Sidewalk proposal isn't a done deal, trustee says

The township accepted 91,000 to help resolve a storm sewer problem.
By TIM YOVICH
VINDICATOR TRUMBULL STAFF
HOWLAND -- Township Trustee Rick Clark asked residents around H.C. Mines Intermediate School not to jump to any conclusions about sidewalks that may be constructed in the area.
Opposition is being raised by some Cain Drive residents, Clark said, who don't want sidewalks.
One complaint is that the sidewalks will detract from the neighborhood's country setting and tear up front yards during construction. There are 88 houses along Cain.
Howland Township is proposing to apply for 316,500 in Ohio Department of Transportation funds under its Safe Routes to School program. Clark said the township hasn't applied for the money, and trustees will hold a public hearing on the issue before any decision is finalized.
The proposal calls for 9,600 feet of walkway from East Market Street, north along Fuller Drive to the dead end, continuing north along Thorn Drive, east on Forest Hill Drive, north on Howland-Wilson Road in front of Mines school and east along Cain Drive to Henn Hyde Road.
This would allow pupils to walk to school under safe conditions, proponents have said.
Officer of the Year
In other township business, Patrol Officer Jeffrey D. Sescourka is the township's 2006 Officer of the Year. Police Chief Paul Monroe cited Sescourka for his courage, compassion, leadership, understanding, positive attitude and professional image.
"Some officers go their entire career without receiving this," Monroe said Wednesday during the trustees' regular meeting.
Sescourka , 28, of Champion, is a 1996 graduate of Champion High School and served four years in the Marine Corps. He joined the department in 2003 as a part-time officer and became full time in July 2004. He oversees the department's weapons and is the firearms range officer and a vehicle crash expert.
Sescourka and his wife, Kay, have a daughter, Bethaney, 4. He has a stepson, Michael, 12.
The department has 18 full-time officers and three part-time officers.
In other business, trustees accepted a state grant for the first of two phases of the Venice Heights Watershed Improvement project. The state will pay 91,000 for the project with the township paying 41,000.
Ditches will be cleaned along Venice, Anderson and Rosewood drives and three culverts replaced to reduce flooding between houses.
Trustees also agreed to buy two 2007 Chevrolet Impalas from the state purchasing programs for a total 30,558. Monroe said these will replace 1996 and 1997 cars used by the detective bureau.
yovich@vindy.com