Property owner asks Putnam County for proof of right-of-way to 9-1-1 radio tower

Jill Oliver Thornton, a property owner and small-business owner in Putnam County, told the Putnam County Commission during public comment that the county is crossing her land without payment to access a 9-1-1 emergency radio tower located on Poplar Fork Road at Coal Mountain. "I have requested, and my attorney also has requested documentation or proof of this," Thornton said, adding she received a recent survey by Mead & Hunt showing she owns the property.

Thornton told the commission she was told county staff had been using a roadway over her land and that a gate on her property limits access; she asked the county to provide proof of its asserted right-of-way or to compensate her and said she would remove the gate and pursue legal action if she did not receive documentation within 60 days.

County counsel Larry Fry said the county had shared documents with Thornton's attorney and asked whether Thornton wanted the county to share the materials directly with her. Fry later said he had provided information to her attorney. The commission agreed to have Fry provide the records directly to Thornton if she preferred to receive them herself.

Thornton also said Michael White, a county staffer who earlier met with her, had discussed the possibility of a future expansion of the tower footprint; she told commissioners she had considered selling but decided instead she would seek other remedies if documentation was not provided.

The commission did not take formal action on Thornton's request during the meeting; Fry said staff would send the records the county has to Thornton or her counsel.