Despite questions raised by the County Attorney, Road Superintendent and by a few County Commissioners, the Greene County Commission Monday night voted 18-3 to add portions of the Old Erwin Highway and Richlands Road to the Official County Road Map. Road Committee Chair Tim White and committee member Chase Murray voted no as did Commissioner Larkin Clemmer.
Debate over whether the portion of the Old Erwin Highway should have been considered an official county road decades ago was related to then Road Superintendent Jim Saulsbury signing off on it as such. The road however, was never added to the official county road list. Current Road Superintendent Kevin Swatsell says the highway department often signs off on roads in order for plats and setbacks to be reviewed, but that action does not make it a “county road’. The roads in question last night have been considered “public roads” but not official county roads. The action Monday will require those roads to be added to the 1208 miles of roadway already maintained by the county. Jeff Idell with Idell Construction addressed the Commission prior to their vote. His company has constructed three houses in that area over the past two years. Building permits are not allowed by law to be issued on “public roads”, only those adopted by a city or county.
Concerns were voiced by some that the action is not consistent with previous requests of roads begin added to the official list, and could affect such requests moving forward.
