It’s one of the busiest intersections in West Liberty, which makes it a dangerous one for pedestrians. The question the West Liberty Village Council addressed at their meeting Monday night wasn’t if something needed to be done to make the area safer but what.
EMS Chief Chris Jones brought the problem to the council’s attention after he witnessed two pedestrians come close to getting hit in two separate incidents on the same day at Baird and Detroit streets. Both times he blew his horn as a warning when he realized the drivers didn’t see the individuals. He also said this intersection, with Stoner’s Ice Cream Parlor on the southwest corner, has the most pedestrian/vehicle accidents.
With this in mind, council member Joanna Hostetler, who is on the street committee with Trent Spriggs, reached out to engineers then the mayor’s office in Bellefontaine. The mayor’s office suggested she contact Wes Dodds, Bellefontaine’s safety-service director. He recommended Tapconet.com, a safety equipment supplier in Wisconsin. In doing so, the council found they had a new problem.
“It’s an abundance of options,” Hostetler said in frustration. “There’s a thermal detector or a bulldog silver button. We could have a light-up pedestrian sign with lights on the corners or underneath; flashing red above or below.”
Costs are estimated at $1,600 to $2,000, though it’s unclear if that’s just for the product or includes installation.
While still looking for the right answer, the council agreed they want to ultimately end up with a system that works with the light. They also plan to repaint the lines at the intersection and will look into brighter, possibly glow-in-the-dark paint.
In other council action Monday:
• Preparations for this year’s tributes to area Purple Heart recipients continue to move forward. Besides the memorial stones being placed at the Purple Heart Park, new parking signage has been ordered. They also began recording veteran’s individual stories on March 23.
“I can’t wait for you to hear them,” Mayor Jill McKelvey told the council. “It’s very touching. Every man had tears in his eyes.”
• Two meetings to address the village’s flood mitigation issues are planned — one on April 7 at 10:30 a.m. and the other in May. The main concern is groundwater seeping into the old sewer system, which leads to flooding. Unfortunately, the cost to fix this is between $5 and $6 million. Still, a solution to take the strain off the system is necessary. Though the council has some ideas, it’s a complicated situation. They’re hoping to get some resources and assistance from the state.
• Another street-related debate took place over the intersection at Baird and Tupper streets. Possible solutions to an area where visibility can be difficult when several cars are parked there include allowing compact cars only, adding yellow lines near the corner or installing “proceed with caution” signs. The council will continue to investigate this fairly recent problem.
• The salt bin at the city garage — which holds the grit used to treat snow and ice on the roads — needs to be replaced. The council plans to go with an all-salt treatment, which will be cleaner when it’s time for street and storm drain cleaning after winter. The current total cost is over $50,000, a number the council wants to get the price under.
• Groundbreaking for a new shelter house at Ricketts Park will begin at 9 a.m. April 5.
• A Put a Lid On It event — to encourage wearing helmets while bike riding— is planned for 4 to 7 p.m. Wednesday, June 29. Residents are invited to take their bikes, and organizers will hand out 72 helmets to those who need one.
• West Liberty’s first ever Business of the Month award will be presented at the WLBA annual dinner on April 19. Besides having the spotlight for the month, the chosen business will receive a certificate of award, a pictured online announcement, signs, and samples of Marie’s Candies. Criteria for selection are: demonstrated support for the community, superior customer service and products, and the consideration of their professional peers.
• The village’s status as a Tree City USA has been renewed for another year in recognition of their once again meeting the Arbor Day Foundation’s four requirements: forming a tree board/department, creating a tree-care ordinance, having an annual community forestry budget of at least $2 per capita, and holding an Arbor Day observance and proclamation.
• Ordinance 2022-09 for exempt employees was passed on its first and final reading. This revises a 2000 ordinance that doesn’t allow overtime for salaried employees. The new ordinance offers these employees flex time in order to maintain a 40-hour-a-week schedule.
• This year’s West Liberty Fire Sales will celebrate the 100th anniversary of the town’s fire department, which will include a pancake breakfast. Related to that, the council voted to approve covering half of the cost of six porta-johns at the price of $360.
• The West Columbus Bridge Project calendar still has room for area businesses to purchase ad space, including four gold members. Those who buy a premium spot will be featured during the month of their choice—depending on what’s left—with a glossy photograph, which can be new or historical.
• Thanks to the Stolly Insurance Group, the council anticipates saving $76,000 a year through their new medical insurance premium and HSA plan.
• The WLBA Summer Fest will be Friday and Saturday, June 24 and 25. East Columbus Street will be closed all day Saturday for vendors and a car show.
The West Liberty Village Council’s next meeting will take place 7 p.m. Monday, April 11, at 7 p.m.
A West Liberty Police Department cruiser stops at the traffic light at Baird and Detroit streets in the village Monday night — the intersection that was discussed during the West Liberty Village Council meeting. (EXAMINER PHOTO | SHARYN KOPF)