Macedonia Going Out for Bids for 2021 Road Improvement Program
By Emily Chesnic
The City of Macedonia may enact legislation to further spur pet owners to scoop the poop and dispose of it properly.
While most people understand it is their duty to remove their dog’s feces off public property, some do not do it. Those observing the oversight occasionally cry foul, notifying the Macedonia Police Department about the fecal matter, said city officials.
At the Feb. 11 regular meeting, City Council introduced an ordinance – a recommendation made by the police department’s prosecutor – addressing dog waste deposited on private property.
Law Director Mark Guidetti said the legislation, if approved by Council, would require a pet owner, when off his or her own property, to clean up dog droppings left behind.
According to the proposed ordinance, an individual must use a readily available wrapper or bag to remove feces from the ground on private property, as well as from any public street, sidewalk, pathway, park, or public facility.
If found in violation of the ordinance, a person could be charged with a minor misdemeanor, facing a fine up to $150 in Mayor’s Court, he said.
A disabled person who has control of a guide dog and an officer who has the charge of a police dog, while performing law enforcement duties, shall be exempt from the provisions, states the pending legislation.
Police Chief John Golden said his department, at times, does get complaints concerning dogs defecating on people’s yards. After talking about it with the prosecutor, she thought it best to have an ordinance establishing a law regarding this topic, he said.
Council agreed to give residents time to provide input on the issue, before voting on the legislation.
2021 Road Improvement Program
At the meeting, Council authorized City Engineer Joe Gigliotti to prepare plans, bids and specifications and advertise for bids for several roadway improvements projects for 2021.
The city is planning to resurface Iroquois Trail, from Apache Run to Shoshone Trail; Iroquois Trail, from Shoshone Trail to Shepherd Hills Boulevard, which includes a concrete curb component; Red Bush Lane; and Atterbury Drive this year.
Molnar added the city also would perform asphalt spot repairs on roads in need of attention.
Snow Removal
Molnar said this winter’s snow storms have been unpredictable. He asked the public to be “careful on the roads and patient.”
“We try to do our best and have our staff ready to go. They work long hours, and we appreciate them. They put in a lot of time and effort to get roads cleared for you,” he said.
With snow events possible for next week, Molnar is excited ClearLane will be used in the community for the first time. He said ClearLane, arriving soon, is an enhanced deicer, working better in extremely cold temperatures than traditional salt.
“Hopefully, we will see a difference,” he said. “We may decide to use it exclusively.”
The downside, however, is the ClearLane is more costly than the salt currently used in the city, added Molnar.
Mayor’s Report
In his report, Molnar told Council Macedonia would begin to recognize businesses being impacted by the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. Beginning next week, he said the city would start to feature restaurants in the community, starting with the “mom and pop shops,” on Facebook and the city’s website.
“We want to show people the variety of things we have out there,” he said. “We will continue to do this until things get back to normal.”
Molnar also is beginning to recognize volunteers and committees making a difference in Macedonia, as well. In his report, he focused on the volunteers serving on the city’s Parks and Recreation Committee, highlighting the work they put in to provide recreational opportunities in the community.
He additionally announced Raising Cane’s, coming to Macedonia, likely would open in May.
“I am excited to have them in town,” he said.
Other Meeting News:
• Fire Chief Brian Ripley expressed his condolences to the family of Rick Youel, who recently passed away. Youel, 44, served as the Northfield Center Road Superintendent. He worked for the department since high school.
“We responded to the call. He unexpectedly passed away,” said Ripley.
• Council President Jan Tulley announced the cemetery’s website, www.northfieldcemetery.com, is up and running, with records going back to the late 1800s being scanned in for the public to view.
• Recreation Director Jason Chadock said his department is working on spring and summer programs to get people out of their homes, with COVID protocols still to be closely followed.
• Finance Director John Veres said the city has hired an accounts receivable administrator, due to an upcoming retirement.
• Council approved an ordinance providing for the issuance and sale of notes, not to exceed $580,000, in anticipation of the issuance of bonds related to the construction of the right-in and right-out access road off State Route 8 to provide ingress and egress to the Crossings at Golden Link Shopping Center, with property owners to pay for 98 percent of the cost through assessments.
• Council held an executive session at the close of the meeting to discuss a matter involving a public employee or official.