Council closes Creitz Park for winter

Cambridge City’s council took action to curb Creitz Park vandalism and celebrated some wins in reducing neighborhood blight.

Park

Vandalism of Christmas lights has increased at night, especially on the park’s east side. Damage began last year but is worsening, Fire Chief Jeff Gabbard told council at its Dec. 9 meeting.

Volunteer firefighters set up the lighted scenes and accept donations at the entrance near town hall, 127 N. Foote St. (See the lights schedule on events calendar page).

To align ordinances and signage and clarify enforcement, council agreed to limit access to the park and update signage.

Except for when the Christmas lights are on, the park will be closed to the public until March 1. However, pedestrians may continue walking through to reach their destination between dawn and dusk. Council and Police Chief Richard Roberts want to help students crossing the park each day to go to school. However, gatherings and other activities aren’t allowed.

The playground, which is under renovation, is to be finished by March.

Park gates are now open so police can patrol more nimbly until the lights are taken down.

Council will obtain quotes for installing Wi-Fi at the park and town hall, adding security cameras using Wi-Fi, and more park lighting, which could require additional electric capabilities.

About $3,000 in remaining American Rescue Plan Act funds will defray those costs. Forward Wayne County will reimburse park Wi-Fi installation.

Duke Energy is to repair a couple of lights, and town employees are repairing others.

Gabbard hopes donors might come forward to help buy park cameras.

Blight

Superintendent of Public Works Ken Risch updated council on blighted properties.

Council rescinded teardown orders for 411 and 415 W. Front St. A new owner is restoring them.

“That was a good win,” said councilor Mike Amick.

Other developments: A burnt home at 420 W. Main St. and another house in the 600 block of East Church are both down. An unsafe home on Vine Street is being demolished. A neighbor is interested in demolishing a home in the 700 block of Westview Drive and expanding the yard. A home in the 200 block of Jones Street was boarded after police found activity there. Another Main Street owner plans to list a home after repairs.

In other business

• Speed monitoring signs were installed by Golay Community Center (westbound) and Cambridge City Public Library (eastbound). Council approved nearly $341 for breakaway posts.
• Councilors weren’t interested in moving town elections to an even year, concerned they’d get lost in attention among more partisan races for higher offices. County officials had asked if the elections could be consolidated like other towns.
• Gabbard and Roberts requested revisiting false alarm fees for fire and police because of high call volumes. Council agreed.
• Council President Jim McLane has asked county officials for help in repairing the town’s tornado siren.
• Council approved $3,900 in donations toward publication of a book about K-9 Jessie.
• Frank Brattain was appointed to replace Susie Dungan on the town’s Board of Zoning Appeals.
• Council vacated a strip of ground running north and south on Front Street.
• Council will sell a small piece of land near the 500 block of South Walnut and advertise its bidding process (minimum $1,500). An adjoining owner wants to remove tires, concrete, invasive honeysuckle and downed trees.
• A special meeting at 5 p.m. Monday, Dec. 30, will finalize salaries and year-end business.