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County engineer warns truck-permit paperwork may give drivers a "false sense" of where they can travel; company says it only prepares paperwork
Summary
At the Huron County Commissioners meeting April 21, a representative of Integrity Permits defended his company's paperwork practices while the county engineer warned that current permitting practices risk sending truck drivers onto county roads and structures without proper route coordination.
Mark Paule, representing Integrity Permits, told the Huron County Commissioners during public comment on April 21 that he believes his company "is in full compliance with what [his] company is supposed to be doing." He said Integrity Permits handles permit paperwork for three townships and that the townships themselves authorize permits only for roads under their jurisdiction.
Lee Tansey, Huron County Engineer, warned the board that the paperwork practice is "giving the truck drivers a false sense that they can travel freely," creating potential safety and liability concerns for county bridges and culverts. Tansey said county structures are run to the same standards as the Ohio Department of Transportation and urged that heavy-route determinations come through the Engineer’s Office so routes cause the least damage.
Commissioner Tom Dunlap urged Mr. Paule to "be conversational with all parties involved," and Assistant Prosecutor Randal Strickler recommended that Integrity Permits and the Engineer’s Office work together to clarify which roads and structures are covered by township-issued permits. Mr. Paule said Integrity Permits does not authorize or issue permits for county roads and that permit recipients are instructed to contact the Engineer’s Office.
The public comment exchange identified the immediate follow-up task: better coordination among townships, Integrity Permits and the Huron County Engineer to make clear which roadways and structures are authorized for heavy hauler use and to reduce the risk of damage and related liability. The commissioners did not take formal action during the public comment period.
