Problems arise at township meeting

CALCUTTA - The St. Clair township meeting had several area residents in attendance asking the three trustees for assistance in dealing with problems on or near their properties.

During the public portion of the meeting, one woman expressed concern over a neighbor regarding proper handling of a civil situation involving dust from off-road vehicles. The other individual expressed concern over the increase of traffic that would make it difficult for the neighborhood residents to exit their homes and to have emergency personnel respond effectively in the area.

Cathy Rogers, who owns property on Calcutta-Smith Ferry Road discussed matters that involved one of her neighbors calling police repeatedly regarding off-road vehicles kicking up dust on her side of the property that borders Carroll Road.

According to Rogers, friends and family members of all ages ride off-road vehicles on her property, and one corner of her residence has dust and soot, from illegal dumping, that sometimes gets blown over to her neighbor's home.

The Calcutta-Smith Ferry Road resident came to the meeting because she heard that her neighbor might attend and she wanted to be able to tell her side of the story. Rogers was recommended to attend the meeting by police officers who responded to calls for the dust.

Robert Swickard, trustee, told the concerned resident that there was little that they, as trustees, can do.

He explained that there is no zoning, the only noise ordinance is for a barking dog and they really do not have the legislative authority to do much since it's a civil case.

Jim Sabatini, trustee, was aware of the situation from speaking to the neighbor earlier and, although he was not choosing sides, wanted Rogers to be considerate of the neighbor's viewpoint.

Rogers did admit that after the police were called during three separate occasions in one day, that the teenage boys kicked up more dust than usual.

But, to Sabatini, he said he got the impression it was more about the length of time everyone was riding throughout the day.

Rogers, though, said she was more perturbed by comments being made towards her and the children along with the fact, the neighbor contacted police multiple times before consulting her.

Swickard recommended in solving this case with some type of mutual agreement. He suggested an idea to keep the dust level to a minimum.

"Pine trees make a good buffer," Swickard said.

Township Road Supervisor Scott Barrett also suggested to let his crew know not to cut down any vegetation between the dirt paths and the roadway that would otherwise be trimmed. If possible, Barrett also said to move the dirt path back several feet and grow up the area next to the track and the street.

Rogers said she just wants her kids and others to be safe and learn to ride on her own property so they'll be better prepared to ride at other areas in the future.

After explaining that there was little that could be done in that situation by the trustees, Swickard introduced Chuck Applegate who is a resident on McCoy Avenue.

Applegate lives on the dead end side where the four soccer fields are located and are causing traffic congestion because of a recent locked gate on the McGuffey side entrance to the fields.

"This year will have been having an abundance of traffic, like ten-fold what it was the year before," Applegate said. "We came to find out that they are not utilizing the gate on the McGuffey side of their exit."

The concerned citizen provided a petition signed by McCoy Avenue residents who wanted to seek solution with the traffic. Applegate also had video evidence that showed the lines of cars, which were said to be "bumper to bumper" causing a traffic jam or about 20 minutes or more.

After investigating with officials, Applegate said that the soccer field storage area had items stolen from a shed, so the organization closed the McGuffey gates.

But what was taken as advice to close the gates when no one was using the fields, turned into the CIC closing the gates permanently, said Applegate.

After several failed attempts at speaking to Doug Williams, organization president, Applegate said he was hoping the trustees could help him and his neighbors out with the traffic problems.

Swickard said although he believed, legally, the trustees did not have authority on the property, he would talk with one of the CIC board members, Sam Scafidi, who may be able to mediate the situation.

Trustee James N. Hall said he was concerned with emergency vehicles being hampered in getting to the congested area of McCoy street and did not fully know what the big issue was involving keeping the other gate opened at needed times.

According to Applegate, the traffic jam happens about once a week, but does cause a lot of cars to be backed up on the roadway.