Commissioners accept petition to consider abandoning portions of streets and alleys in Toston; appoint commissioner and county surveyor to investigate

Broadwater County commissioners on Sept. 3 accepted a petition signed by local property owners to abandon portions of Pony Street, Hill Street, High Street and several alley intersections in the townsite of Toston.

County staff explained the parish of deeds and historical actions indicate earlier commissioners intended abandonment in some locations but the correct legal process had not been completed. Several property owners now have buildings, wells and drainfields that align with the parcels under discussion, and petition signatures were provided by adjacent freeholders.

The board accepted the petition and appointed Commissioner Swenson and county surveyor Angie Paulson to perform the county's investigation into feasibility, desirability and cost of granting the petition. Staff explained the next administrative steps: the surveyor and the appointed commissioner will inspect the area, prepare findings, and the board will schedule and hold a public hearing on the petition and findings. Petitioner and neighboring property owners will be notified and provided an opportunity for public comment.

Commissioners and the applicant noted the importance of using the correct abandonment process, distinguishing prior "closure" actions in older records from full legal abandonment. The surveyor will prepare a report and staff will return to the commission with recommended next steps and a public hearing schedule.