Centerville’s council declined to install temporary stop signs where a detour is sending more traffic, believing the change could cause more harm than good.
Town Manager Kevin Slick noted a resident’s request for stop signs at College Corner and McMinn roads. More traffic flows on College Corner while the state is rebuilding a U.S. 40 bridge on the town’s western edge.
Slick said he’s checked on traffic at varying times and thinks motorists have little trouble turning out of McMinn, waiting for a maximum of 10 cars.
Councilor and law enforcement officer Josh Tudor also didn’t recommend temporary signs for speed control. He thought they might create more rear-end collisions because drivers aren’t used to signs there.
Police have increased patrols and placed digital speed control signs on College Corner and Mineral Springs.
Tudor is more concerned about potential injuries to motorists who pull out in front of traffic.
Main Street updates
Council heard from Main Street Centerville’s Shari Markley.
- Youth are climbing on the new arch installation in Maplewood Park, treating it as a jungle gym, when it’s not. Members have installed signs noting video recordings are being made and are seeking additional solutions. Councilor Jack Bodiker expressed worry about kids getting hurt.
- With a grant from First Bank Richmond, Ed De La Paz provided free one-on-one consulting for businesses to help them improve their online search rankings and become more visible to a broader audience. Members and nonmembers could participate.
- A pop-in Centerville Connections networking night for residents and business owners will be from 5-6 p.m. July 17 at Style Revival Furniture.
- Main Street and town officials are anticipating large crowds around the April 2024 eclipse. Potential volunteers can contact the organization.
In other business
- Council voted for consultants Baker Tilly to seek an Inflation Reduction Act grant toward electric system upgrades.
- A previously discussed land donation near the water tower was to be finalized June 28. Council agreed to accept the land to protect the wellhead and will engage a contractor to demolish an unsafe building there.
- Water was shut off where a 40,000-gallon leak occurred last month under a trailer. Centerville might have several smaller leaks instead of a giant leak in one location as previously believed, Slick said. The town has been losing about 108,000 gallons per day. It will take a few days to determine the impact of that shut-off and other recent repairs.
- Arrangements are being finalized for a call center to accept urgent after-hours utility calls instead of them going through Wayne County emergency dispatchers. The service should be active in mid-July and fully operational around Aug. 1. Information will be sent in utility bills.
- Railroaders have installed a new 20-foot bridge and added shrubs, trees and plants at the caboose in Maplewood Park. It will be open noon-5 p.m. July 8 and 22.
- Council decided not to allow businesses to insert flyers in utility bills, reserving that opportunity occasionally for nonprofits.
- Council’s next meeting is 7 p.m. July 11 in town hall. The public may attend.
A version of this article appeared in the July 5 2023 print edition of the Western Wayne News.