Lake Twp. citizens sick of speeders

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MILLBURY – The half-mile of Lemoyne Road
between Ohio 795 and Ayers Road has the Lake School District complex, a half-dozen homes and a very steep
railroad crossing.And it’s 55 mph – much too fast, according to neighbors."We’re sick of the
speeders," said Jim Hicks, who added that his dog was killed on the road last week. "This is
ridiculous. We want it changed."Hicks and a dozen other Lemoyne Road residents attended Tuesday’s Lake
Township meeting to ask – sometimes demand – that the speed limit be lowered to 35 mph immediately.Hicks
said the signs should be changed now, and if they weren’t, he would have contacts in Washington, D.C.,
taking action.Police Chief Mark Hummer said the township cannot change speed limits. The process starts by
notifying the Wood County Engineer’s Office, which contacts the Ohio Department of Transportation for a
traffic study. ODOT then makes a recommendation to the county, which reports back to the township, Hummer
said."It’s not a conspiracy, sir," Hummer told Hicks. "There’s not one person on this board
who wouldn’t want to change it and appease our citizens."Other residents in attendance Tuesday said
vehicles fly over the railroad tracks so fast that they leave parts on the road.Lake High School students
have also had more of a presence lately, Hicks said, jogging on the road after school. The mix of kids and
semi-trucks is not good, he said."I will guarantee you we will do our best to address the
situation," Hummer said. "You have my attention."Trustee Richard Welling said the board would
pass a resolution next month asking the Wood County Engineer to reduce the speed limit."We’ll make a
request for a 35 mph speed limit," he said. "We’ve asked for this before and they’ve denied
it."Trustee Ron Sims said Woodville Road has been site of several accidents, including some fatalities.
The trustees asked for a reduction in speed, from 55 mph to 35 mph, but it didn’t happen."They finally
put some markings on the road and lowered it by 5 miles (per hour)," Sims said."We’ll put together
our proposal to the county and see if we can get an answer," said Trustee Chairwoman Melanie Bowen.Also
at the meeting, the trustees:• Joined the Criminal Justice Coordinating Council for 2014 for $19,950. The
council provides criminal justice information services through the Northwest Ohio Regional Information
System.• Heard a 2008 Chevrolet Tahoe police vehicle was in an accident. Repairs will be done by Jay’s Body
Shop, Millbury, for $5,684. Hummer said the township was responsible for a $250 deductible.• Joined the Wood
County Engineer’s Office Storm Water Management Program. There is a total of $50,000 in costs, with the
township’s share estimated at $9,450. Lake Township will be invoiced by the county as needed. This is a
federal and state mandate. The trustees also renewed membership in the Toledo Metropolitan Area Council of
Government’s Storm Water Coalition in conjunction with the county at the yearly rate of $1,219. The township
is required to submit a storm water management plan since Lake has 8.77 square miles of urbanized areas.•
Voted to continue membership in the Toledo Metropolitan Area Council of Governments for 2014 for $1,729.•
Approved replacing a 6-year-old computer used by the police officer manger. A Dell Optix Mini Tower 9020
will be bought from BizTech, Toledo, for $1,366.• Opened two bids for refuse collection for the township,
from Waste Management Inc. and Republic Services. A decision will be made at the Dec. 3 meeting.

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