MCDONALD Officials differ on way to replace fire hydrants

All essential hydrants are functional, the village administrator said.
By WILLIAM K. ALCORN
VINDICATOR STAFF WRITER
McDONALD -- Village officials agree that some of McDonald's aging fire hydrants should be replaced but disagree on how to do it.
Councilmen Michael O'Brien and Joseph A. Ryan, members of council's safety committee, said there are 25 hydrants, two of which do not work, that are so old it is difficult or impossible to buy replacement parts. They recommended at Wednesday's council meeting that the village allocate $15,000 annually to replace five hydrants each year.
Village Administrator Robert O'Connell, however, explained that the two hydrants that do not work are located just outside village limits on Girard and McDonald avenues in areas where there are no structures.
O'Connell said all hydrants needed for firefighting are operational.
"I don't want residents to think there are essential hydrants that don't work," he said.
At present, essential hydrants are replaced when they fail and not before -- and that is how he would like to continue replacement, he said.
Council will study the issue.
Other business: In other action at Wednesday's meeting, council gave a first reading to an ordinance that would retain Solicitor William R. Roux for an additional two years, with an increase in pay from $24,000 to $28,000 the first year of the contract and $29,120 the second year. Three readings or a declaration of an emergency are needed to pass an ordinance. Roux's proposed contract, which includes health and retirement benefits, would run from June 1 through May 31, 2003. Roux has been village solicitor since 1986.
Council also authorized O'Connell to apply for a grant from the Urban Forestry Assistance Program of the Ohio Department of Natural Resources. The grant would provide $8,000 in trees to be planted on public property in the village. The local share McDonald would pay is $4,000, the same amount spent for trees planted in 2000.
Speed limit: Council, in a 3-2 vote, also gave first reading to a resolution that would increase the speed limit on Marshall Road, between the village west limits to New Jersey Avenue, from 25 to 35 miles per hour.
Councilmen Thomas Hart and O'Brien opposed the change, contending it would create unsafe conditions for residences and businesses along the road.
Ryan, however, called the issue the "most cantankerous" issue in town and said people have told him they want the speed changed to 35 miles per hour.