Edon Village Council proceeded with plans to remove stop signs at the intersection of Railroad and South Main Streets during its regular session held Monday, May 19, 2014 in Council Chambers. Mayor Darlene Burkhardt called the evening meeting to order with Councilors Roxana Nester, Lee Lawrence, Duane Thiel, Richard Chapin, Chuck Bidwell, Gale Horn, Fiscal Officer Heidi Bidwell, Solicitor Tom Thompson and Florence Township Trustee Scott Longanbach in attendance; three Village residents were also present to observe the session.
Brought forward last month by Police Chief Tom Szymczak, removing stop signs on Railroad Street came at the request of Edon Farmers Co-Op to improve travel for grain trucks entering their plant. With termination of the intersection’s previously existing four-way stop (when a portion of South Main Street was vacated), Council discussed the inquiry and how to best proceed for all parties concerned.
After due consideration, Council felt traffic flow at the intersection of Railroad and South Main Streets would likely see improvement by removing the two stops signs and authorized Solicitor Thompson to prepare an Ordinance for May’s meeting to reflect this conclusion. Subsequently, Council went on to unanimously approve the first of three required readings of Ordinance 04-14 as presented that evening:
″Stop signs at the eastern and western intersections of Railroad Street with South Main Street shall be removed and traffic on Railroad Street shall have the right-of-way to freely flow through the intersection. Additionally, a ′Cross Traffic Does Not Stop′ warning sign will be installed on the remaining stop sign at the northern intersection of South Main Street with Railroad Street.″
The Ordinance, once passed, will take effect at the earliest time permitted by law.
In other action, Council:
•Held their annual Joint Florence Township Trustees/Edon Village Council Meeting (per Ohio Revised Code) to address questions or concerns regarding Edon Union Cemetery; there were no matters to discuss at this time. Trustee Longanbach did note Brian and Zach Shaffer were hired as groundskeepers and the possibility of purchasing a mini excavator for grave digging is being thoroughly researched.
•Approved a Farm Lease Agreement with Larry Meyers at one hundred dollars per acre; total acreage rented from the Village needs verification (1.4 or 1.8 acres).
•Heard Chief Tom Szymczak’s detailed Vehicle Report and Service Log (including 120 calls for assistance) for April. Additionally, he participated in the annual Mock Crash for high school students; applied to the Ohio Attorney General’s Automated External Defibrillator program (agencies are being surveyed regarding interest in possible reimbursement options of AED costs, now at eighteen hundred dollars per device); noted department radars had been certified; offered information on upgrades needed to comply with mass communication system changes within the County (looking into Code Red Mass Communications at $438 per year and the better outfitted, more cost-effective Everridge Systems at $271 per year), shared the Click It or Ticket campaign runs May 19 – June 1 and commended part-time officer Jim Eaton for a job well done in helping tackle and subdue a wanted criminal on May 4 while off-duty; he is set to receive an accommodation bar and acknowledgement from the Village.
•Was informed by Street Superintendent Brigle the repaired Village backhoe would be delivered before Memorial Day and Quality Tree Service had completed work on Village trees designated for removal. He also shared, according to EPA, the compost/mulch pile off Woodville Street cannot contain twigs, etc. and limbs are to be ground up, not burned; the Village’s organic recycling option may be discontinued.
•Noted letters reminding individuals to adequately maintain their properties (Village Ordinance Chapter 1305 ~ Nuisances) had been sent. Working together to address the matter will not only help keep the town safe and appealing but will help retain property values as well.
•Approved obtaining United Healthcare and life insurance plans through Andres O’Neil & Lowe Insurance Agency for Village employees.
•Agreed to advertise the zoning inspector position; a potential candidate expressed no interest in the job at this time. Inspector Jim Lonabarger, an employee-at-will, currently remains on staff.
•Joined Mayor Burkhardt in congratulating Ohio Gas on their one hundred years of service to the people of Williams County.
•Noted Village Offices would be closed Monday, May 26 for Memorial Day.
•Accepted the Minutes, Financial Report and Bills as presented.
The next regular monthly meeting of the Edon Village Council will be held Monday, June 16, 2014 beginning at 7:00 p.m. in Village Chambers.