LOUDONVILLE — Loudonville Village Council decided to apply for a grant to install sidewalks along North Union Street after hearing comments from concerned residents at Monday’s meeting.
If the grant application is approved, sidewalks will be installed on the west side of North Union Street from East Campbell Street to East Loudon Avenue and on the east side from East Campbell Street to Stone Meadow Circle.
Council discussed the issue at the last meeting, where members shared stories of support and opposition from residents.
At Monday’s meeting, six people voiced support for the sidewalk installation, including Loudonville Fire Chief Brad Dilgard and Loudonville Police Captain Sean Gorrell.
Traci Cooper, who lives on Stone Meadow Circle, said she feels it is dangerous to walk on the side of North Union Street without a sidewalk.
Cooper also shared that there are more kids moving to the neighborhood who may need or want to cross North Union Street.
“I think safety first for our village residents,” she said.
Danielle Biddinger, who also lives on Stone Meadow Circle, said the only way she can travel to downtown Loudonville is by car because she uses a wheelchair for long distance walks.
“I do not feel that it is safe for me to take myself or my toddler to the park, the playgrounds or downtown to go get ice cream. The only way for me to feel safe to take me and her anywhere is to load up in the car, drive down, unload, play, load back up, unload again,” Danielle said.
She said a sidewalk would allow her to safely travel with her toddler.
Jill Charlton, another Stone Meadow Circle resident, said she is concerned about Peter Heath, a blind boy who lives across the street.
Charlton said Heath crosses North Union Street to ride his bike on Stone Meadow Circle and she worries about his safety.
Council member Cathy Lance shared that four residents on the west side of North Union Street have opposed the sidewalk because they would have to ice their portions of the sidewalk in the winter.
Despite this, Lance agreed the village should apply for the grant.
“The east side desperately needs safe passage,” Lance said.
Lance also asked if there would be any crosswalks. Council member Brandon Biddinger said he assumed there would be one at Stone Meadow Circle to cross North Union Street.
Village Solicitor Thomas Gilman said the Ohio Department of Transportation would make that decision.
Other business
Mayor Jason Van Sickle swore in new Fire Chief Brad Dilgard, new Assistant Fire Chief Joshua A. Buzzard and new Fire Captain Chad R. Callahan.
Dilgard previously served as the Loudonville Assistant Fire Chief.
Dilgard also shared that the Loudonville Fire Department will add an additional full-time licensed EMT. The additional day position will allow the department to extend service time from the existing 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. to a 12-hour time from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.
The additional EMT will allow the fire department to move to a new schedule where fire department staff work two days in a row, then two days off in a row, then three days in a row and three days off.
“The goal is having as many paramedics [as possible] on staff at all times,” Dilgard said.
Dilgard said the schedule will allow for full coverage seven days of the week.
Council members approved adding the additional personnel.
