Fort Recovery delays semi ordinance

FORT RECOVERY — Questions from village residents led to hesitation in pushing through an ordinance.
Fort Recovery Village Council on Monday approved on second reading an ordinance prohibiting truck traffic and truck parking on Fort Site Street, which runs between Ohio 49 and Ohio 119. The measure will go on to third reading at the council’s next meeting to allow time for misconceptions about the ordinance to be cleared up.
Passing on first reading at last week’s meeting, the ordinance was proposed as a safety measure because the street isn’t wide enough for trucks to pass through.
Mayor Roger Broering told council members he heard residents discussing that the ordinance would prohibit pick-up trucks from being driven on the road, which is not the case.
The ordinance only prohibits vehicles under the legal definition of trucks, which pertains to semis, said village administrator Randy Diller.
“Pretty much everybody local says the same thing. They understand why we wouldn’t want trucks on there. … ‘If the town says no, so be it,’” said Diller.
There were further questions from council members about what constitutes a “truck” versus another type of vehicle, including weight requirements.
Randy Diller told council he will spell out the definition in the final version of the ordinance before it comes in front of members at their next meeting.
In other business, council members Rod Thobe, Cliff Wendel, Al Post, Dave Garman, Dave Kaup and Dave Bretz:
•Approved a five-year contract with Miami Valley Lighting to provide energy and maintenance to 78 of the village’s overhead streetlights. The contract will take effect Jan. 1.
•Were updated on the final stages of the sewer separation project’s second phase. Final numbers on the cost of the project are not ready yet, but will most likely be available at the council’s next meeting. Diller also hopes landscaping of affected areas will begin by the end of the week, after being postponed because of the weather.
•Approved closing Wayne Street from Ohio 119 to Caldwell Street for two hours after the village’s cruise-in Oct. 11 for a band to play outside of Trusty Woods.