PRESS RELEASES

MARCH, 2010

March 18, 2010

PRESS RELEASE                                                                    (IMMEDIATE RELEASE)

According to County Engineer, Frank W. Anderson, the annual spraying for weed control along county roads and bridge approaches will soon begin.  Mowing will also begin on county road rights-of-way.  Any property owner who wishes not to have property sprayed or mowed should post temporary signs at the location and notify the Fairfield County Road Department at (740) 687-7050.

Anderson reminds property owners that mailboxes and objects placed in county road rights-of-way must comply with local and state standards.  Personalized mailboxes and objects such as large boulders placed near the road may enhance the property appearance, but those not permitted become liabilities if injury or death results from an accident.  Some objects 6” or more above grade may be a hazard in a road run-off incident.

Regulations for a rural mailbox in Fairfield County are based on the current Ohio Department of Transportation design standards.  All supports for rural mailboxes shall be of the breakaway type.  Standard supports are a 4” x 4” timber post, a 4-1/2” round timber post, or a maximum 2” I.D. standard strength steel pipe (2-3/8” O.D.).  The leading edge of the mailbox itself shall be 2-1/2’ minimum from the edge of the pavement.  Mailbox posts shall not be encased in concrete.

The County has a 60-foot right-of-way for road maintenance purposes on most county roads (right-of-way is intended for highway and utility work).  This is a 30-foot measurement in each direction from the road centerline.  Trees shall not be placed within this area.  Shrubs and flowers should not be placed within the road right-of-way as well, for they can become a sight obstruction and could possibly be destroyed during highway and utility work.  Landscaping timbers, boulders, fences, etc. as noted above also constitute a road hazard.  Many such hazards will be addressed upon discovery or in conjunction with road improvement projects; however, fences in place prior to the 1981 permit system will be required to be relocated outside of the county road right-of-way upon need for their replacement and/or repair.  As with past policy, no permits are issued for a new fence installation within the right-of-way. 

Any work done or any object placed within a county road right-of-way must be approved by the County Engineer.  Free applications for permits are available from the Administrator of Technical Services at the County Engineer’s Office.