Pioneer and AquaBounty file a second appeal of the Williams County commissioners’ decision to deny their use of a right of way.

Pioneer and AquaBounty Technologies file a second appeal of the Williams County commissioners’ decision to deny their use of a right of way. Oral arguments have been set for January. AquaBounty wants to build two utility lines, one for raw water and one for treated water on county right of way, to service its proposed facility in Pioneer. It would gift the lines to Pioneer for maintenance and could be used by other companies in the area. Commissioners have denied their request to use the right of way three times, citing it doesn’t constitute a public utility. AquaBounty and the village of Pioneer filed an appeal on the second rejection in April. All parties involved filed briefs and responses before Pioneer and AquaBounty filed another appeal on Oct. 10. The basis for the appeal is the same in that the appellants call the decision unconstitutional and unreasonable, among other things. Judge Reeve Kelsey, who was assigned to the case following the recusal of Judge J.T. Stelzer, made an order to consolidate the two appeals. Kelsey was also assigned to the new appeal case.