Continuously serving Kosciusko County since 1854
How fast is too fast?
For residents along CR 1150N, from Old Ind. 15 to the Camp Mack turnoff in Milford, too fast is 55 miles per hour.
Tuesday, Jerry Smith petitioned the Kosciusko County Commissioners to reduce the speed limit on CR 1150N from 55 mph to between 35 mph and 45 mph.
The commissioners approved changing the ordinance to 40 mph.
Smith told the commissioners there are approximately 11 to 12 newer homes in the area. There are residences on both sides of the road and many driveways.
During the summer, he said, the traffic increases even more. There are children playing close to the road and there is more buggy traffic.
"There's just a lot of traffic on that road," Smith said.
He presented the commissioners with a petition signed by 31 people in the area supporting a reduced speed limit. He also presented a letter from Milford Town Marshal Dave Hobbs in favor of a reduced speed limit.
"I just feel, the neighborhood just feels," said Smith, "that we should do something to protect the children."
After telling the commissioners what he thought the speed limit should be, he said, "I've driven many times at 45 mph through that area and I think that's too fast."
County Highway engineer and superintendent Rob Ladson said he would encourage the commissioners to make their decision based on guidelines provided by the state instead of basing a speed limit on emotions or picking a number out of the air.
Commissioner Avis Gunter said it made sense to her to conduct a traffic count in June before changing the speed limit. "There are rules and guidelines to go by," she said.
Commissioner Brad Jackson motioned to change the speed limit to 40 mph and Commissioner Eddie Creighton seconded.
Smith said, "On behalf of the residents who signed the petition, we'd like to thank you. We think it's going to be a real help."
In other business, Ladson said that in planning for 2000, he wants to make sure the highway department has enough diesel fuel in case there are distribution problems.
"I have found a place where we can purchase fuel now and store it in Warsaw," Ladson said.
He said he wants to store approximately 5,000 to 10,000 gallons. The county has six 300-gallons tanks throughout the county and a few underground tanks at the highway department. He said the county highway department does have the funds in their budget to purchase the extra fuel. Cost would be approximately 81-cents per gallon if purchased now.
"Truthfully, I don't believe we'll need it but it's better to be safe than sorry," Ladson said.
Creighton said he would judge the situation more on the price of fuel than on possible Y2K problems.
"I can't imagine this being worse than any other winter emergency," Creighton said.
No motion was made.
