OSWEGO — Labette County commissioners agreed on Monday to refer a phone tower project to the county’s zoning board.
Charlie Morse, the county’s emergency management director, said he’s been working with Verizon for about 18 months until zoning was approved.
Verizon wants to install a 420-foot tower at 13000 and Lyons Road, on the northeast corner of that property. The company wants to start construction.
Commissioners thought the zoning process wouldn’t cause many delays and that they thought area landowners should at least be notified of the project, at least those within the fall distance of the tower.
“Let the community that’s being affected have some say so is all I’m saying,” Commissioner Terry Weidert said.
In other business, the commission: — Agreed to renew a contract with Rodney Burns of Chanute to conduct the county’s audit and to assist with budget preparations next year. He will charge the county $21,250 for the audit and $1,400 plus expenses to assist with the budget.
— Met with Anderson County Appraiser Adam Wilson in closed session for 25 minutes to discuss non-elected personnel. No action followed when commissioners returned to open session. Commissioners are looking for options in the county appraiser’s office.
— Agreed to allow Morse to apply for a grant for his department. The grant funding depends on the state but it could be from $11,000 to $19,000.
— Heard that Labette No. 9 Fire District wants to have 10 loads of gravel added to their lot on Main Street. Commissioners agreed to five loads.
— Heard about a septic system issue at a property at 9077 Gray Road. The new owner is from Texas and wants the property for duck hunting, said Morse, the county sanitation officer. The house is not livable and the septic system won’t pass inspection, he said. Commissioners discussed options to make sure the sanitation code was followed and that it did not impede the property sale. They thought if the landowner showed proof that he had broken the septic line that would be reasonable to allow the property to pass a sanitation inspection.
