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Residents issue ultimatum on road paving
(by Joan Demirjian - October 22, 2008)
Residents issue ultimatum on road paving
By JOAN DEMIRJIAN
Residents of the Red Raider subdivision in Russell told Township Trustees last week the roads need improvement. They would like to see the 30-year-old subdivision's roads paved soon, possibly within a year's time, they said.
They also expressed concern for the safety of drivers at the entranceway to the subdivision on Kinsman Road (Route 87).
Water running down the hill on the road at the main entrance in the winter accumulates and freezes, they said. There is a concern for school buses traveling down that road in the winter, according to residents.
Residents have asked for the repaving work in the subdivision three times, Red Raider homeowner Jacque Tallerico said.
Trustee James Dickinson said township voters will be asked to approve a 2.75-mill replacement levy Nov. 4 to start a program to pave all the roads in the township. The levy would help do longer-range planning for improvements such as at Red Raider, he said.
Trustee James Mueller said, if the levy passes, the township can pave all the roads in a 12- to 14-year period.
Mrs. Tallerico said the Red Raider residents have been putting up with the conditions for a long time. "We deserve an idea when they will be done," she said.
Red Raider residents said they are paying for roads but not getting their subdivision roads improved. They said they would not vote on the levy unless the trustees commit to the Red Raider roads. They said their roads need to be a priority.
Mr. Mueller said, if the levy fails, no one will have paved roads.
The township is trying to do a rotation on the roads and is getting away from chip-and-seal applications, Trustee Kristina Port said.
Russell Fiscal Officer Geraldine Heck said the township cannot transfer surplus money from estate taxes for use on roads, as suggested by residents. The state does not allow townships to use the money to pave the roads, but that law could change, she said.
Year-end carry-over, or surpluses, in the general fund are used to run township operations in the first part of the year, she said.
Ms. Heck said township officials met with Red Raider residents a few years ago. The township planned to pay for part of the repaving project, with assessments to residents, but people decided they did not want to pay, she said.
Mr. Mueller said every township road would have to be evaluated for needs and costs. "I'd like to look at a five-year plan," he said.
"We just want to know where we are in the queue, if the levy passes," Mrs. Tallerico said.
Resident Linda O'Brien said the roads were first constructed with asphalt, then chip and seal was applied. "They are virtually crumbling," she said. Without saying how the levy would be used in advance is "irresponsible," she said.
"We're waiting for them to get back to us within 10 days as to what they can commit to in the next year," Mrs. O'Brien said. "After years of wear and tear on our roads without asphalt and severe deterioration, we want to know how the funds from the new levy will be allocated for 2009," she said.
"We've waited for 30 years. They've been patched so many times, they're like a quilt. We pay $8,000 to $9,000 annually in taxes. Our roads are a disaster, and that impacts our home values."
Mr. Dickinson said the road department tries to take care of the roads that need it the most at the time. Road repairs are one of many items, including snowplowing, culvert repairs and paying staff, in the road department budget, he said.
If the levy passes, no new money for use on the roads will be generated until 2012, Mr. Dickinson said. "And it will be a year-to-year review made by the road superintendent."
If the levy does not pass, the chances of Red Raider getting its roads paved in the next five years is less, Mr. Dickinson said. Trustees will be asking the road department for a five-year plan for all the township roads, he said.
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