By Leigh Ann Rutledge
FPS Reporter
August 25, 2009
Pedestrian safety was the main topic of discussion Monday at Carrollton Council.
Phill Rutledge, transportation director for Carrollton Exempted Village School District, notified council the district has changed times for the beginning and ending of the school day. These changes resulted in needing to install new signs restricting parking and stopping during certain times on 2nd and 3rd St., NE. Rutledge asked council for permission to post four new signs restricting parking and stopping on 2nd St. NE. during the hours of 8-9 a.m. and 1:45-3:30 p.m. Signs posted on 3rd St. NE restrict parking or stopping during the hours of 6:45-7:30 a.m. and 1:45-2:30 p.m.
Rutledge also asked for and was granted permission to close the alley at the Fine Arts room to 2nd St. N.E. between 3-3:30 p.m. each day school is in session.
“The signs allow us to load and unload buses in a safe and quick manner. We are closing the alley while loading eight buses on 2nd St., NE. This closure will stop traffic from coming through the alley during this time also allowing for safe and quick loading.”
Rutledge informed council Mr. Ed Darnley, principal of Carrollton Elementary School, had notified parents of the correct procedure for dropping off and picking up elementary students.
Another safety issue was addressed by council regarding closing the square for the annual Scarecrows on the Square event. Tabled at the last council meeting, Elaine Painting and Amy Rutledge asked to have the entire square closed Sept. 26 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. when participants are building their scarecrows. Painting said, “There is a threat of children running across the street and people wandering around while building their scarecrows and they aren’t paying attention.” Council discussed only closing the east side (next to the courthouse) to allow trucking traffic going to SR 332 through. Rutledge said, “We are asking for both sides to be closed because it is a safety issue. There are tons of kids who participate in this event.” Councilman Bob Dunlap questioned whether the area could be barricaded off but still allow traffic flow.
Police Chief Ron Yeager and Street Superintendent Bill Grimes were asked about potential problems with routing traffic. Yeager explained, “The big problem is with semis. They often miss the closed sign and are stuck at the bottom of the square with no where to go. Closing the courthouse side of the square does not cause a traffic problem. But what you approve, we will enforce.”
Mayor Dave Flanary told council he received complaints from business owners regarding closing the west side of square and customers having no place to park. Painting told council, “There are more people on the square and more potential for business on this day than any other Saturday. Safety of the participants is an issue.”
Yeager said he could schedule a part-time officer to help with traffic control and safety issues during those hours. He commented if kids are crossing the street and not using the crosswalks, maybe they need to issue jaywalking tickets.
When council members questioned the village being responsible for paying for an extra police officer during that time, Councilwoman Sharon Ott responded saying, “It’s safety. How can we put a price tag on safety?”
After much discussion, council approved closing only the east side of the square. They also granted the committee permission to place signs on the top and bottom of the square from Sept. 12 through Oct. 19.
Usually the scarecrows and signs are taken down after the Algonquin Mill Festival but the committee asked that they be allowed to remain on display until Oct. 19 thus including the annual Carroll County Antique Collector’s Club Pioneer Farm Equipment, Quilt, Garden Tractor and Car Show. This event is scheduled for Oct. 16-18 at the Carroll County Fairgrounds.
Rutledge thanked council and said, “Entry forms are available at Ashton’s 5 & 10, the Convention and Visitor’s Bureau and at the Carrollton Arts Center. We would like to see the village participate in the event.”
In an unrelated matter, council learned from Village Administrator Robert Fowler, a meeting was held Aug. 19 concerning supplying water to Atwood Lake Resort and Conference Center outside Dellroy. According to Fowler, the lodge is under Ohio Environmental Protection Agency Findings and Orders and must find an alternative water source. He explained the Lodge, the second largest employer in the county, helps fund the Convention and Visitor’s Bureau and contributes $75,000 per year to commissioners, noting this is why the village is involved in the talks. Fowler said the Atwood Water and Sewer Regional District is going to do a study to determine the best option for the new water source. They are required to have three options for the study. Fowler ended the discussion stating no decisions were made. He also noted this was not a public meeting and only one uninvited person attended the meeting but was allowed to stay. In an earlier phone conversation, Fowler said no elected officials would be present at the meeting, therefore it was not open to the public.
Clerk treasurer Judi Noble informed council, they are responsible for an indigent burial of a village resident. Noble told council Sweeney-Dodds Funeral Home took care of cremation and now the village is responsible for burying the man. She found a single plot in Westview Cemetery which is big enough to bury eight cremated people. The cost for the plot is $200. Council approved the cremation bill of $700 and agreed to purchase the plot. Due to the law stating there must be a grave marker, Noble will get prices for a headstone large enough to list eight names.
In other business, council:
-APPROVED a $20 fee per sign, per location plus an additional $20 fee for a permit per location.
-WENT into executive session for 25 minutes for employment considerations.
-VOTED to extend water service to the Community Park on SR 39. An anonymous donor has offered to pay for hookup. Carrollton Parks Board representative Wayne Chunat will sign the agreement for the water extension.
-LEARNED eight bids were received for the maintenance storage building. The contract was awarded to Classical Construction of Applecreek for $45,760.
-PASSED a request to advertise the storm sewer project the weeks of Sept. 9 and 16 with bids due Oct. 6 at 11 a.m.
-WERE notified Fowler has not been able to contact Robert Stewart regarding the lot split. He needs to get the property surveyed.
-HEARD the 2007-2008 audit has been completed. Noble told council there were three recommendations, with one being the blanket certificate for purchase orders. At Noble’s recommendation, council voted to put a maximum of $35,000 on blanket certificates which covers three months of health care coverage.
-SCHEDULED a street and alley committee meeting for Sept. 14 at 5:30 p.m. and water and sewer committee at 6 p.m.
-GRANTED an ordinance for an easement for sewer to prevent back up on the Carrollton Farmer’s Exchange property. Lot #10 is 0.083 acre.
-THANKED J&J for their quick response to a garbage bag situation. According to J&J, they had to send an entire truckload back for flaws.
-PAID bills totaling $58,391.50 for vendors and $33,124.90 for payroll.
-SET the next council meeting for Sept. 14 at 7 p.m. in council chambers. |
