The Starke County Commissioners entertained a request from a resident about the abandonment of a road during their meeting this week.
Highway Superintendent Rik Ritzler explained that resident Dan Gumz just bought property on 200 East north of 50 S. from 50 S. to the dead end and Division Road from 300 East to the dead end that meet. The previous owner gated the road to keep out trespassers and the county hasn’t maintained it for about 25 years, according to Ritzler. The road is in the county inventory. However Gumz asked if the county would like to abandon the road or resume maintenance.
Commission President Donnie Binkley was asked to look at the road and he stated that he doesn’t want any county property vacated. There is a culvert that needs changed and the road needs re-stoned.
Commissioner Kathy Norem said if the county is to maintain the road, then the gate would have to be removed as a gated road could be recognized as a private road.
After much discussion, the commissioners suggested getting opinions from the adjacent land owners on their opinion about the ownership of the road and if the road is to remain under the maintenance of the land owners. If the wish is for the county to maintain the road, the gate would need to be removed.
The commissioners will get an update at their next meeting.
