Boggs tenders resignation as county road superintendent

Antelope County is without a road superintendent.

Following a nearly two-hour executive session on July 2, road boss Aaron Boggs announced, "I would like to formally submit my resignation at this time."

What lead to the resignation was not made public.

Commissioners entered executive session for personnel matters at 9:58 a.m. Chairman Charlie Henery asked Boggs to join commissioners at 10:38 a.m. He exited the closed session at 11:38. At 11:50, Boggs re-entered the exeutive session and left at 11:55 a.m.

At 12:03 p.m., commissioners closed executive session and returned to the commissioners' meeting room to continue the regular meeting.

Henery asked Boggs if he would "like to step forward."

At that point, Boggs tendered his resignation.

County clerk Lisa Payne asked Henery about a timeline regarding Boggs' announcement.

"Immediately," Henery said.

During the July 9 meeting, road foreman Lee Kluthe presented the department's business, including approval of two oversize permits.

Discussion with Kluthe about overseeing the road department also occurred, with Commissioner Casey Dittrich saying it's possible the entire road department could be restructured to better meet needs in the county.

A complete overview of the future of the position will appear in the July 17 edition of SAM.

Commissioners also held a public hearing regarding the closure of approximately one mile of 842nd Road, between 531 and 532 avenues. The hearing came after a petition with approximately 20 signatures, circulated by Terri Larson, of Tilden, was submitted.

Larson attended the hearing and noted the road is not travelable except via utility vehicle. She expressed concerns about cans and trash left by "a drinking crowd" along the property and near a bridge.

Highway superintendent Brian McDonald recomended the close the road and return the right of way to adjacent landowners.

Dittrich contacted a property owner to see if he had concerns about the closure of a bridge in the middle of the roadway. The landowner said he understood if the road closes, the county will no longer be responsible for maintaining the bridge and road.

After exiting the hearing, McDonald discussed details of the closure and possible signage that should be put in place, including a "road closed" sign and a double arrow.

In other business, commissioners learned no bids were submitted to replace portions of the sidewalks on the north and west side of the courthouse. Commissioners agreed to continue to look for a contractor to conduct the work.