NORTH MANCHESTER - Speeding was the main topic of discussion at the Manchester Town Council meeting Wednesday evening.
Several citizens attended the meeting and board members discussed the issue, which was brought up by a proposed ordinance that would reduce speed limits around Warvel Park.
The ordinance proposes a speed limit reduction on Market Street from Seventh Street to College Avenue, and on Ninth Street from Market Street to Beckley Street. The speed limit would be reduced from 30 miles per hour to 25 miles per hour at all times, not just when children are present.Council member Diane Haupert said she agreed with the reduction because of the amount of traffic in the area. Not only is the park there, Haupert said, but the pool, the soccer field and athletic fields are also in the general vicinity of the proposed reduction.
Council member Christopher Garber said he understands a reduction when children are present, but he disagrees with changing the speed limit at all times. He feels that the key to slowing traffic in the area is the enforcement of the current speed limit.
Council member Laura Rager told the council that she talked with several residents near the park and the area of the proposed change, and no one she spoke with wanted the speed limit changed from 30 miles per hour.
Rager also spoke with Parks and Recreation Director Kathy Staton, who said she had not received any complaints from patrons about speed around the park.
Council Vice President Stan Escott was in favor of the change. He told board members that there is a 20 mph speed limit around Manchester College, but that change was precipitated by an accident several years ago.
"I don't want to wait until there is an accident on Market Street by the park or any street by the park," Escott said. "I feel there should be a (speed) differentiation between the streets of town and a park zone."
"I have no problem with 25 miles per hour when there are children present," Rager said. "But there are many times that it is not a busy street. When kids are present, it's a good idea."
Market Street resident Charles Hankee said the main problem is when school lets out, adding that some vehicles go by so quickly and are so loud that they rattle his windows and the dishes in the cabinets.
"We don't need new laws, we need someone to enforce the laws we already have," Hankee said. "We need to teach our young people to obey laws."
With several people voicing concerns about the lack of enforcement of the speed limits, Town Marshal Dave Young spoke.
"We understand it's an ongoing problem," Young said. "We try to have the maximum number of people on duty during those times (when school gets out), but we have a limited number of people to cover everything at that time."
Young said people want officers to patrol bus stops, watch the traffic from the high school and many other things in the afternoon. He also said that when officers watch for speed in the Market Street area, people speed in other places in town.
The council approved the ordinance on its first reading with a 4-1 vote. Rager was the lone dissenting vote.
After the vote was taken, Garber said, "I think we are creating an ordinance to take care of a problem it will not take care of."
In other business, the council:
n Heard a request from Staton for $2,500 to repair a sump pump at the pool. The pump has been repaired several times and now is inoperable. When the pool or whirlpool need drained or overflow, the basement of the building floods and park department employees have to use buckets to get the water outside.
Staton said the parks department budget does not have enough money to cover the expense for the new pump. Council president Don Rinearson said that a recent project to replace the exhaust system and make repairs to park buildings came in under the amount allotted for the project. The rest of the allotted money will be used to purchase the new pump.
n Heard a comment from Escott about the new trash containers.
Escott said he has received several complaints and heard several concerns about the new toters being used by Wabash Valley Waste Management. He said many of the senior citizens in the community feel that the containers are too big and do not want to use them. John Mugford, superintendent of public works, said people should direct their concerns to him and he will contact Wabash Valley.
n Accepted the resignation of police officer Max Kinsey, who has accepted a full-time position with the Warsaw Fire Department.
n Approved a motion to temporarily close the alley between 404 and 406 N. Wayne St. from 5 to 10 p.m. June 15 for a vacation Bible school party.
n Approved a motion to close streets for Fun Fest Aug. 9-11.
n Approved a tax abatement for the HF Group, formerly Heckman Bindery.
n Approved a motion to increase Adam Penrod's salary to $16.75 per hour. Penrod passed the Class III certification test and will have more responsibility with the certification.
Town council members are Don Rinearson, president; Escott, Rager, Garber and Haupert. Clerk-treasurer is Carrie Mugford.
