Dean Karski, a landowner west of Dickinson, urged the Stark County Board of Commissioners to close a section line road he says is being used as an informal racetrack and causes safety and crop‑damage problems. Karski described repeated incidents of all‑terrain vehicles, ATVs and motorcycles driving across private fields, damaging fences and creating safety risks for residents and livestock.

Karski told commissioners his family and neighbors have had gates removed, fences damaged and a manhole cover driven over repeatedly. He asked the county “to get it closed so we can put some signs up saying it's a dead end and try just try to keep some traffic off of there.” Sheriff’s staff and county road staff said a closure would give law enforcement clearer grounds to act.

Commissioners discussed the long-term implications of vacating easements, noting the possibility of future development that could make the easement valuable. County staff and the sheriff suggested an interim approach: officially close the road to public use without vacating the underlying easement, which would allow posting and enforcement while preserving the county’s option to reopen the corridor for future development.

The commission agreed to carry the item to the Oct. 16 meeting and do further research on the appropriate legal mechanism to balance public-safety concerns and potential future development needs. County staff told Karski they would add the closure to the Oct. 16 agenda and encouraged him to attend the follow‑up meeting to provide input.