WASHINGTON COURT HOUSE, Ohio —The Service, Safety & Recreation Committee met prior to the regular city council meeting Wednesday.
Washington Fire Department Chief Tim Downing reported that their open house for Fire Prevention Week is Saturday, Oct. 12. “Things are going well,” Downing said. The department obtained a new hot water tank. They are making plans for the Christmas parade. Downing said the burn ban is still in effect for Fayette County. He said when the state burn ban is lifted in the future, the DNR (Department of Natural Resources) will still have a ban on burning leaves, trash, and debris, but outdoor gas grills will be allowed again.
Washington Police Department Chief Jeff Funari reported that the new renovations to the dispatch room are now in compliance with updated dispatch standards. He has hired a new police officer, Michael Wilson, and a new dispatcher, Sarah Clay, both to begin work soon.
City Manager Joe Denen reported that they received the last of the fireworks surveys that had been sent out with the water bills, and the majority of city residents do not like fireworks in their neighborhoods. The city is working on a draft of new legislation to reduce the number of legal days and times for setting off fireworks, after any burn ban would be in effect. The city attorney said that if any local ordinance was more restrictive than the state fire code or state requirements, it would be legal to restrict local fireworks.
The city service department report included cleaning up storm damage, pruning the trees uptown, and putting up the holiday lights in town. Service Director Gary Dean said the Market Street full depth project was ongoing this week. Water demand has diminished regarding the water reservoir levels, for things like watering lawns, and they are pumping 1.6 million gallons to keep the water towers full.
The water department has been installing new services on the new Andrick Drive housing subdivision.
The question of speeding in the Leesburg-Clinton Avenue intersection near Kroger was discussed. The city officials will need to talk to ODOT (Ohio Department of Transportation) District 6 to explore a study to cut the speed limit from 35 to 25 mph for safety in the area.
The recreation report stated that the pickleball courts at Gardner Park are coming along well. The city workers have been sealing the cracks on the courts, getting ready to paint them, and the nets should be put up in the next few days.
The committee discussed some complaints about independent trash trucks losing some of their loads on the way to the city dump. It was recommended that either trash collectors should be licensed and/or their loads be tarped to prevent trash dropping on the roadways. The committee will discuss an ordinance regarding this issue.
