ARCHBOLD WEATHER

North Pointe Streets To Be Detoured For Trick-Or-Treat




Jim Wyse, Archbold mayor, said streets in the North Pointe and Manor Park subdivisions will have traffic patterns altered during trick-or-treat hours, Thursday, Oct. 30.

Speaking at the Monday, Oct. 6, village council meeting, Wyse said he is working with Martin Schmidt, police chief, to determine which streets will be closed, and which streets will be open for one-way traffic only.

The village closed streets and rerouted traffic in the subdivision during trickor treat hours last year, in response to concerns over safety.

Many parents take their youngsters to the North Pointe subdivision for trickor treat.

Because there are no sidewalks there, children and parents who are walking must share the streets with motorists who are dropping off children in the middle of the street.

With fading light and excited children darting in all directions, the situation becomes dangerous.

In addition, the crowds and vehicles make it practically impossible for emergency vehicles, such as ambulances or police cars, to negotiate the streets.

Wyse once referred to it as “chaotic.”

He asked council for any suggestions for redirecting traffic.

Salt Storage

In response to the fluctuation in prices for salt used to melt ice from village streets, council approved the purchase and construction of a prefabricated salt storage structure.

Howell said the structure is capable of holding 1,000 tons of salt. Combined with the 250 tons that can be stored in the current salt storage building, there will be enough for the worst winter on record.

By having enough salt storage for an entire winter season, Howell said the village can purchase road salt during the off-season, when prices are low.

Dexter Krueger, assistant village engineer, is working with Jason Martz, street commissioner, on the specifications and design of the structure.

The estimated cost is $22,012.65.

The structure will be located at the street department garage complex on East Holland Street. It will have concrete walls up to about six feet.

A domed metal framework will hold a fabric cover.

One end of the building will be open, and the opening will face west.

A vent will be built in the back of the structure to release pressure inside caused by the wind.

Some help from contractors may be needed, but Howell said the bulk of construction will be done by village employees.

Kevin Morton, councilman, asked about the present salt storage building.

Howell said the building is “getting a little rough,” but some bracing on the outside walls should extend its useful life.

When asked about the cost, Howell said he thinks the building can be braced for about $5,000.

The building is designed to hold 450 tons of road salt, but village officials have reduced the figure to 250 tons because of the building condition.

Council approved spending up to $23,000 on the new salt storage structure.

Reimburse

Council approved a measure to reimburse the Henry County Engineer office for repaving a portion of Fulton Co. Rd. A-Henry Co. Rd. W.

The center of the road is the county line between Fulton and Henry counties, and approximately 1,300 linear feet of Co. Rd. A west of St. Rt. 66 is within village limits.

Council approved a reimbursement of $40,954.49.

Council also reviewed a letter written by Howell to the Federal Railroad Administration.

The letter concerned the incident in which a Norfolk Southern train blocked the Defiance Street crossing for 18 hours on Sunday, Sept. 21.

The letter also asked for more information about establishing the village as a “quiet zone,” where trains do not blow horns at crossings.

Jeff Fryman, councilman, was absent. All votes were unanimous.

The next meeting is Monday, Oct. 20, 7 pm, in council chambers.



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