Brewster welcomes Councilman Timothy Dorkoff, to discuss W. Main Street narrowing project
BREWSTER − Timothy Dorkoff has been named Brewster’s new council member.
Dorkoff, who was selected from among seven applicants interviewed, will be sworn in Monday before council’s regularly scheduled meeting, which begins at 7 p.m. in the community room of the Brewster Fire Department at 110 Main St. SE.
He fills the unexpired four-year term of Scott Killy, who was elected in the November general election. Killy resigned before taking office on Jan. 1 because he had moved to Navarre.
Dorkoff, a Fairless High School graduate, has been a Brewster resident since 1989, according to his letter of interest for the council position. He and his wife, Theresa, have two adult daughters and are members of Living Grace Christian Church in Navarre.
Dorkoff said in his letter that he applied for his position due to his dedication and love of the community and believes that his values would make him a good asset on the six-member legislative board. He did not return a call this week seeking additional comment.
West Main Street project to be discussed
Council on Monday also will hold a committee meeting at 6 p.m. to discuss the proposed West Main Street rehabilitation and narrowing project, which is opposed by some residents.
The estimated $294,000 project, which already has been submitted to the state for possible grant funding, seeks to narrow a portion of West Main Street from 44 feet to 36 feet by reconstructing the south side between Lincoln and McKinley avenues SW. Repaving the street and adding drainage to the north side also are included.
Village officials have said the wider street contributes to drainage issues due to an inadequate crown and higher maintenance costs because snow and ice removal requires five passes by plows and more asphalt to repave. Officials said the width also encourages higher speeds by motorists. Narrowing the street also would give village workers easier access to the underlying storm sewers without damaging the pavement.
The 36-foot street would allow for 8 feet of parking on both sides with 10-foot travel lanes. The southside tree lawn would be increased from 5 feet to 13 feet, which would give the village the ability to eventually create a path to connect Sabo Park to the rest of the village and it could serve as the route the Stark County Park District needs to connect the Towpath Trail in Navarre to the Wilderness Center near Wilmot.
In December, a petition signed by roughly 80 residents, including about 20 residents who live along West Main Street, was submitted to oppose the project. The residents agree that the street needs to be repaved, but believe narrowing the street would create unnecessary safety issues for the children who live along the road, for people who are getting in and out of their parked cars and for emergency vehicles. They believe the project also would ruin the historical charm of the road and jeopardize the ability to host popular special events, such as car shows and holiday events.
Reach Canton Repository staff writer Kelli Weir at 330-580-8339 or kelli.weir@cantonrep.com.
This article originally appeared on The Repository: Brewster Council to greet Timothy Dorkoff, talk W. Main St. narrowing
