When a petition, signed by at least fifty-one per cent of the land owners or lot owners, residents of the county, who are to be specifically taxed or assessed for such improvement as provided in this section, or signed by the owner of the right to mine coal lying under or adjacent to the proposed improvement, is presented to the board of township trustees asking for the construction, reconstruction, resurfacing, or improvement of any public road or part thereof, the board shall, within thirty days after such petition is presented, go upon the line of the proposed improvement and, after viewing it, determine whether the public convenience and welfare require that such improvement be made. If the board determines to proceed with the improvement, it shall so declare by appropriate resolution, which resolution shall set forth the general route and termini of the improvement and the general manner in which such road is to be improved and such other information as the board deems necessary. Such resolution may also provide for the establishment of an appropriate detour route or for the temporary closing of the road to be improved. The petition shall state the method of paying the compensation, damages, and costs of the improvement desired by the petitioners, who may request that the same be apportioned and paid in any one of the methods provided by section 5573.07 of the Revised Code, provided, that if a petition signed by the owner of the right to mine coal lying under or adjacent to the proposed improvement, is filed with a board of township trustees as provided in this section, such petitioner shall pay the costs and expenses incurred by such board in connection with the proceedings initiated by such petition, and the costs and expenses of making such improvement including compensation and damages, and including the cost of relocation of any conduits, cables, wires, towers, poles, or other equipment or appliances of any public utility, located on, over, or under the portion of the road affected by such improvement, and, on demand by the board, shall give bond to the satisfaction of the board in such amount as the board determines, to secure the payment of all such costs and expenses.

Effective Date: 01-10-1961 .