Thursday, March 24, 2005
Commissioner Polivka said a meeting would be arranged with residents.
WARREN -- West Liberty Street residents in Weathersfield Township are again asking Trumbull County commissioners for help in addressing heavy truck traffic.
Eight people including township Trustee John Vogel asked commissioners why no action has occurred on a petition from neighbors handed to them last fall.
Darlene Keith warned that the street is too narrow and dangerous for big vehicles.
James Misocky, assistant county prosecutor, said the county's hands are tied by state statute and a court ruling. It can't prevent use of West Liberty by any commercial vehicles or restrict their times of usage.
Meeting to be held
But Commissioner Daniel Polivka said a meeting will be set up among the county engineer, prosecutor's office, township officials and residents to see what if anything can be done. Commissioners, he said, are "very sympathetic."
Residents complained about big trucks using their street for hauling trash from freight cars under the Girard bridge to the LAS Recycling operation on Salt Spring Road.
West Liberty is a county road that leans sideways and is prone to potholes, residents said. The older homes are close to the road.
In July 1999, the county posted a truck ban on the street. But the recycling center filed a successful lawsuit against the county to remove the signs.
Misocky said the Ohio Supreme Court said counties cannot ban traffic but can place weight signs. "Our remedy here is proper load limits and postings" to be checked by the county engineer and enforced by local authorities, he said.
Budget problems
Also, commissioners recognized the time and effort by a citizens budget review committee, which participated in this year's budget hearings.
John Robertson, the group's spokesman, said the committee's consensus is that the county's budget problems won't be solved simply by additional revenue. Commissioners are considering the possibility of an additional sales tax.
Instead, the committee recommends continuous improvement of county budget planning, including a strategic plan looking forward three, five and 10 years.
The committee asked commissioners to be allowed to continue participating in the budget process. No action was taken on that Wednesday.