Carrollton council approves lower school zone speeds

Carrollton Village Council passed a resolution establishing new speed limits for the school zone and Route 332 sidewalk project for the village at its Aug. 11 meeting.

Carrollton Police Chief Tim Timberlake explained the reasoning behind Resolution 2025-28 is to address traffic safety concerns on South Lisbon Street due to increased activity from the new school.

Previously, the speed limit from the square toward the school was 35 mph, increasing to 45 mph before reaching the school zone, with trucks often entering the area at 55 mph. The resolution lowers the speed limit to 25 mph from Main Street, through the square, and down to the corporation limits at the school on the Carrollton side, with a further reduction to 20 mph when school zone lights are flashing.

ODOT will determine any speed adjustments on its side, but council hopes it will also add “Reduce Speed Ahead” signs beyond the ball field to give drivers more notice.

“They've had, I think, two of the deputies got hit out there, directing traffic in last year,” said Timberlake. “And I know some have got hit before that too.”

Discussions have also taken place about adding a controllable flashing light at the school for managing traffic during school hours, football games, and other events, though its installation remains uncertain. In the meantime, AEP has improved lighting by adding more streetlights and converting all existing lights to LED, greatly enhancing visibility during early morning and evening traffic periods.

In an unrelated matter, Village Administrator Mark Wells outlined Ordinance 2025-26, which was passed at the July 28 meeting, regarding potential land acquisition around Centreville Village.

The Western Reserve Land Conservancy has been in discussions with the property owner about purchasing the land, similar to the earlier transfer of property behind Mercy Center from the Sisters of Charity through Western Reserve. The property in question lies partly in Center Township, entirely within Carroll County, and partially inside the village limits.

“Under the ordinance, the village will formally express interest in the acquisition without committing any funds, enabling the Western Reserve Land Conservancy to move forward and coordinate with the other two governing entities to pursue the purchase,” said Wells.

The plan is for the property to remain in the conservancy’s possession for an undetermined period rather than being immediately transferred to another party.

In other business, council:

— HEARD from the village supervisors, each of whom said they have mostly been maintaining daily operations, including new sewer filters, mowing, storm sewer repair, fixing water leaks, and other maintenance. ODOT is going to repair holes at the top of the square along with the Street Department. 

— PAID the village bills of $67,851.84 to vendors and $55,750.26 for other expenses; payment of bills without prior certification totaled $7,791.63. 

— HEARD Wells report the village received a payment of $704.31 from the ongoing national opioid settlement.