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Safety concerns prompt change in practice time at park

EAST LIVERPOOL — Concerns about the safety of walkers in Thompson Park prompted the city park board to agree that a football team needs to change its practice hours.

Park Superintendent Shawn Rybaczenko told the board he was concerned that the little league football team has been practicing from 5-7:30 p.m., which means vehicles are arriving to pick up players after dark during these winter months.

“One kid almost got hit. It’s not safe for people to be driving (at dark),” he told the board, saying he had advised one person involved with the team its practice hours need to be changed to 4-6 p.m. or they would not be able to practice there anymore.

“That makes it safer,” he said.

Board members were in agreement with him telling the team it needs to practice earlier for safety reasons.

The superintendent also spoke about the roof on Pavilion 1 leaking, saying it had allowed water to leak into the new power box, destroying it.

He is having Sayre Electric look at the box, but President Betsy Wells said the slate roof needs repaired before the box is repaired rather than risk it being ruined again by water.

Rybaczenko said he had spoken with board member Mark Hissom about the roof previously. Hissom is a roofing contractor, but a question was raised whether it would be a conflict of interest for him to do the repairs.

City Auditor Marilyn Bosco said there is a form that must be completed by the mayor, law director and herself, signing off on such contracts, which is legal, although she emphasized if the cost is more than $50,000, the project would have to be bid out.

Wells advised Rybaczenko to ask Hissom to proceed with the roof repairs unless the cost will be more than $50,000 saying if he does not have time to do the work, ask if he can recommend someone else.

Rybaczenko also discussed plans for a new restroom near Pavilion 1, saying Rotary clubs have indicated an interest in helping fund the cost but need architect plans first.

He said he has tried to contact local architect Scott Shepherd, to no avail, but Wells advised to try again to contact Shepherd.

Rybaczenko said he also plans to contact a local industry to ask about a donation toward the restroom cost.

The board set its next meeting for 4 p.m. March 20.

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