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New Franklin hoping second grant request succeeds

6/14/2012 - South Side Leader
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By Maria Lindsay

NEW FRANKLIN — In late 2010, New Franklin officials hired GPD Associates to do the design work that would realign South Turkeyfoot Road, which ends at state Route 619, with Point Comfort Drive, which continues south on the other side of state Route 619 just several hundred feet west.

Mayor Al Bollas stated the work was needed to improve safety at the unusual intersection and the time was right because Turkeyfoot Lake Golf Course officials had agreed to trade a triangular piece of property on the west side of South Turkeyfoot Road in exchange for a piece on the east side to help control the cost of the project.

“This intersection is bad,” said John Thorton, general manager of the golf course. “There have been some major accidents here, but no one has been killed yet. We are doing this to save lives.”

Bollas said the $48,000 “shovel-ready” design work would give the city extra points in a grant application that would help pay for the $575,000 project. The request was unsuccessful, coming in second behind the large Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co. project in Downtown Akron, according to Bollas.

Bollas announced at the June 6 New Franklin Council meeting the city once again is filing a request to participate in the Ohio Public Works Commission State Capital Improvement and/or Local Transportation Improvement Programs to help pay for the project.

According to the legislation, the city is expected to chip in $125,000 toward the improvements, and Bollas said Summit County Engineer Alan Brubaker has agreed to pitch in $50,000. [See related item in the Summit County Council meeting report on Page 5.]

The results of the application are due in October, and construction on the intersection could begin next year, Bollas added.

Council approved the legislation, waiving the three-reading rule.

Council also approved a resolution to renew a three-year contract with the city of Barberton to provide prosecutorial services for New Franklin for each year at last year’s price, which was $14,500.

Legislation to enter into a three-year service agreement with Physio-Control for the Fire Department’s three new cardiac monitors and one older version also was approved. The agreement will cost a total of $15,636 to be paid in three annual installments.

Council decided to take more time to review a proposed ordinance that seeks to establish a special event permit procedure in the city.

Also at the meeting, Bollas announced the Akron Zoo will present New Franklin Community Days, which offers its residents free admission to the zoo, Aug. 13-14. Tickets for the zoo will be available at City Hall.

Bollas also stated the city Service Department has determined a traffic light is warranted at the intersection of Manchester and Renniger roads, and the city has applied to get that light and to replace lights at four other intersections. If successful, the city would face a 20 percent match requirment. Each intersection costs $100,000, Bollas said.

Bollas also invited the community to attend a retirement recognition ceremony and celebration for Fire Chief Perry Surgeon, who will retire June 28 after 36 years of service. The event will take place July 12 from 5 to 7 p.m. at the Tudor House, 655 Latham Lane. Appetizers and cake will be served, and a special presentation is planned at 6:30 p.m.

“The chief has done a wonderful job for us,” said Bollas. “He has put in a lot of time into this community.”

Councilwoman Judy Jones (at large) said Surgeon has been a “very good fire chief and employee.”

The next regular New Franklin City Council meeting will take place June 20 starting at 6 p.m. with committee meetings and at 7 p.m. for the regular meeting at City Hall, 5611 Manchester Road.

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