Fort makes change

FORT RECOVERY — Even with a majority audience against the ordinance, Fort Recovery Village Council approved on final reading legislation prohibiting semi truck traffic and parking on Fort Site Street.
The council voted unanimously Monday evening in favor of the ordinance after almost an hour of discussion weighing the safety of the issue versus the convenience for semi drivers.
A vote was tabled at its last meeting because of the response from drivers, but Monday’s meeting saw a council determined to find a resolution.
“I’ve got a lot of respect for the guys in here … that weighs heavy on my decision.
“And agriculture, in my opinion, is the base of this community,” said council member Dave Kaup. “That being said, I also was voted in by the people in this village, and I think my job is to listen to the people that voted me in. And I think that weighs heavier.”
Safety concerns with the road’s narrow right of way have been discussed for more than 10 years, and with the sewer separation project complete, it makes sense to finally address the issue, said village administrator Randy Diller.
Council members discussed an accident that was recently caused by a car backing up to allow room for a semi to make its turn, which they explained was a common occurrence.
“Anybody that comes to Fort Recovery, the little bit we have to offer or historical value, is on that street, other than the monument, and they shouldn’t have to fight a semi going through there,” said resident Butch Leuthold.
Though the ordinance was approved, Diller told those in attendance that the issue of semis isn’t resolved, that a more efficient route through the village needs to be found or constructed for drivers.
Diller, council members and representatives from Cooper Farms and J&M Manufacturing will meet with Ohio Department of Transportation officials in early November to discuss potential solutions.
“We know that all those turns throughout the town are not easy. None of them are easy turns for trucks, and we understand it’s been that way, and we’ll take a look at it,” said Diller. “How fast can that move? What the solution’s going to be, if there is any? I don’t know.”
Drivers asked council if they’d be willing to wait to make a decision until after the meeting with ODOT, to allow the road — which runs between Ohio 49 and Ohio 119 on the west side of the village — to remain open to them while another route is considered.
But council members approved the ordinance, saying it can later be rescinded if absolutely necessary. The ordinance will go into effect in 30 days.
In other business, council members Rod Thobe, Cliff Wendel, Al Post, Dave Garman, Dave Bretz and Kaup:
•Were informed that discussions with Choice One Engineering and Perham Egg Ohio found the village’s wastewater lagoon project may need to be expanded. Originally proposing to change the piping and hydraulics to better use the width of the existing pond, new lagoons may need to be constructed to handle a proposed second line at Perham’s facility. This would double its water use capacity to 100,000 gallons a day, increasing the volume of waste. Diller will continue to look at costs and see what is most advantageous for the village.
•Heard an update from Diller about the renovation of Community Park. Diller recently learned that the village did not receive a trails grant from the Ohio Department of Natural Resources for its proposed walking path around the park, but he plans to apply again next year. The park board will move on to the parking lot project, which proposes to add 58 spots where the basketball courts are now. Diller will bring more information to the council’s next meeting.