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Commissioners report resident safety and dust concerns on Vedder Road; Road Commission meeting planned
Summary
Commissioners Bob Teunessen and Mike Callton reported resident complaints about manure haulers and tanker trucks traveling roughly 55 mph on Vedder Road, citing dust, chatter bumps and safety risks; commissioners met with the Road Commission and noted dust-control treatments have been applied but problems persist.
Commissioner Bob Teunessen told the Barry County Board on June 9 that residents near Vedder Road have raised safety concerns about manure haulers and tanker trucks traveling at high speeds — “approximately 55 miles per hour,” according to the minutes — which residents said is exacerbating dust, creating chatter bumps and endangering others who use the road.
Teunessen said he and Commissioner Mike Callton met with the Road Commission to discuss the complaints. He reported that multiple dust-control treatments have been applied to the road but that the weight and speed of the trucks continue to contribute to ongoing issues.
Commissioner Jon Smelker agreed with Teunessen’s concerns and noted his recent meetings with the Judicial Council and Court Security; he plans to attend a Thornapple Township meeting next week. Callton reiterated resident concerns and listed several upcoming township and village meetings where the matter may be discussed further.
Why it matters: The complaints involve road safety and maintenance on a county roadway. Concerns about heavy truck speeds and resulting road deterioration or visibility hazards can affect public safety and require coordinated action with the Road Commission and township officials.
Next steps and context: The minutes record that commissioners met with the Road Commission; no enforcement action or vote was recorded at this meeting. Commissioners indicated they will continue to engage township officials and the Road Commission on possible remedies.
Attribution: Statements in this account are attributed to Commissioner Bob Teunessen and other commissioners as recorded in the June 9 meeting minutes. The minutes do not record direct statements from Road Commission staff or from the truck operators themselves.
