Poland sidewalk project moving forward

By SEAN BARRON

news@vindy.com

A project to add a sidewalk to a quarter-mile stretch of U.S. Route 224 should get under way shortly now that village officials have received a letter from a property owner agreeing to donate a portion of his property for the work.

Mayor Tim Sicafuse said during Tuesday’s council meeting that the resident granted permission for a right-of-way to be built on his property, so bids will be sought to build a sidewalk connecting the Poland post office and Sunrise Assisted Living of Poland, just west of Audubon Lane.

A Transportation Enhancement Grant is to fund most of the work, estimated between $50,000 and $60,000, with the village picking up about 20 percent, Sicafuse said.

The sidewalk should make it easier for Audubon and other nearby residents to walk to the post office, he added.

In other business, council approved an ordinance for the Ohio Department of Transportation to repair sections of pavement on and near the Route 224 bridge between state Route 616 and Riverside Drive. Certain areas at both ends need repairs largely because of truck traffic, said Sicafuse, adding that a larger portion of Route 224 through Poland is to be repaved in about three years.

Also Tuesday, council discussed the 38th annual Memorial Day parade, to begin at 10 a.m. May 31 near Poland Middle School, 47 College St., and end at Riverside Cemetery. Poland schools Superintendent Dr. Robert Zorn will be guest speaker.

Parade officials are asking youngsters to decorate and ride their bicycles in the parade and for people with convertibles to take part.