Heavy equipment gets one-week dispensation

Enel Green Power will be able to drive normally forbidden metal-track vehicles on county roads for a week, provided a grader blade immediately follows them.

The dispensation, granted Monday by the county commission, is designed to help Enel catch up on weather-delayed work related to its northern wind farm.

Approval came after commissioner Dianne Novak expressed concern about roads Enel is maintaining near towers.

Others, including at times new county engineer Brice Goebel, seemed to defend Enel’s work.

Novak opposed the dispensation, saying she was unsure she could grant approval because state law forbids metal-tracked vehicles on roads.

Enel contends this applies only to paved roads.

Commissioners also discussed, but took no action on, possible revisions to the job description of road and bridge superintendent Jesse Hamm now that Goebel has assumed responsibility for the road and bridge department.