County approves utility boring permits for ComEd, AT&T and Surf Broadband

At a recent County Highway Department meeting, County Highway Department staff moved to approve a set of utility boring permits for ComEd, AT&T and Surf Broadband covering multiple county roads. The group voted to carry the motion.

County Highway Department staff said the permits are for routine utilities work: ComEd will bore across County Highway 8 in Deer Park Township and install a new service on County Highway 45 in Groveland Township; AT&T will place an aerial line and a short bore at an intersection on County Highway 55 in Fall River Township; and Surf Broadband will install a fiber-optic line along the east side of County Highway 24 from U.S. 34 to Leland. "They're installing a fiber optic line along the East Side of Highway 24 from US 34 up to Leland," staff said.

The staff member asked for approval and said, "I made a motion to approve the utility boring permits." A board member seconded, and the clerk called the vote: "All in favor? Aye. Opposed? Motion carried." The action was recorded as approved; no roll-call vote or individual votes were recorded in the transcript.

The permits were presented as routine and were recommended by staff. Commissioners asked whether the county ever denies boring permits; staff replied that the county can require changes to depth or location and has done so in the past but does not typically refuse permits outright because the work usually serves residents with power, gas or communications needs. No additional conditions or contingencies were recorded in the meeting minutes.

The department noted no public comments were made on the permits. The approvals were handled as consent items and will proceed under the county's existing permitting process.