Truck traffic upsets neighborhood residents
By COLIN KYLER ckyler@timesobserver.comSome truck drivers have altered their routes in the city recently, annoying affected residents.
During a recent Warren City Council meeting, members voted to refer the matter of traffic on South Carver St. to city staff in order to draft an ordinance. Three members voted for the action with Council Members Howard Ferguson and Christopher Park not present and Council Member Scott Pascuzzi abstaining due to his employment with a company which the ordinance could affect.
City Manager Jim Nelles said South Carver St. residents wrote to the city requesting action. He said the letter explained traffic increased after a partnership with United Refining Company and Crossett, Inc. resulted in the construction of an ethanol plant at Crossett's facilities.
According to Nelles, approximately 16 people signed the letter. He said they claimed the traffic occurs at all hours of the day.
"I'll comment that the situation is temporary, though it will take a few months," Nelles said. "Drivers come in and load their tankers with 10 percent ethanol and finish at United Refining Company."
On July 27, Crossett President Janet Gregory said United will have its own plant towards the end of August. Crossett has hosted the station for a couple of months, she said, in order to help United until it has its own plant set up for the same purpose.
On July 28, United Vice President-Refining Thomas Skarada said his company does a considerable amount of business with Crossett. Under the current arrangement for ethanol, he said Crossett provides its property to house the facility.
United purchases the ethanol from other producers, Skarada said, and provides the manpower to run the plant. He declined to name the producers.
Nelles said he had talked with representatives from Crossett a few days prior to the meeting. Due to the area's zoning status, he said drivers can operate their trucks there.
Thomas Westfall addressed council regarding the concerns. Younger children use the street, he said, and truck drivers often speed.
"It's like the Daytona 500," Westfall said. "The trucks are full of fumes and one spark will take out half of the block."
Council Member John Lewis said he lived in the area for two years. When drivers gun their engines, he said it creates a lot of noise.
City Police Chief Raymond Zydonik said officers could place a traffic counter in the neighborhood to find how many trucks come through the area. This would give staff a week's worth of data to help make their decision, he said.
The amount of traffic varies from day to day, Gregory said, and includes trucks from several companies. She said Crossett instructs its drivers to use Lexington Ave. and come down South Carver.
Gregory said she expressed to Nelles the needs of her business. The company will work to address the concerns of neighbors, she said.
Council planned to hold its next meeting at 7:30 p.m. August 16 in the municipal building.
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garypayton
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07-29-10 12:09 PM
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People do more research when they buy a car than they do when they buy a house.
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softballdad
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07-29-10 12:00 PM
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just put in some temporary speed bumps or have the city police keep a closer eye on the speeding trucks.If it's just temporary than it will be back to normal
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nmpet75
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07-29-10 9:56 AM
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The problem is not the truck traffic we used to have but the more recent increase. It may be temporary but lately we have had a huge increase which would not be a problem if these trucks would just slow down! I live near the Y. I have been noticing the trucks who have been coming around the bend onto lexington way too fast. We have too many kids in these neighborhoods, elderly, and disabled. If they do not watch their speed someone is going to get hit. It is not just one truck here and there it is a fairly steady stream. I could understand how idiotic it would be for someone to buy a house closer to the refinery and then complain about truck traffic but this is different. Before we just had some truck traffic and the traffic we had seemed to be a little more cautious. I just wish these guys would slow down and be more respectful of driving through a residential area.
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angry1
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07-29-10 9:20 AM
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Is that the same Thomas Westfall who drove trucks for Crossett's competition for so mmany years?
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writer10
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07-29-10 9:00 AM
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Be careful of where you buy a house, what is the zoning, what is near by, what may seem alright at the moment could change down the road. That is why property near industrial zones is generally cheaper, due to trucks and the possibility of a factories building next door. So watch where you buy or you could end up just like this.
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mx370b
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07-29-10 8:50 AM
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It seems like every time I read of a city council meeting,Howard Ferguson isn't present.I hope his pay reflects his lack of attendance.And as for Mr. Westfalls comment "It's like the Daytona 500," Westfall said. "The trucks are full of fumes and one spark will take out half of the block."...how many truck explosions have occurred with the tankers in the history of the refinery? At least once a week I recall entire neighborhoods being engulfed in flames and children being burned to a crisp in Warren!!!!!Geez Mr. Westfall...a bit over the top on that one,don't you think? The key word in the story is TEMPORARY. I agree with angry1...just chase off the revenue that URC produces and Warren can be one step closer to the only ghost town with it's own lovely fountain that nobody needed.
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angry1
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07-29-10 6:23 AM
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It's temporary! Maybe just get Crossett and URC out of Warren county? Then you could all wonder where the tax base went?
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