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PC citizens and council divided on alley paving

By Staff | Apr 24, 2013

Marshall Alley

The paving of streets and alleyways was the focus of a special Paden City Council meeting held at 10 a.m. on April 19. While some citizens and council members were in favor of paving a “highly trafficked” alleyway behind Paden City High School, others echoed their neighbors’ and constituents’ wishes to focus instead on streets.

The alleyway in question was Marshall Alley, which runs from the high school to Ann Street and from Ann Street to state Route 2. After a three to two vote, Marshall Alley was added to the list for paving. The council members in favor of paving the alleyway were Richard Wright, Matt Ferrebee, and Dan Probst; those against its paving were Larry Potts and Rick Casteel. Councilman Tom Trader was not in attendance.

When opened for public comment, one woman in attendance warned that the paving of an alleyway would “open up a can of worms.” She said that she would no longer be paying the levy if the council chose to pave Marshall Alley with those funds.

The Paden City levy ordinance she referred to was passed and adopted on January 19, 1998. It states its intentions for the use of the levy money, clarifying that the funds collected are “for the special purpose of street improvements and maintenance including, but not limited to, street resurfacing, street repairs, equipment, materials, and street signs.”

While interpretations of this ordinance differ, several suggestions were made to help alleviate and possibly compromise the situation.

“Just because we pick one this year doesn’t mean we can’t do more next year,” said Councilman Dan Probst.

The option of working with the school board to see if they will cover a portion of the alleyway’s paving was mentioned, as well as the possibility of attaining different grants which may be available.

Another woman in attendance agreed that Marshall Alley needs repairs, but she expressed concern that paving it would add to the problem of high school students already speeding down it. She also raised the question of adding speed humps to certain streets, which the council agreed to research.

The complete list of the areas which were selected for paving currently remains as follows: Seventh Avenue, from Main Street to Robinson Street; Seventh Avenue, from Pollock Street to Jefferson Street; East Pollock Street from Seventh Avenue to Fourth Avenue (Route 2); Third Avenue from Park Street to Pollock Street; Third Avenue from Adams Street to Jackson Street; West Main Street from Fourth Avenue (Route 2) to Third Avenue; and Marshall Alley, from the high school to Ann Street and Ann Street to Route 2.

The list was accepted unanimously, as it is, with the possibility of adding portions of Helen Street, Adams Street, and the South 100 Block of Fifth Avenue if funds are available.

In addition to the councilmembers listed above in the vote Paden City representatives in attendance were Mayor John Hopkins and Recorder Tami Billiter. Though no official date has been set, paving by Klug Brothers Inc. should begin soon.