WASHINGTON COURT HOUSE, OHIO — The City Service, Safety and Recreation meeting was held Wednesday in council chambers.
Washington Fire Department Assistant Chief Jody Langley gave the fire department report regarding the total burn ban for Fayette County and approximately 20 other Ohio counties as set out from the Ohio State Fire Marshal’s office. The ban is for all grills, fire pits, bonfires, fireworks, cigarettes outdoors, such as discarding butts, and all other outdoor activities that use any type of open flame or fire, due to the severe drought conditions in Ohio. He said only electrical appliances could be used for cooking sources outdoors.
In the police department report, it was noted that a new dispatcher employee has been hired, the issue of excessive noise and traffic concerns at the five-point intersection near Kroger is being investigated, and the city, in coordination with the department, is working on a new draft ordinance for fireworks in the city. The scale of citation for first and second offense is being worked out with the city attorney for this legislation.
It was also noted that new “no left turn” signs have been painted on the roadway for no turns coming northbound into the city for KFC and O’Reilly’s parking lots since those turns cross three lanes of traffic and cause traffic jams in the area.
City Manager Joe Denen said that more fireworks surveys have been returned from city residents, and 228 people are against fireworks in their neighborhood, versus 53 who want them. Those who think fireworks are a problem, 183 said yes, versus 112 who said no. A total of 59 had no opinion on those questions.
The service department report stated that the city paving projects have been completed, street striping has been done for the bike trails, and curbs downtown have been painted prior to next weekend’s Scarecrow Festival. Water line services have been installed on Andrick Drive for that new development. Cleaning of the creek behind Glenn Avenue has been completed. Larger speed limit signs have been painted on the streets at Main and Temple and Court. One more intersection is going to be done.
The water report said that there are 303 million gallons in all three reservoirs right now, and the wells are pumping 400 gallons per minute into the reservoirs. The city, like many other places, is hoping for rain to help the levels.
Tony’s Welding is still working on the gates to be installed at the Lakeview/Millikan railroad crossing area for bikers and pedestrians for train safety. The gates will be wide enough for wheelchairs, motorized scooters, and bicycles in the crossing area.
Service director Gary Dean said they are beginning the work on the tennis and new pickleball courts in the Gardner Park area. The tennis courts on the Circle Avenue side will remain as tennis use. The courts on the far side will be painted and new nets put up for pickleball use, after the Scarecrow Festival weekend.
Denen then said that a survey has been requested regarding parking on both sides of the street on Red Mile and which side of the street would be more beneficial. Langley was asked about the space needed for the large fire truck to access this roadway with parking on both sides of the street. Langley said their large truck needs 24 feet for clearance to set up in case of fire. After the city hears from more residents, it can be brought before council for consideration.
