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Boardman township set to begin stricter parking-regulating enforcement
BOARDMAN
The township is moving forward with an initiative to crack down on illegal parking.
Township trustees at a meeting earlier this week approved a resolution updating and expanding aspects of the township parking district, which township Administrator Jason Loree says is part of an effort to more strictly enforce township parking regulations.
The most-notable change, he says, is that a rule prohibiting parking on residential lots is now codified in a list that also designates fire lanes, sidewalks, in front of driveways, within an intersection, and on a crosswalk, among other places, as areas where parking is not permitted.
“Parking on the grass has always been a major complaint for us,” Loree said. “Now [enforcement is] being done through the police department.”
Loree encourages residents to call the police department regarding parking violations since stricter enforcement will largely be complaint-driven, he said.
In other business, trustees voted to award a $98,529 contract to Utility Contracting Inc. of Youngstown for a culvert repair and replacement project on West Parkside Drive, which has been closed since July 2014. Funds from the Ohio Public Works Commission will cover 39 percent of the cost; the township will pay the remaining $60,102.
Road Superintendent Larry Wilson said that project, which will replace five pipes in that area, will be complete by November.
“We’re just glad we got the project going and we hope people will be happy with what the results will be,” he said.
The board also approved the purchase, at a cost of $10,855, of a software system that will allow the police department to set up a check-in program for senior citizens and people with disabilities. Loree said he expects that program to begin in November.
“It will allow the township to have a mechanism to help those who are elderly and live alone, and those who are disabled and live alone,” he said.
Automated calls will go out to those who sign up for the program. If there’s no response, calls will go out to designated family members or friends. If that step doesn’t confirm that the resident is OK, police officers will then check on the individual.
Trustees also approved the purchase of some new equipment, including $7,545 worth of equipment to outfit several police cars, a utility tractor at a cost of $30,834 and a maintenance truck for $24,092.
Based on a request from at least 51 percent of Marinthana Avenue residents, the board voted to change the speed limit there from 35 to 25 mph.
Another change set to take place, Loree said, is that the fire prevention office soon will move from the main fire station on U.S. Route 224 to the zoning office in the township government center, located at 8299 Market St.