Carrollton council hires new administrator, backs traffic fixes

Carrollton Village Council met Nov. 24, where it hired a new village administrator and discussed street concerns from residents.

Mark Spilker and Lawrence Drive residents attended the meeting with concerns about the traffic signs and safety issues. Spilker said someone needs to do something better on signage because people keep going the wrong way constantly.

Spilker suggested the village place an “arrow only” sign on both sides of the road because with one sign the message isn’t as clear. Village Administrator Mark Wells said he will look for a more accurate sign to replace. Wells said he will request the police department do more patrols. Spilker says people keep going the wrong way still.

In an unrelated matter, Mayor Bill Stoneman said four people were interviewed for the village administrator job. All interviews were great and Stoneman recommended hiring Chris Kiehl as the next village administrator. Kiehl was approved.

In other business, council:

—APPROVED using gas and oil money for the following items: ODOT is processing any required permits needed to modify the traffic signal at the intersection of state Route 43 and 39 to include a left-turn signal from Rt. 39 onto Rt. 43. The cost is $8,415, which was not included in the 2025 budget.

The second item is the solar-powered radar speed signs mentioned at the last meeting. Wells heard the cost is $11,010 for three signs.

Councilman Dan Locke made a motion to use gas and oil money to cover the cost of the three signs and also the left-turn signal.

—HEARD Fire Chief Shane Thomas report there have been 24 incidents since the previous meeting with 307 for the year. He noted that two recent new hires will attend certification training Jan. 7.

Thomas also announced that the department received a $29,089.63 MARCS grant for radios and equipment. He also sought council’s support for a State Fire Marshal grant of up to $50,000 to install non-slip flooring and address slip-and-fall hazards in the station. Council signed the paper for Thomas in support. The new fire truck is now projected for February or March, delayed from its original October estimate.

—HEARD Carrollton Police Sgt. Theodore Boitnott present the police report including 285 calls (4,460 for the year), 14 incidents (193 for the year) and seven crashes for the week. He also confirmed the parking meters are bagged for the year.

—PAID the bills of $95,116.27 in vendors; $65,588.89; and payment of bills without prior certification, $6,206.59.

—HELD an executive session at 7:30 p.m. with the purpose of contract negotiations and discussion of an employee.