SPEED LIMIT CONCERNS … Millcreek Township Trustees from left: Del Kuney, Donald Kunkle, and Bob Short discuss a response from ODOT concerning reduced speed ahead warning signs in Alvordton at its monthly meeting on Monday, March 30.
By: John Fryman
THE VILLAGE REPORTER
john@thevillagereporter.com
In the Millcreek Township Trustees meeting held on March 30, Alvordton resident Marlin Cummins brought up a concern about installing reduced speed ahead warning signs for the village’s 45 mph speed limit.
At the meeting, trustee chairman Bob Short suggested that Cummins contact Ohio Department of Transportation District 2 Traffic Engineer Christopher Waterfield to address his concerns.
Waterfield responded to Cummins’ concerns in an email sent to Short on Tuesday, March 24. Cummins requested that ODOT install reduced speed ahead warning signs for the 45 mph speed limit in Alvordton.
In his response, Waterfield said the journalized 45 mph zone begins at a point 0.08 miles west of Pine Grove Street and ends at the Norfolk Southern Railroad crossing. This zone is 0.67 miles in length.
Waterfield commented that the zone was established on April 6, 2009, and signs were installed on May 4, 2009.
He then added that warning signs are not required for a 10 mph reduction; however, they are an option. ODOT will investigate and provide a written response afterward.
NO PARKING ZONE
The second request submitted by Cummins involved removing the no parking signs on the south side of U.S. Route 20 between Pine Grove Street and Michigan Avenue.
Waterfield responded that the journalized no parking zone on the south side of U.S. Route 20 was established on July 14, 2008, and signs were installed on Aug. 19, 2008.
The signs prevent people from parking near Michigan Avenue and potentially blocking the view of northbound traffic at the stop sign. ODOT will leave the no parking zone in place.
ASSUMPTION SPEED ZONE
For his third and final question to ODOT, Cummins asked Waterfield about installing reduced speed ahead warning signs for the 40 mph speed limit in Assumption, which is in Fulton County.
Waterfield responded that the journalized 40 mph zone begins 0.50 miles west of State Route 64 and ends at a point 0.50 miles east of State Route 64. This one-mile-long zone was established on Aug. 29, 1962, with signs being installed on Sept. 12, 1962.
It was pointed out that warning signs are typically used for reductions of 15 mph or more. ODOT will investigate and provide a written response afterward.
Cummins presented another option for the trustees — contacting county engineer Todd Roth, whom Waterfield had suggested for the county roads because he strictly works for ODOT.
“My understanding according to him (Waterfield) other that U.S. Route 20 and the county roads, you guys (trustees) can set the signage for the rest of the community because its unincorporated,” said Cummins.
“I don’t know that I’m going to look into it much more because it’s so darn complicated.”
CAMPGROUND COMPLAINT
Trustees heard a complaint from a village resident relating to the campground in which the resident said it allows only four campers.
Short commented that Williams County Health Department’s Oscar Hernandez III had called him last week.
The latest concern was whether the right-of-way between the lots was just a right-of-way or whether it was township property.
He also contacted the county auditor, and their opinion is that it is township property, which would make a big difference in the campground expansion.
“If that is in fact the case, there are two separate lots and for them to have campers on the south side of the property or on the other property, you got to have a separate well and separate sewer,” said Short.
“We have the county prosecutor involved now, and they are starting the procedure drawing up papers. Any citations will be issued to the property owner.”
ROAD AND TILE WORK
Township maintenance supervisor Matt Cox reported that he is working on a tile problem on County Road P where there were tree roots in the tile. He said that Phil Whittington of the Williams County Highway Department will be taking care of it.
Cox added that Bryan Excavating will be taking care of a tile problem on Summit Street. He also said a tree and stump have been removed on the problem site.
In April, Cox and the trustees will be doing their annual township road tour to determine where the priorities are for chip and seal work. He was going to contact Ward Construction of Leipsic for more information.
FIRE DEPARTMENT REPORT
Alvordton-Millcreek Fire Chief Tony Carpenter turned in a couple of bills — one to the Williams County EMS for the six trainees who took the first responder class at a cost of $1,050. The cost covered the books for the class.
One of the requirements is that they have to pass the National Incident Management System test. All firefighters have to pass the guidelines for it in order to get certification.
The other bill was for the purchase of two new firefighter helmets at a cost of $780 from Great Lakes Specialty Equipment.
Carpenter told trustees the department will be taking an old skid unit and an obsolete fire hose which no longer passes hose testing. The items will be going to Yoder and Frey, Archbold, for auction purposes on April 13.
APPROPRIATIONS
Trustees approved the official acceptance of 2026 appropriations which totaled $535,325.38. The meeting adjourned at 9:10 p.m. The next meeting is Monday, April 27 at 8 p.m.