Canal Fulton City Council previews 2024 projects

Canton Repository
·3 min read

Canal Fulton City Council

Tuesday meeting

KEY ACTION: Reviewed a list of projects planned for 2024 and current projects not completed.

DISCUSSION: Included in next year’s projects are grant money requests to extend the sidewalk and trail from the downtown historic district to the Locust Street commercial district and to add a splash pad and playground at Community Park. Another project is to install and illuminate the multi-panel historical mural at the Schalmo Family YMCA at a cost of $10,000.

East side water tower repairs and the west side water tower construction are also on the list. Downtown improvements include replacing pavers between the sidewalks and curbs with stamped concrete, adding amenities to the amphitheater, and installing traffic cameras and plate readers at Beverly Avenue and Locust Street, Cherry and Locust Streets, and Cherry and S. Canal Streets.

New events set for 2024 are a celebration of the 70th anniversary of the Canal Fulton Community Band and a free Memorial Day dinner and concert.

This year was busy with the completion of projects. Water meters have been replaced for most customers; downtown intersections improved; new street lights, trash cans, and benches installed downtown; more upgrades to the amphitheater completed; and the Market Street waterline finished. An opt-in sewer lateral maintenance program was added this year as were a downtown business loan program and a Police Department Cadet Academy. City council gave approval to connect Longview Avenue to Strausser Street.

Programs that the city plans to continue next year include a “Day of Caring,” leaf collection, yard waste facility, Designated Outdoor Refreshment Area (DORA), school resource officers, permits for hunting deer on city-owned properties, community newsletter, and collaborations with numerous non-profit organizations.

City-sponsored events to be retained include the Haunted Canal Fulton festival, Olde Canal Days festival and parade, Memorial Day parade, Christmas on the Canal and parade, 12 Days of Christmas, Daddy-Daughter Dance and Mother-Son Fun Night, summer concert series, and canal boat cruises.

This year’s unfinished projects include designing and constructing the Ryan Trewin Memorial sign, which will also welcome visitors to the city, at the Cherry and Locust Streets intersection. re-installing speed signs at the same intersection and repairing one at Community Park. Communications will be improved with an update of the City Hall telephone system, completion of the city website, and mailing of a community survey to city residents. To improve traffic safety, mirrors will be installed at Walnut and Cherry streets and at S. Canal and Poplar streets.

OTHER ACTION:

  • Heard that applications for a director of the Northwest Stark Senior Citizens Center are being accepted. The position pays $14,000 a year for a 24-hour work week.

  • Heard that the Historic Preservation Commission is seeking a new member. Applicants must own a home and live within the historic district.

  • Heard that the yard waste collection site will be closed next week for Metker Ech Inc. to grind the waste at a cost of $11,500. The city will use the grindings for mulch.

  • Upon reconvening after executive session, agreed to no longer contract with T&T Marketing to oversee the summer concert series. Instead, the city will seek performers and rent the amphitheater to T&T Marketing if they wish to schedule concerts themselves and charge admission.

UP NEXT: Meets at 6 p.m. Dec. 19 at the Safety Center. Work sessions and meetings are recorded and may be viewed on the city’s Facebook page.

Joan Porter

This article originally appeared on The Repository: Canal Fulton City Council previews 2024 projects