Parking limits concern residents

ROACHDALE -- Several Roachdale residents were at Tuesday night's Town Council meeting to discuss an ordinance limiting parking on the west side of Walnut Street from Railroad to South streets.

Council members were supposed to conduct first and second readings for that ordinance as well as one that sets weight limits for trucks on local streets at a maximum of 5 tons, adding a new stop sign at E. Maple and Oak streets and changing the speed limit on S. Indiana from 30 to 20 mph.

Several residents were concerned with limiting parking on Walnut Street.

"There are very few people who park on that side of the street. Lots of times that's the only place for visitors to park. I'm wondering why you want to do this," said Jerry Richard.

Council President Bill Long explained there was a problem getting emergency equipment down the street with cars parked on both sides of the street.

"The fire department is one reason. That street is the narrowest street in town," added Jack Jones.

Tony Modlin suggested the cutoff be from Railroad Street to S.R. 236 to allow parking for people without driveways or garages. Council members recognized the concerns of residents and stated that nothing was decided yet.

The readings were tabled until the next meeting because attorney Tom Casey was not at the meeting.

Jones gave an update on the Indiana Street project stating that the Indiana Department of Transportation (INDOT) was running behind and he expected the project to get underway next week.

Town Marshal Mike Mahoy requested two printers for the town's police cars at a cost of $219 each. He told council members that these were the same as those the State Police used and would eventually print off tickets. The printers are part of the computer systems being installed in police cars in the county due to updates at the dispatch center at the Putnam County Emergency Operations Center.

The request was approved 3-0.

Long thanked residents for coming to the meeting and said they may call a special meeting in the next two weeks to discuss the ordinances.

"It all depends on talking to our lawyer. If we do have the meeting it will be posted here at town hall and at the library 48 hours ahead," said Long.

The Roachdale Town Council's regularly scheduled meeting is held on the second Tuesday of the month at town hall.