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Morgan County hears updates on Waverly wastewater sale, school road plans and truck-route concerns
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Summary
County staff described an MOU for the sale of the Waverly wastewater plant and property, said a school-related roundabout was removed after land-acquisition issues reducing the countys expected contribution, and discussed truck-route and local road coordination; staff will continue follow-up.
Morgan County staff on May 13 told the Board of Commissioners that the proposed sale of the Waverly Wastewater Treatment Plant is advancing and that several local transportation projects tied to school construction and development will need further work and coordination.
Staff said the county entered a memorandum of understanding with the Morgan County Regional Sewer District and the town of Bartersville on the proposed sale of the Waverly wastewater plant, which includes the plant and roughly 30 acres of associated property. Manning was finishing an ALTA survey to clear title and support next steps in offering remaining parcels, and staff said they hope to begin disposing of portions of the property later this year.
On school-related roadwork, staff reported that the originally proposed roundabout near Centennial and Egbert — part of a Martinsville-area plan tied to a new elementary school — has been removed because of multiple complications, including land-acquisition challenges. The countys anticipated contribution to the project decreased from about $3.7 million to about $2.5 million after the change. Staff said alternative geometric solutions, including multiple lanes and turn lanes, may be used if they can be designed to manage traffic flow without taking additional private property.
Residents had complained about flags in ditches near the school site; staff explained those markers were utility locates for construction and said any required easements from private property owners would be compensated. "So just because there's flags out there doesn't mean anybody's taking your property," the staff member said, adding that temporary construction access and right-of-way rules affect notification requirements.
The board also discussed truck routing. Staff reported that Old Dominion is using the Merriman/67 signal and not using Bethel Road, which a resident had flagged as a concern. Board members noted long-term funding constraints and said coordinated, potentially joint, projects may be needed to address truck routing and road improvements.
Staff also said a developer has an option on acreage south of U.S. 70 along Greencastle Road in Morgan County but that progress would require cooperation from Hendricks County property owners and additional right-of-way work.
The April 15 report that included these updates was approved by the board. Staff will continue follow-up on the wastewater sale, the road design alternatives for the school area and potential funding paths.
