A discussion concerning problems on two EMS lanes in the Barbee Lake chain came before the Kosciusko County Commissioners on Tuesday.

Greg Mitchell, who lives on EMS B48 Lane, said there are problems with people using the lane, which is public but privately maintained. Mitchell said children are using the lane to ride four-wheelers and golf carts and are tearing up the road.

County attorney Mike Miner said the road is a public way and therefore the public has a right to access it. He suggested Mitchell contact an attorney for the proper procedure to vacate a section of the road. However, nearby property owners must also agree to the road vacation.

“There’s certain requirements,” Miner stated. “It may solve all your problems.”

Five people for the Barbee Neighborhood Watch Association also spoke of problems. The five residents live on EMS B42 Lane and said that they, too, have had similar problems.

“We’ve had lots of complaints,” said Barbara Sledge, head of the association. “It’s daily. We are just trying to keep our neighborhood safe.”

Commissioner Bob Conley told the residents that the problems are a law enforcement issue. The residents spoke to Sheriff Rocky Goshert, who was at the meeting, who vowed to look into the problems.

In other news, commissioners signed a letter of support of the county health department. The letter states that, “In these challenging economic times, we see no purpose in requiring that a certified soil scientist be hired by a homeowner every time an application is made for a septic permit.”

The state is requiring all local heath departments in Indiana use a certified soil scientist every time a septic application is filed with the health department. Neal Brown, the county’s deputy administrator and environmental scientist, said he sees no reason for the mandate by the state.

“The vast majority of soils in Kosciusko County can be easily classified by our staff,“ Brown said. “They are very familiar with the types of soils that exist in Kosciusko County. We have employed, for many years, a highly qualified staff of on-site personnel.”

Dave Patterson’s petition for lake signage near Yellow Creek Lake on SR 14 was also discussed. Patterson said two signs were taken down over a year ago along CR 600, near SR 14. He has been trying to get them put back since then.

Indiana Department of Transportation told Patterson there must be two conditions for a lake to have signs. First, a portion of the lake must be owned by the Indiana Department of Natural Resources. Second, there must be a public access site with at least one boat ramp and 500 feet of frontage. Conley said he will make some phone calls and look into the matter.

Commissioners are president Bob Conley, Ron Truex and Brad Jackson. The next meeting will be at 9 a.m. Tuesday, July 31, at the county courthouse in Warsaw.