MOUNT VERNON – Mount Vernon drivers should notice a difference in traffic flow on Coshocton Avenue, and the city hopes that means adjustments to the traffic signal timing were successful.
The city had performed an optimization study to review the timing of those traffic signals. The results of that study were implemented last week, Safety-Services Director Rick Dzik told the Mount Vernon News. Changes were meant to improve turning movements and signal actuation of side streets.
“The hope is that it can help the traffic flow a little bit better than it has been before this week,” he said.
Brick street work
A lot of brick street work has been done on Catherine Street. The road base was completed, requiring additional foundation prep work when unsuitable clay soil was found. Curbs and gutters are being installed next.
“Another big update is that street paving is expected to start in the next two weeks,” Dzik said.
Crews will begin paving the walking trail around the middle of Ariel-Foundation Park. The second area of focus will be Eastern Star Road. In future weeks, the city will offer updates on where the paving will continue in the $700,483 street-paving contract.
City Engineer Brian Ball reported that Gilchrist Estates has begun construction.
Human Resources
An offer has been extended to a candidate for the Safety-Services Director’s administrative assistant. The city hopes to have that person in place by Nov. 1. Dzik said his previous assistant took an opportunity to be the administrative assistant at the fire department when the position became vacant due to retirement.
The city continues the interview process for the community advocate position at the police department.
“We have a lot of good potential candidates, and as the chief has told me, he is definitely taking his time to make sure he picks the ideal person to really start that new program for him,” Dzik said.
Earlier in the week, the city posted notice that it was accepting applications at City Hall for the position of police officer as a lateral transfer. This would be for an experienced officer coming to Mount Vernon from another agency, he said.
Links to applications are available on the city website, Indeed jobs and on the Ohio Chiefs of Police sites. Applicants can contact the Civil Service Department with questions.
“This week, we also posted an update to the assistant law director position. As you may recall from City Council, we had a discussion about the need to increase the compensation for that lawyer,” he said.
Council approved a salary of $59,000 for the second assistant law director, an increase of $9,000 from the previous figure.
Leaf removal
Public Works Director Tom Hinkle and Police Chief Robert Morgan wanted to remind city residents not to blow leaves out into roadways or onto sidewalks. Instead, they should leave them on their tree lawn. The city doesn’t want people playing in them and inadvertently creating a hazard.
“But the second reason is also because you know they can clog our storm drains and our storm sewers,” Dzik said.
Residents may drop off loose leaves at the Knox County Yard Waste and Compost Facility at 7425 Thayer Road in Mount Vernon. All bags or other containers must be removed from the facility after they are emptied.
Citywide leaf pickup will begin on Nov. 1, with three machines operating this season. They will begin on main streets and proceed to side streets and outlying areas.
