May 8, 2014
Nebraska

Several items discussed during Antelope County Supervisor’s meeting

The Neligh News and Leader | May 8, 2014 | www.nelighnews.com

Culverts, wind power and electrical lines were discussed at the May 6 regular meeting of the Antelope County Supervisors.

Dave Jensen, representing Jensen Construction of Stanton, was present to inquire about renting culverts from Antelope County. Jensen sold five culverts to the county for use during the Old Mill Bridge project and only one of the culverts is currently in use.

Jensen offered a proposal of renting the four unused culverts at $1,000 each with a stipulation of paying $3,700 per culvert if they were damaged in a flood. Upon the recommendation of County Attorney Joe Abler, the supervisors tabled the decision as the culverts should be considered surplus property of the county and guidelines for the sale of surplus property would need to be followed.

Homeowner and land owner Gary Borer appeared in front of the board, requesting discussion surrounding the wind farms near Elgin. Borer asked about the condition of roads in the area. Borer questioned “Do we have gravel coming?”

Borer also commented on the paved roads near the Prairie Breeze wind tower project. “That road south of me; is that going to get fixed? Someone is going to get hurt.”

Borer referenced the deterioration of county roads south of Elgin since the construction of the Prairie Breeze Wind Farm.

The supervisors told Borer they had discussed the condition of the roads in the area with Road Superintendent Brian McDonald and the roads were being addressed.

Borer recommended the board re-evaluate the county setback rules when allowing additional wind towers to be built in the county. He said the noise generated from two towers within 1000’ of his home has been disruptive. He also questioned the safety factor of the towers.

According to a statement given to the Neligh News and Leader by officials from Invenergy, owners of the Prairie Breeze Wind Farm, two blade failures have recently occured. Monday, April 21, a section of blade fell to the ground at the facility’s unit 51, located east of the intersection of 170 Ave. and 125th Street in Boone County, southwest of Elgin. On Sunday, May 4, pieces of a blade on turbine 11, fell to the ground. That turbine is located eight miles southwest of Elgin near the intersection of 835 Rd and 515 Ave. in Antelope County.

In other matters, the board:

• appointed Don Carter of Tilden to the Antelope County Veteran Service Committee. Carter will represent Tilden Legion Post 170 and will take over the position after the retirement of Keith Redinbaugh on June 30

• heard from Josh Gray of Hammer Insurance of Orchard asking for an opportunity to quote group health insurance for the employees and elected officials of Antelope County.

• authorized the county clerk to advertise for bids for a county auditor. The county auditor position is a three year contract that is currently up for renewal.

• reviewed proposed health insurance rate increases, averaging five percent, from Blue Cross/Blue Shield. The current plan is up for renewal on July 1.

• heard from Loren Haselhorst, representing Christiansen Family Farms regarding placing a temporary hose across 517 Avenue in Blaine and Royal townships to pump liquid manure. Board Chairman Jerry Schwager told Haselhorst the hose needed to be marked with flags.

• approved a permit requested by Dave Schrader to place a permanent electric line beneath 527 Avenue in Custer Township.

• discussed road closures of 1/2 mile of 842 Rd., east of the intersectio with 521 Ave in Elgin Township; one mile of 517 Ave in the southeast corner of Royal township and placement of a permanent stop sign at the intersection of 523 Ave and 835 Rd. in Cedar township to stop westbount traffic.

• Heard an update from representatives of NPPD regarding the Neligh-Hoskins and R Project transmission lines.


URL to article:  https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2014/05/08/several-items-discussed-during-antelope-county-supervisors-meeting/