Fri Feb 03 2012
by Laura Freeman
Reporter
Hudson -- The creation of a railroad crossing quiet zone at the Macedonia border passed one hurdle at City Council's meeting, but still had one more to go as of press time.
Council members June 3 approved a last minute resolution 5-0, with one member abstaining, in which the city agrees to pay 50 percent of any overcharges for a quiet zone project. Macedonia's City Council was to consider paying the other 50 percent June 4. The result of the vote was not available at press time.
The project, minus any over-runs, will be funded by federal stimulus sources thanks to Hudson resident Greg McNeil.
He applied and obtained $168,000 in federal stimulus funding to upgrade a railroad crossing on Twinsburg Road and create a quiet zone. The trains would not have to sound their horns when approaching the crossing, but it would still be more than twice as safe.
McNeil has been working with the Ohio Rail Development Commission, which administers the funds for the project. Norfolk Southern would do the work.
The May 18 ORDC contract had a June 1 deadline, which was extended to June 5. It required Macedonia to cover any cost over-runs, but Macedonia Council May 28 declined covering any excess costs without Hudson's participation.
McNeil, Hudson Mayor William Currin and Hudson Council President David Basil were to attend Macedonia's June 4 special council meeting to discuss Hudson's participation.
McNeil said the ORDC has not had many projects go over budget.
"It's a small project for them," he said.
Hudson City Engineer Thom Sheridan said he looked at the project and talked with Macedonia's city engineer.
"They have everything complete and [the cost estimate] is conservative," Sheridan said. "I believe they could do it in less time."
Council member Kristina Roegner abstained from the vote, saying she was philosophically opposed to the stimulus funding.
"It's troubling because of the [country's] debt and going beyond our limit that we can afford. We're putting the debt on our children and grandchildren through the stimulus money," she said.
Roegner and other Council members were concerned because they had not previously discussed the proposed legislation, but the deadline of June 5 required immediate action.
Council President David Basil said he would rather approve the legislation than risk losing the stimulus funds.
The project's pre-engineering costs were split between three communities, with Macedonia paying 50 percent and Hudson and Northfield Center each paying 25 percent of the $7,500 total.
E-mail: lfreeman@recordpub.com
Phone: 330-688-0088 ext. 3150
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