Henry County Supervisors discuss speed limit, road name change

MT. PLEASANT - The Henry County Board of Supervisors met Thursday, Nov. 13 and discussed topics such as a temporary speed limit, a transfer of money to Secondary Roads Department and the renaming of a road.

A temporary speed limit will be instated on Old Highway 34, both directions, for the duration of the 235th Street bridge project. The schedule of the project itself is uncertain, with a meeting between Secondary Roads and contractors to take place on Thursday, Nov. 20. The tentative start date is Dec. 1.

Seneca will begin replacing the County Secondary Roads Department's fuel tanks this week. The county took pains to empty its gasoline and diesel pumps beforehand.

$500,000 dollars was transferred from the Henry County Community Betterment fund to the Secondary Roads Department. These funds are intended to provide operating capital for Secondary Roads’ many projects, such as shoulder repairs, brush clearing, culvert and bridge replacement, and snow plowing efforts.

Deb Savage announced her intent to retire from the Henry County Health Board, citing term limits, but was retained. Savage's resignation and replacement were delayed until “The End of The Year,” as the Board of Supervisors hoped to gauge public interest in the position. Brian Messer was recommended by Public Health head Katie Reuter to replace Savage.

Upon recommendation of the County 911 board, a 150 foot stretch of road was changed from Benton Avenue to Benton Road, to match the rest of Benton Road, which it interrupts. 911 addressing did not properly locate one home on the stretch, thus the 911 board supported the name change to solve this. If a fire, police or EMS emergency were reported, there would have been difficulty finding the residence.

M&B Lawncare was hired for snow removal and salt applications on county parking lots. Far cheaper than the closest alternative, the board approved this decision unanimously.

Board of Adjustment

Later, at the Board of Adjustment that same day, two matters were further discussed.

The Towers LLC was awarded a use permit to build a 290-foot self supporting cell tower in Wayne Township, 1625 Highway 218. The tower is designed to fall in on itself, rather than to the side, thus not posing much risk to any structures nearby. The permit will be void if the tower is not constructed within 1 year of this decision.

The property owner was ultimately satisfied, citing Towers LLC's transparency in answers to his questions.

“The big thing for me was no guide wires. Every question I asked was done the way I wanted… The safest way and the least construction..”

The tower was approved by all parties.

Union electric asked to construct an electric substation in the 1400 grid, near Highway 34 for Ameren. However, this project drew considerable concern from a local property owner. The gentleman, asking about the location of new power lines, was not satisfied by the representative’s answers.

“Where is the line going to be?” asked one citizen, "This doesn't tell me anything.”

Company representatives could not provide satisfactory answers. Though their line would not get any closer to the gentleman's property, the status of ITC Midwest's new line, to service the substation as well, was not clear. Easements are being applied for, but nothing is set in stone. At the very least, company policy stipulates a 75-foot minimum distance between power lines and any nearby structures. This proximity, according to Ameren officials, poses no ill health effects, no different from daily use of household appliances.

Nevertheless, the motion was approved. The concerned party declined any further identification. Construction would begin May 2026 with completion estimated by December 2027.

Call Marilyn Higgins at 319-368-8895 or email her at marilyn.higgins@southeastiowaunion.com