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Berm work paves way for residents
By LINDA M. LINONIS
liberty
A small fix has made a big difference for residents of Campus Health Center who use wheelchairs.
A newly installed 8-feet-wide-by-500-feet-long paved berm on Colonial Drive from the entrance of the health center at 196 Colonial has made travel on the road much safer for residents who ride their wheelchairs from the facility to Belmont Avenue, where there are sidewalks and paved parking lots.
Mark Meszaros, a resident who uses an electric wheelchair, contacted Pat Ungaro, Liberty Township administrator, and trustees about the danger posed to him and others as they rode their wheelchairs from the health center to Belmont. They were in close proximity to cars traveling along the road, and a deep ditch posed another danger. Liberty officials contacted Trumbull County government because Colonial is county Highway 38.
David DeChristofaro, Trumbull County engineer, said the cost of the improvement was $2,000. “It was a big fix but not a big cost,” he said.
DeChristofaro said the county piped the ditch and paved the shoulder. The work was done this summer. He added that grass will be planted in the fall.
“Now this is completely passable,” said Meszaros. “It was an important safety issue.”
Meszaros said once he and other wheelchair users get to Belmont, there isn’t a problem.
“This helps me be independent,” said Meszaros, who is a three-year resident of Campus.
Meszaros said he was pleased and also amazed at how quickly government responded to the situation.
Eric Van Dusen, a five-year resident at Campus, said he likes to go to the store. “This makes me feel a lot safer,” he said of the paved berm.
He also said because he can move about on his own in his electric wheelchair, it adds to his independence.
A ceremony took place Friday morning when certificates of appreciation from the residents of the health center were presented to Liberty and county officials.
Campus is part of CHCC Health Centers including Caprice in North Lima and Calcutta in Calcutta. Campus is a 100-bed skilled nursing, subacute and rehabilitation facility.