Putnam County commissioners approve two road abandonments and authorize City of Eatonton gas line

The Putnam County Board of Commissioners voted unanimously on Oct. 3, 2025, to declare two county roads abandoned and to authorize the City of Eatonton to run a natural gas line behind the county Public Works property.

Chairman Bill Sharp presided over the meeting at the Putnam County Administration Building in Eatonton. Commissioner Jeff Wooten moved to declare Joe Wooten Road abandoned and to authorize the chairman to sign the related documents; Commissioner Richard Garrett seconded the motion, which passed with Chairman Sharp, Commissioner Garrett and Commissioner Wooten recorded as voting yea. The board then approved a separate motion, also 3-0, to declare Wooten Road abandoned and authorize corresponding signatures.

County Manager Paul Van Haute described advantages to permitting the City of Eatonton to install a gas line behind the Public Works property and explained the route shown on a map provided to the board. Commissioner Garrett moved and Commissioner Wooten seconded a motion allowing the City to run the gas line as depicted; the motion passed unanimously. The minutes record a copy of the map and related documents as part of the official record.

During the meeting Matt Poyner presented the quarterly report from the Putnam Development Authority; the presentation was entered into the minute book. No formal action was taken on the report during the meeting.

The board approved its consent agenda, including minutes from the Sept. 16, 2025 regular meeting and the Sept. 26, 2025 called meeting. No members of the public signed in for public comment.

In other business, County Manager Paul Van Haute said, at the request of Commissioner Tom McElhenney, the county will offer a Carl Vinson Institute of Government training class on development and applicable zoning items for commissioners and Planning & Development staff on Tuesday, Nov. 12. Commissioner Richard Garrett reminded residents the last day to register to vote for upcoming county and city elections is Monday, Oct. 6, and noted community events including Shakespeare on the Lawn and the Butler Baker Alumni Project Community Day. Commissioner Jeff Wooten reported a recent inquiry about road striping; Van Haute said contractor Atlas will complete a punch list for final striping and explained there was an issue with Peak returning for striping.

A motion to adjourn passed unanimously and the meeting ended at approximately 10:28 a.m.