’Tis the season for spring cleanups involving private and public properties. Several related updates were provided at Cambridge City council’s April 14 and March 26 meetings.
Blight: Joe Webb, acting building commissioner, sent warning letters to three Fourth Street properties to clean front and back yards. Not enough clutter was removed, so a second letter will assess fines.
Webb’s letter to a Florida owner regarding their Parkway Drive residence received no response in six weeks. It hasn’t yet been deemed unsafe, and a hearing must be conducted to do so. Councilors Mike Amick and Gary Cole said the process needs to start soon, which begins with a letter from town attorney Bob Bever.
Cambridge City successfully applied for Wayne County blight elimination funds for two Front Street properties, but they were rehabilitated rather than demolished. Those funds might be redirected if it can qualify in time.
Two complaints were received for the 300 block of West Church and four complaints for the 200 block of West Front. Letters will be sent.
Special collection: Residents can place large items with their trash on Monday, May 12, for Rumpke’s free pickup. Furniture must be wrapped in plastic. Tires and electronics aren’t accepted.
Park and cemetery: Town employees have removed eight decaying trees in Creitz Park, but their bucket truck isn’t tall enough to safely remove a tall ash, locust and sycamore. If one falls, it could crack a county-owned bridge.
More dead ash trees need removal from the park and Riverside Cemetery.
Webb said some graves need to be leveled and seeded. He’s received some calls from loved ones, but he believes that work needs to wait until the ground dries.
Dog waste: Council resumed discussion about Bicentennial Park at U.S. 40 and South Foote Street. Neighborhood dogs’ waste keeps damaging the grass. Police issued a warning ticket to their owner. Cole cleaned the area.
Other business
- Police Chief Richard Roberts will contact Webb to get curb painting started so no-parking zones are better marked.
- Three councilors agreed to seek an appraisal for a small town-owned South Walnut Street property that an adjoining neighbor is interested in buying. He occasionally hears people riding on quads, four wheelers or lawn mowers in the wooded area, but they must trespass on someone’s property to get there. Roberts said those sightings should be reported to police. Bever suggested adding no trespassing signs. Councilors Jim McLane and Jim King were absent.
- A five-year tower contract has been approved with New Lisbon Broadband & Communications. NLBC will place a device on the town’s water tower for internet services. In exchange, the town receives free fiber internet connections for four town buildings and wireless connection to the well house on Germantown Road.
- Construction began behind the fire station for the new performance venue.
- Bever finished a letter explaining the town’s new false alarm ordinance and fines for repeat offenders, so enforcement can begin.
- Milling began for the town’s road paving projects.
- Zoning was resolved for a home at 1010 E. Church St.
- A discussion between Cambridge City Main Street and business owners resulted in the farmers market staying on Foote Street. Another meeting was scheduled for April 21.
A version of this article appeared in the April 23 2025 print edition of the Western Wayne News.