Clean sweep aim of downtown ordinance

Friday, May 12, 2006

In an effort to keep downtown Greencastle streets clean, new parking regulations are under consideration to allow street sweeping operations one night per week from March to November.

Street Supt. Paul Wilson said the new schedule would restrict parking in an effort to be more efficient and effective with manpower in a tight budget year.

"We can get the same work done in a six-hour shift that we do in a 12-hour shift," Wilson said.

As presented to the Greencastle City Council on Tuesday, Ordinance 2006-2 would restrict parking for street sweeping from midnight to 6 a.m. Friday mornings. The areas for no parking would be:

-- North Jackson, Indiana, Vine and College streets from Washington to Columbia streets;

-- Columbia, Franklin and Washington streets from College to Market streets;

-- South Jackson, Indiana, Vine and College streets from Washington to Seminary streets;

-- Walnut, Poplar and Seminary streets from College to Madison streets.

The penalty for parking in those areas during the early Friday cleaning time would be a fine of not more than $50.

Wilson said he thinks the new schedule simplifies the cleaning schedule, making it less confusing for downtown apartment dwellers. He said he has no count on how many people live in apartments downtown.

Mayor Nancy Michael said in the past residents have been notified with hand-delivered fliers. Landlords could also be asked to notify their tenants of the street sweeping schedule. Main Street Greencastle has also reviewed the ordinance and it has that organization's support.

But councilman Tom Roach noted that there are businesses who operate during those hours, such as Moore's Bar, and have patrons who park on some of the streets scheduled for sweeping.

The ordinance did not specify that the sweeping was a weekly occurrence during the season of March to November, but Wilson said that could be added.

The council approved the first reading of the ordinance with the amendments of weekly from March to November. The council will vote again on the measure in June. Public comments to the council members about the ordinance are encouraged.

In other business, the council:

-- Learned that police Sgt. Terry Eastham returned to work this week after his sick leaving following an automobile accident.

-- Heard a concern from Roach that the fireworks set off at 11 p.m. April 29 at Relay For Life was not part of the waiver of the noise ordinance granted for the event. Roach said he thinks any group setting off fireworks for any future event should get approval from the city.

-- Heard that the Cunningham development project between Indianapolis Road and Washington Street has been scaled back due to some site issues concerning infrastructure. The project has been split into two phases.

-- Learned the park board is applying for a new grant from the state to cover the costs of the People Pathways Phase Three project to connect Tzouanakis, Deer Meadow and Greencastle High schools. The Safe Routes to School program fits well with the pathway project already planned.

-- Heard that the fire department had a successful open house with about 150 people attending and many smoke detectors given away.

-- Learned the park board decided to go with a single roof to replace the leaking structure on the aquatic center. The go-ahead has been given to John Wood Builders to work on the project.

-- Saw plans completed by Shrubworks for the Mary's Field park next to city hall to include shrubbery, plants and flagstone pavers.

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