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EAST PALESTINE -- With the opening of Taggart Street earlier in the day, East Palestine Village Council Monday urged residents to exercise caution and follow the reduced speed limit as the village makes strides toward returning to normalcy following the Feb. 3 train derailment.
On Sept. 25, the first phase of opening Taggart was implemented. The road was open only from 7:30 p.m. to 5:30 a.m. to traffic with restrictions that included limited speeds near the work areas. The road remained closed during the daytime hours. As of Monday, Taggart Street is open without time restrictions but restrictions remain in place to ensure worker and community safety. The reduced speed limit near work areas is 15 mph and periodic traffic interruptions with waits up to 30 minutes to allow trucks to enter and leave the derailment site are possible.
Pedestrians are discouraged from walking along Taggart due to the amount of heavy equipment and truck traffic present, as well as the lack of continuous sidewalk and parking is not permitted on Taggart. The closure of Taggart Street has been a point of contention in the village. Aside from causing a major inconvenience for commuters to and from Pennsylvania, the closure has been detrimental to East Palestine commerce -- specifically to businesses located on Taggart.
"We are pleased to announce that Taggart road is open. I was happy to get that in the works, the mayor and I," interim city manager Traci Spratt said. "There is still a high amount of truck traffic entering and exiting and there may be some delays during the day, but we are glad to see it opened."
Spratt also reminded residents to avoid North Market Street north of the tracks on Friday from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. as work will be completed to repair a ditch from a recent waterline break.
In other announcements, council also urged residents to support the fire renewal levy at the ballot box on Nov. 7. Councilman Thomas Povenski Jr. said that the 1.5 mil levy would generate an additional $85,000 annually for the department and would help with "operational costs and upkeep" while costing residents roughly nine cents a day or $33 a year.
Residents were also encouraged to attend this weekend's Fall Fest in the City Park which will take place from 4-10 p.m. The festival will include a costume contest at 5 p.m., a flash mob Thriller dance, hayrides, smores and a movie. Treat-or-treat in the village will take place 5:30 to 7 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 31 with a parade to follow at 7:30 p.m.
In finance and development news, councilwoman Linda May reported that the Think Tank -- a group dedicated to economic development and financial health of the village -- will meet with the economic group hired by the village in a closed meeting on Tuesday and the Think Tank will meet today. She also reported that poll workers in Negley, Unity and New Waterford are desperately needed and interested individuals should call 740-424-1448 for more information.
Also, council advised that several seats are open on several boards throughout the village. Anyone interested in serving on the village boards can apply to do so with a deadline of noon on Nov. 22.
Council also read three pieces of legislation, passing an emergency ordinance allowing the fiscal officer to make supplemental appropriations for the fiscal year 2023, introducing legislation authorizing the Ohio Department of Transportation to remove snow and make repairs on state roads within the village and a second reading of an ordinance allowing the village to purchase real estate. When asked to elaborate on the real estate purchase, village leaders said that at this time no details would be released but would be further explained at a future council meeting.
In other matters, council moved the second regular council meeting of December to Thursday, Dec. 28 and ended Monday's meeting by going into executive session to discuss contract negotiations.