DUKE CENTER — Otto Township will soon be joining other area municipalities in easing rules for off-road vehicles and snowmobiles.
Township supervisors discussed the change at their last meeting.
Soon it will be legal for ATVs, side-by-sides, dirt bikes, snowmobiles, etc., to be driven on all township-maintained roads. This will include the residential areas of Grant Street and Kansas Branch in Duke Center, Clark and Depot Streets in Rixford and will also open up Memorial Drive in Otto Recreation Park.
The supervisors are in the process of drawing up a set of guidelines, which will include all the safety precautions and regulations applied to registered, licensed vehicles. Riders are reminded to follow the rules of the road, respect private properties (posted or not) and do not travel on state highways, as this is both dangerous and unlawful.
In other township news, the status of the building currently housing the township’s offices is in limbo, as the Armstrong Telephone Co. has informed the township and all its area customers that it will no longer support an office in Duke Center. Service will be out of Tyrone and bills and payments will be by mail. With the Duke Center Post Office as a longtime tenant sharing the building, the supervisors are confidently hoping that they and the post office can remain undisturbed. Armstrong, headquartered in Butler, has not indicated otherwise.
Sharon Schwab asked for and received permission to use a township office for cemetery association business when space is needed to examine the large maps of both cemeteries in the township.
Police Chief Don Nies reminded the supervisors about a downed wire near the police building and the lack of lawn maintenance there also. He was assured by Chairman Eric Barton that both issues will be taken care of promptly.
Nies complimented the Otto-Eldred High School administrators, faculty, students and attendees for holding safe and incident-free prom and graduation nights. He has answered several complaints about excessively loud music from a vehicle and reported on a string of burglaries in the borough of Eldred. He also noted that several cars have been parking in the restricted areas of the Otto Park. The area will be more clearly marked with the expectation that park users will respect the signage.
Todd Pierce, proprietor of Old School Garage, was the sole bidder and thus acquired the township’s retired plow truck for the sum of $1,000.
Tom Merry was again present to ask again that a sewage problem be rectified. Barton will meet with Sewage Enforcement Officer Todd Fantaskey and District Justice Richard Luther next week to finally resolve this matter. Other residents’ complaints fielded were mainly weather related: a storm drain overflowing with sewage, a roadway with improper drainage, un-mowed grass at the Memorial Day ceremonial site; and downed trees and flooded basements due to the recent storms.
Residents were reminded to check with the township office before starting any building project. Permits are required for most new construction and also old restoration/remodel. Building codes are for everyone’s safety and must be adhered to. One other request was asked of all municipal sewage customers: do not pump flood water into the sewage system. It was not intended to handle this and may present a real problem if not addressed. It is recommended to direct the water to a natural low spot away from any buildings.
