Fri Jul 30 2010
by Eric Marotta
News-Leader Editor
Macedonia -- While Council members congratulated Hudson resident Greg O'Neil for obtaining $168,000 in federal stimulus funding for Macedonia, they stopped short of committing the city to covering any cost overruns that may come from the installation of a railroad quiet zone on Twinsburg Road.
Instead, Councilors suggested the city of Hudson and Northfield Center Township be asked to share the risk, and in the meantime agreed to sign a work-authorization contract with the Ohio Rail Development Commission on condition the cost overrun provision be deleted.
O'Neil, a resident of Hudson, had applied for the project funding on behalf of the city through the American Reinvestment and Recovery Act.
O'Neil told Council May 28 he has been working with Norfolk-Southern Railroad, the Ohio Rail Development Authority, local, state and federal political representatives for around 18 months to get a quiet zone installed.
In addition to Macedonia and Northfield Center neighborhoods, residents in Hudson say they would like a quiet zone at the crossing.
He said installation would require upgrading the crossing's electronics and installing barriers on either side of the tracks to prevent cars from driving around barriers. Once in place, trains would not be required to sound their horns, yet the crossing would be more than twice as safe, O'Neil said.
He said the project's estimated cost of $168,000 was prepared by the railroad and added he had been assured the project would likely be completed under budget.
However Councilors were not satisfied, noting the May 18 contract with the ORDC demanded a response by June 1.
"To suddenly show up here and say we need to have a decision and we need to have a decision in five days is a little bit much to ask for," said Council President David Engle.
Council also asked why the city of Macedonia should bear the full brunt of any cost overruns.
"Can you imagine how the people in this community would react [if we pay for a project] that benefits Hudson and Hudson didn't make a contribution?" asked Councilor Ken Martin.
Council considered asking for an extension, to see if the city could get a guarantee the project would cost less than $168,000, or to see if the other communities would share in any cost overruns.
But Law Director Joseph Diemert suggested Council simply delete the sentence committing the city to covering any excess costs.
Council agreed, voting 5-0 to approve the amended contract.
"We're sending it back to them to consider our counterproposal," Engle said.
E-mail: emarotta@recordpub.com
Phone: 330-688-0088 ext. 3171
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