Commissioners approve amended right-of-way easement with Wolverine Power on Norris Road property

The Board of Commissioners on March 11 approved a second reaffirmation and amendment to a right-of-way easement agreement with Wolverine Power Supply Cooperative Inc. The easement will permit Wolverine to shift existing easement boundaries on county-owned property near Norris Road to accommodate utility work and maintenance near an existing substation.

Louella told the board she had met with Wolverine representatives and that the request is a boundary shift to an earlier-approved easement. Materials in the meeting packet included a color diagram showing the original easement and the proposed revised boundary; Louella said the county’s Norris Road parcel is roughly 40 acres and that tree removal in the new boundary area would likely be required. She said Wolverine offered to leave removed timber on site and that nearby school officials had expressed interest in retaining wood removed near a school building.

Questions and answers: Commissioners asked whether the county attorney needed to review the agreement; Louella said the amendment shifts boundaries of an existing, previously approved easement and described the language as routine. The board asked county staff to contact Cooperative Extension about the availability of previously harvested wood proceeds.

Vote: The motion to approve the second reaffirmation and amendment passed on a roll-call vote with the commissioners present voting aye.

Ending: County staff said they will follow up with Cooperative Extension about timber access and the county’s options for wood from the clearing.