Adams County supervisors vote to pursue legal review of gated county right-of-way; approve garden project and several public works actions

Adams County Board of Supervisors members discussed and signaled intent to pursue legal action after a private landowner blocked a deeded county right-of-way on Carthage/Carpenter Point Road, approved a community gardening project at the Extension Office, and approved multiple public-works motions including awards of emergency watershed and road-construction bids and a shower project change order.

The board held extended discussion about a right-of-way the county purchased in 1983 that supervisors say is now blocked by a gate. Supervisor discussion centered on restoring unimpeded county access and whether the county should seek an injunction. After debate the board directed staff to obtain legal review and to prepare steps toward enforcement; the item was left open for follow-up and to return at a future meeting for formal legal action.

The right-of-way matter drew sustained comment from supervisors and members of the public. Resident Benedict Udemba described recurring erosion and access problems at 225 Morgantown Road and told the board his property and power line have been affected; NRCS declined an Emergency Watershed Protection application for the site on the grounds that erosion did not pose an immediate threat to the house. Supervisors asked staff to coordinate on engineering and legal options and to bring back formal recommendations.

Separately the board approved a request from the Adams County Master Gardeners to use land at the county Extension Office for an educational garden and related amenities. Joanna King, identified herself as “an active member of the Adams County Master Gardeners,” told the board the group reported 2,700 volunteer hours in 2024 with an estimated value…