By Casey Jarmes | The News-Review
During the August 6 meeting of the North English City Council, the council discussed purchasing another electronic speed sign. Currently, there is a sign sitting on East Washington Street where cars come into town. Mayor Dan Strohman explained that the existing sign had had a positive effect and suggested adding a second sign by Knoll Ridge Country Club, where cars are coming into town. He stated that the first sign had cost $3,900. Public Works employee Jason Lee suggested periodically moving the existing sign, roughly every two months, because people get used to signs and stop looking at them. Strohman stated they could try that and get a second sign if needed. Councilwoman Kathy O’Rourke stated, with winter coming, it would be better to get two signs instead of having to move them. The council approved getting another sign.
Also at the Wednesday meeting, Strohman brought up the possibility of banning parking on Woodland Drive near the care center, something discussed at the previous meeting. Strohman stated that, after checking out the street, the council had come to the consensus that, because parking is already banned on the east side of the street and things shouldn’t be a problem if the sheriff’s department enforces the ban. Public Works employee David Knipfer stated that there were very few places to park on the street, between the east side ban and the mail boxes on the west side. Councilman Lou Garrigner stated that the spot where the red truck parks is the only available place to park. City Clerk Tara Heyne stated she had seen three cars parked on the street that morning, but that things had been better recently, after the red truck started parking on the west side of the street.
Councilman Andrew Custer stated he’d prefer no parking on either side due to safety issues and the difficulty of getting emergency services to the care center. He stated that things had gotten better in the past month and that they should wait and see if this stays consistent. Heyne noted that the people who were parking on the east side are planning to move. No action was taken.
Strohman noted that, during the fireworks show during Fun Days, he had seen many people cross the intersection by the park late at night. He stated that there was no light and cars “zoom through” the intersection, meaning someone could get hit. He stated that he would look into getting a portable light system. Garrigner suggested having a firetruck light the intersection during Fun Days. Knipfer stated that wouldn’t provide much light and that the city would have to be careful not to blind drivers with a stronger lighting system.
