Commission denies open‑trench sewer crossing, approves permit to occupy Highway 14A for Hidden Pines sewer

At the March 24 meeting the Lawrence County Commission followed the recommendation of Highway Superintendent John Bey and denied Hayworth Enterprises, LLC’s request to install an 8‑inch sewer line across Wildburger Road/Highway 14A by open trenching. Bey told the board the county’s standard is to require boring to protect the road surface; the applicant cited extreme rock conditions and uncertain elevations as reasons they preferred open trenching. Bey reported that a subcontractor later said boring had a high likelihood of success but would cost more because it required different equipment.

Michael Hayworth of Hayworth Enterprises and Anthony Theodorou of ATAC were present to explain the request. After discussion, the motion (moved Tysdal, second Ewing) denied the open‑trench permit and instead approved a permit to occupy county highway right‑of‑way for underground facilities for construction of the sewer line, with the minutes noting that failure to accomplish the occupancy in accordance with permit provisions would render the permit null and void and could require removal or full restoration at the applicant’s expense.

The permit references the work location approximately 0.17 miles from coordinates 44°23'53.79"N 103°36'15.13"W and identifies the crossing as located in Section 14 T5N, R4E. The motion carried unanimously.