Commissioners require Ramer to move fence out of right-of-way

Sunday, August 25, 2024 at 11:10 PM

By Kathy Bottorff

The Marshall County Commissioners stood their ground and are requiring Harley Ramer at 20639 Michigan Road, south of Argos to move his fence out of the county’s right-of-way.

Earlier this summer a neighbor to the north, Dale Blanch, approached the commissioners about the fence that was out in the county’s right-of-way and said he couldn’t get his tractor off the road. He was also concerned that others would follow along pushing their fences further out towards the road.

The commissioners discussed the violation with Highway Superintendent Jason Peters who said he knew about it but didn’t mind because there was still space to get off the roadway and it was easier for his crew to keep the right-of-way mowed.

The commissioners had County Surveyor Craig Cultice survey the property to determine the exact location of the county’s right-of-way.

After hearing from the county attorney, Jim Clevenger, the commissioners decided to have Ramer move the fence.

During the last commissioner’s meeting, Harley Ramer came hoping to find a solution for himself and the county. At one point he suggested donating the fence to the county, but the commissioners weren’t interested. He also asked about a variance.

Ramer questioned why the county doesn’t mow the entire right-of-way and said the milkman complains of the view exiting the driveway. Ramer also complained about the sumac that has grown way out in the county’s right-of-way.

Superintendent Peters said they do the best they can but there are areas where they don’t mow back to the right-of-way line.