Some 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.