Members of the New Castle City Council recently passed one ordinance, amended others and discussed several concerns related to local streets and traffic flow.
The council met Monday. Following a public hearing in which no one spoke for or against the idea, members voted on second and third reading to spend public safety local option income tax funds to purchase new air packs for the New Castle Fire Department.
New Castle Fire Department Chief Mark Boatright Sr. previously said these funds will allow for the purchase of 30 new airpacks, enough to equip all NCFD personnel. The additional appropriation involved is for $142,422.50.
According to the chief, the new airpacks are state-of-the-art and include bluetooth communication, which he said is a big improvement over the radios now being used. He also said the new airpacks allow for an upgrade that includes thermal imaging, which he said he hopes to be able to add in the near future.
The new units replace airpacks Boatright said have been used by the NCFD for approximately 16 years.
The council also passed ordinance 3761 on first, second and third readings. City clerk-treasurer Christy York said the amendments were minor changes to the language of the previously passed measures and did not involve changes in salary.
Council member Jeff Hancock brought up several matters including his thanks to Carrie Barrett and Main Street New Castle volunteers for the seasonal decorations along Broad Street and improvements made by HOPE Initiative to their county-owned building at 1426 Broad St.
Council member Jerry Walden said he spoke with several people about how to make the intersection of Main and Church streets safer. The idea of making Church Street a one-way was previously discussed, but Walden said people he spoke with did not favor that option. It was eventually decided a couple of parking spaces along the east side of the 300 block of S. Main St. will be eliminated on a trial basis to improve visibility for east and westbound traffic.
It was noted there haven’t been any accidents at the intersection since the stoplight was removed, but there have been several near misses.
Walden also brought up the 100 block of S. 14th St., which has been closed to traffic for roughly three years in conjunction with the renovation of the Jennings Building.
“I talked to the businesses around 14th Street and Race Street ... and of those right in that vicinity, all but one says it needs to be open and to open it up as soon as possible,” Walden said.
Council president Mark Koger said the street closure and work on the Jennings Building has caused some frustration and suggested it was time for the council to address the matter.
“We accepted it (closing the one block stretch of street) for the growth of New Castle and we want to see it grow, we want to see it succeed, but I think ... it’s time for us to move forward,” Koger said.
Mayor Greg York reminded council members that plans for the area have not yet been finalized.
“The last piece of the puzzle is close to coming together,” the mayor said. “It takes time for some of these things to legally work out and it’s very close to happening right now.”
No action regarding 14th Street was taken. The mayor has said on several occasions that the final decision on whether or not the street will remain closed will be the council’s to make.
The council will next meet at 7 p.m. Dec. 5 in council chambers on the second floor of the municipal building, 227 N. Main St.
