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northeastern Ohio | Two young guys showed up today and started putting stakes every 100' to mark the road right of way. I asked them what they were up to. They said they were hired by Spectrum to mark the road right of way so that they could lay cable.
I own both sides of the road. It has been in my family for over 80 years. I have done title searches in the past and the only easements that show up are for Ohio Bell (Ohio Bell became part of ATT and then spun off to Verizon and then Frontier) and Ohio Edison . They purchased easements for a few dollars back then and these are recorded at the county courthouse. Spectrum is not connected to any of these businesses.
It is my opinion that Spectrum will need to negotiate an easement before installing anything. They are currently using cable attached to Ohio Edision power poles on the main roads (county and state), but they are now wanting to install below ground on township roads.
I have tile lines, tile outlets, water lines, gas lines, electric lines, culverts, ect. that I have installed or had installed in the areas that Spectrum wants to bury their line. Calling 811 is not going to locate these lines for them. 811 will flag Frontier and Ohio Edison but none of my lines.
I texted one of my township trustees and he was aware of Spectrums plan to install in the road right of way. I mentioned that the road right of way is for the surface only and they will need to get an easement from the landowners because we own the land under the road. He texted back that I was correct and he would "do some checking". In the past, this means that he will call the county prosecutor for legal advise (whenever the township needs legal advise, that is who they call).
My question to NAT: Do you think Spectrum needs to secure an easement from me before installation? Or do you think they have the right to use the township road right of way?
PS: a few years ago, a local well driller tried to use the road right of way to install a gas pipeline because I would not accept his low ball offer ($1000). I called the trustees and they put a stop to it. The well driller then offered my neighbor on the other side of the road $5000 and he signed the easement. | |
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Spectrum wants to lay cable in the road ROW but no easement?
