Tom Young: 'Maybe it’s time for us to ask residents to consider a street paving levy'

LOUDONVILLE - The condition of village streets, and concerns on neighborhood safety were discussed at length at the meeting of Village Council on Monday, May 16.

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“With the exception of streets resurfaced through grant money, there’s not a street in the entire village that isn’t in need of repairs,” Councilman Bill Huffman said. “Maybe it’s time for us to come up with new ways to fund repairs, which are getting more and more expensive.”

Councilman Tom Young agreed, noting “maybe it’s time for us to ask residents to consider a street paving levy. Other towns in the area have passed them and it resolved the problem of deteriorating streets. We are currently relying on a small part of our budget and grant money to pave our streets, and that’s just not enough to keep up.”

Another street maintenance issue, brought up by Huffman, “is that the asphalt we use today doesn’t hold up like it did in past because the EPA changed the laws on what goes in it. Streets paved here a decade ago are crumbling today. They used to last longer.”

Councilman Matt Young, chair of the streets committee, said he would take his fellow councilmen’s concerns to the street committee for further study.

South Adams Street resident Charlie Roesch complained of issues in his neighborhood “where certain residents don’t maintain their lawns, allow dogs to bark in the wee hours, don’t rake their leaves and park unlicensed vehicles in their yards. Police go to their houses to charge them with violations, and they don’t answer their doors so papers can’t be served. They aren’t the most friendly of neighbors, and sometimes I fear for my safety, and the safety of young children in our neighborhood. I think safety is the most important thing in our community, and these issues, which have been going on for seven years, need to be addressed.”

Matt Young, who was presiding over the council meeting as council president in the absence of Mayor Jason VanSickle, said he would take Roesch’s concerns under advisement.

Loudonville Swimming Pool Manager Cheryl Young gives staffing update

Swimming Pool Manager Cheryl Young updated council on pool staffing issues, noting that she now has 2 1/2 lifeguards on staff, with three more hired pending completion of lifesaving certification. She said because of the wait until those certifications are complete, she is delaying pool opening until June 6, a week later than usual.

“Fortunately, school doesn’t let out until June 3, so I don’t think there will be that much demand early, plus the forecast for Memorial Day weekend and early June is for cooler than usual weather,” Young said. “And with the high cost of chemicals, I really don’t want to open the pool for just a few people in the early weeks.”

Young thanked the village maintenance department for helping her by pressure washing the pool, preparing it for inspection May 25.

Council approved an update to the salary ordinance increasing the base lifeguard pay rate to $12.50 an hour, and proportionally increasing other pool staff members' pay rate.

It also heard first reading of an ordinance, requested by Loudon Post 257 of the American Legion, for the village to vacate the section of South Brentwood Drive east of the Legion, and west of the First Baptist Church, so the Legion can develop the area into a greenspace between the Legion and the church grounds. Council often goes to the three separate readings on ordinances to give the public time to comment on the issue at hand.

Theatre Director Sally Hollenbach announced that the New Hope Community Church and Church of God of Nashville are co-sponsoring the film this coming weekend at the Ohio Theatre, allowing children and one accompanying adult to be admitted free.

Council approved renewing the waste removal contract with Rumpke Trash Hauling for a five-year term, with a 15 percent price increase over than period. Current contract, also with Rumpke, expires at the close of this year.

2022 Flxible Parade to be Aug. 27

It also approved the Flxible bus owners holding the 2022 Flxible Parade on Aug. 27 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Administrator Curt Young reported the price for a used wood chipper for the maintenance department came in about $3,000 higher than budgeted, at $30,000 for a 2020 model. Cost of the same model chipper new is $46,490, Young said.

Councilman Brandon Biddinger said he had received complaints of traffic issues on Stone Meadow Circle, and a request to erect a children at play sign in the neighborhood. Resident Steve Stricklen, who said he had lived on Stone Meadow for nearly two decades, said he did not feel the sign was necessary. “There is virtually no traffic on that street, save people walking their dogs,” said Stricklen, the former Loudonville mayor.

Council discussed a letter of complaint from South Adams Street resident Stephanie Weaver about a problem with feral cats in the village. Members said they have heard reports of cat problems, ranging from depositing waste in flower beds to having kittens under people’s decks.

Law director Thom Gilman advised the council that there are two ordinances on village books on controlling cats. One is that cats are not permitted to roam the neighborhood, which Huffman commented was “unenforceable,” and that feeding cats constituted ownership, meaning that anyone who feeds a feral cat is responsible for damages that cat might cause.

‘People feeding strays encourages them to stay in the area, creating more problems,” Councilman Tom Young said.

Appropriations increase needed to cover unanticipated costs for police dispatcher system

Council Finance Committee Chair Cathy Lance reported an appropriations increase must be made to cover $10,905 in unanticipated costs for the police dispatcher system. Council authorized Gilman to prepare legislation to cover the increased costs.

The council approved the American Legion Riders erecting a banner over Central Park promoting its Thrills in the Hills event, and authorized the library to use the southeast quadrant of Central Park on July 5 for the annual firetruck spray part of the Summer Reading Program.

The council confirmed the appointment of Bob Buzzard to the village cemetery board, replacing Wayne Dessenberg, who is retiring from the post. The council sent a certificate of appreciation to Dessenberg for his service.

Matt Young reported that VanSickle asked him to explain that it is by his order that police are stepping up enforcement of the village’s yield to pedestrian’s law.

Councilman Tom Young commented that the council might consider increasing fuel charges for emergency squad runs because of the higher fuel costs.

Next Loudonville Council meeting is Monday, June 4 in council chambers, located at 156 N. Water St., upstairs. Chambers are handicapped accessible from the rear fire escape entrance to the building.

This article originally appeared on Ashland Times Gazette: Street conditions, neighborhood safety are Loudonville Council topics