July 23, 2014 at 2:10 p.m.
Speed limit reduction may stay in place (10/16/07)
Portland City Council
By By RACHELLE HAUGHN-
A reduced speed limit on a major artery for city industries could become permanent.
A member of a local board asked Monday night if the speed limit on Industrial Park Drive in Portland would remain lowered after construction is completed. The city's mayor said it is a possibility.
Before the street-widening work began, the speed limit on that street was 40 mph. Bruce Hosier, mayor of Portland, told council members Monday that officials with the company doing the engineering work for the project have suggested that the speed limit be reduced to 35 mph because of the steep grading of the street.
If the speed limit were reduced, it would have to be approved by the Portland City Council.
"We'll sit down and discuss it and make a determination," Hosier said this morning.
Construction is completed and the reduced speed limit signs should soon be removed, he said. The only work left to do is to install the streetlights.
In other business, council members voted to send a five-year tax abatement to the Portland Tax Abatement Advisory Committee for review.
Joyce-Dayton Corp.-Portland Division, 1621 N. Meridian St., requested the abatement on the purchase of a lathe, which is expected to cost $230,000. The addition of the new equipment will add one job with a salary of $35,000 per year to the workforce of 74.
Tax abatements allow companies to phase-in taxes on new investments over several years.
Also Monday, council members:
•Approved an ordinance that changes the intersection of Lafayette and Franklin streets to a four-way stop from a two-way stop.
At a previous meeting, council members decided that having vehicles on Lafayette Street stop would make the area safer for children playing at Milton Miller Park.
•Voted to rezone land located just west of Ja-mar TV Appliance and Bedding Inc., 1250 W. Votaw St., to highway service from agricultural.
Brock Rittenhouse of Rittenhouse Properties, Bluffton, asked for the land to be rezoned so a new building for Fastenal can be constructed. The business, currently located at 1607 N. Meridian St., has outgrown its facility. Fastenal will lease the 60 x 100-foot building from Rittenhouse Properties.
Council member Glen Bryant asked if city utilities will be available at the new business location.
Hosier said a water line has already been extended to the property and the sewer line just needs a short extension.
•Heard council president Judy Aker announce that Sandy Bubp of Headwaters Heritage would like council members to tour the Eagles Lodge, 320 N. Meridian St., Portland.
The building is for sale and Bubp wants council members to see the historical architecture and that the structure is worth saving, Aker said.
Hosier told Aker to contact his administrative assistant to set up the tour.
•Met Bill Bradley, the new executive director of Jay County Development Corporation.
Bradley was recently hired to replace Bob Quadrozzi, who died in a May traffic accident. Bradley encouraged council members to talk to him any time they have questions or comments.
•Learned from councilman Dolphus Stephens that a resident who lives along Williamson Drive would like a light installed in the area.
Jeff Harker, street and park department superintendent, said a utility pole would have to be installed on which to place the street light. Harker said he will address the issue again at a future council meeting.
•Heard that bids for the Boundary Pike/Wayne Street project will be opened by Indiana Department of Transportation and Bonar Group officials Wednesday morning in Indianapolis.
INDOT officials are opening the bids, rather than the Portland Board of Works, because INDOT is funding most of the project through a grant, Hosier said. Hosier and Harker expect to attend the bid opening.
The long-delayed project will include extensive sewer and storm drain work, and new sidewalks and streetlights.
•Voted to close a portion of Hayes Street for an event at The Museum of the Soldier.
The street will be closed Saturday from noon to 7 p.m., between Arch and Race streets, for a military vehicle show and chicken dinner.
•Learned that leaf pick-up in the city has begun.
Harker said city employees are collecting leaves twice a week until the leaves begin falling more heavily. Anyone who needs leaves picked up can call the street department at (260) 726-4077.[[In-content Ad]]
A member of a local board asked Monday night if the speed limit on Industrial Park Drive in Portland would remain lowered after construction is completed. The city's mayor said it is a possibility.
Before the street-widening work began, the speed limit on that street was 40 mph. Bruce Hosier, mayor of Portland, told council members Monday that officials with the company doing the engineering work for the project have suggested that the speed limit be reduced to 35 mph because of the steep grading of the street.
If the speed limit were reduced, it would have to be approved by the Portland City Council.
"We'll sit down and discuss it and make a determination," Hosier said this morning.
Construction is completed and the reduced speed limit signs should soon be removed, he said. The only work left to do is to install the streetlights.
In other business, council members voted to send a five-year tax abatement to the Portland Tax Abatement Advisory Committee for review.
Joyce-Dayton Corp.-Portland Division, 1621 N. Meridian St., requested the abatement on the purchase of a lathe, which is expected to cost $230,000. The addition of the new equipment will add one job with a salary of $35,000 per year to the workforce of 74.
Tax abatements allow companies to phase-in taxes on new investments over several years.
Also Monday, council members:
•Approved an ordinance that changes the intersection of Lafayette and Franklin streets to a four-way stop from a two-way stop.
At a previous meeting, council members decided that having vehicles on Lafayette Street stop would make the area safer for children playing at Milton Miller Park.
•Voted to rezone land located just west of Ja-mar TV Appliance and Bedding Inc., 1250 W. Votaw St., to highway service from agricultural.
Brock Rittenhouse of Rittenhouse Properties, Bluffton, asked for the land to be rezoned so a new building for Fastenal can be constructed. The business, currently located at 1607 N. Meridian St., has outgrown its facility. Fastenal will lease the 60 x 100-foot building from Rittenhouse Properties.
Council member Glen Bryant asked if city utilities will be available at the new business location.
Hosier said a water line has already been extended to the property and the sewer line just needs a short extension.
•Heard council president Judy Aker announce that Sandy Bubp of Headwaters Heritage would like council members to tour the Eagles Lodge, 320 N. Meridian St., Portland.
The building is for sale and Bubp wants council members to see the historical architecture and that the structure is worth saving, Aker said.
Hosier told Aker to contact his administrative assistant to set up the tour.
•Met Bill Bradley, the new executive director of Jay County Development Corporation.
Bradley was recently hired to replace Bob Quadrozzi, who died in a May traffic accident. Bradley encouraged council members to talk to him any time they have questions or comments.
•Learned from councilman Dolphus Stephens that a resident who lives along Williamson Drive would like a light installed in the area.
Jeff Harker, street and park department superintendent, said a utility pole would have to be installed on which to place the street light. Harker said he will address the issue again at a future council meeting.
•Heard that bids for the Boundary Pike/Wayne Street project will be opened by Indiana Department of Transportation and Bonar Group officials Wednesday morning in Indianapolis.
INDOT officials are opening the bids, rather than the Portland Board of Works, because INDOT is funding most of the project through a grant, Hosier said. Hosier and Harker expect to attend the bid opening.
The long-delayed project will include extensive sewer and storm drain work, and new sidewalks and streetlights.
•Voted to close a portion of Hayes Street for an event at The Museum of the Soldier.
The street will be closed Saturday from noon to 7 p.m., between Arch and Race streets, for a military vehicle show and chicken dinner.
•Learned that leaf pick-up in the city has begun.
Harker said city employees are collecting leaves twice a week until the leaves begin falling more heavily. Anyone who needs leaves picked up can call the street department at (260) 726-4077.[[In-content Ad]]
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