OTTAWA — The Franklin County Commission has delayed action again on a request from Rural Water District 4 to build an entrance to a proposed $1.3 million water tower southwest of Ottawa. The entrance would violate a county policy that prevents new road entrances being built too close to an existing entrance. This time, the delay is weather- related, said county administrator Lisa Johnson during Monday’s commission study session. Because of the drop in temperatures, it’s not likely that contractors will be able to pour concrete for the tower until spring, said Johnson and water district board member Butch Riddle. The district has a couple of other options but the board believes they’ll be more expensive or troublesome and is reluctant to pursue those, Butch Riddle, water district board member, said. Once the district requests a special permit for the tower, contractors can start excavating the site and building fences around it during the winter, Riddle said. Commissioners said they’ll use the time to review the road-entrance policy and see if an exception can be crafted.
Tuesday, Dec. 7, 2:30 p.m.
