The Allen County Commissioners on Jan. 3 approved an encroachment agreement allowing Indiana Michigan Power Company to maintain and expand above-ground electric transmission facilities crossing Hand Road, West Hill Road and Huguenard Road.

A county representative said I&M is upgrading its facilities and that the county has executed similar agreements previously to ensure maintenance access. The motion to approve the encroachment agreement carried by voice vote with no recorded opposition.

The agreement provides I&M access to perform work and maintain transmission lines in the county rights-of-way; no financial terms or easement conditions were specified in the public record of the meeting.

Commissioners indicated this was one of several similar agreements executed in the past year to accommodate utility upgrades.