NEW MIDDLETOWN Route 170 will be paved in '07 after all, mayor says

Carson said ODOT officials told him the reported delay of the project was an error.
By MARY GRZEBIENIAK
VINDICATOR CORRESPONDENT
NEW MIDDLETOWN -- Ohio Department of Transportation officials have informed Mayor Robert Carson that state Route 170 will, indeed, be paved in 2007.
Carson and some council members had asked at the October council meeting why the project was being pushed back to 2009 and why Calla Road, which was in relatively good repair, was repaved before the pothole-plagued Route 170.
William Murphy, ODOT District 4 planning and programs administrator, assured Carson in an Oct. 20 letter that paving of state Route 170 is scheduled to be advertised for bids next October, with work expected to be done in 2007. Carson told council Monday night that he spoke to ODOT officials and the reported delay of the project was an error.
Murphy also stated in his letter that repaving of Calla Road (state Route 630) was part of a preventive maintenance project in which relatively good pavements are treated in order to extend their service life.
Also at Monday's meeting
UCouncilman Dan Santangelo said he received a complaint about a pit bull and asked whether the village has an ordinance governing dangerous dogs. Solicitor Jeffrey Heintz said the village has an ordinance that defines a pit bull as a dangerous dog and that says such animals must be securely confined in a building, on a leash, in a fenced yard or a covered enclosure. Police Chief William Morvay said he will send a letter explaining the ordinance to the dog owner and follow up with a citation if the owner does not comply.
USafety Committee Chairman Richard DeBucci said he wants to discuss forming a reserve police officer force at the next safety committee meeting.
UCouncilwoman Ruth Miller reported $1,500 was spent on additional holiday decorations for the village. These include decorative snowmen and elf lights that will be displayed on fencing near the township building.
USantangelo asked residents to donate money to re-light the Christmas tree in front of the village administration building. He said about $300 is needed. Those interested can give donations to Clerk Janet Smith at village offices.
UCouncil agreed to allocate $500 for the annual Christmas party for firefighters.
UMorvay, who also oversees the street department, said several part-time snowplow drivers are needed. Those with experience and a commercial driver's license are preferred. Anyone interested should stop at the village administration building.
UMorvay reported that Sgt. Vince D'Egidio attended a hostage negotiating class sponsored by the FBI.