Trustees question temporary resurfacing plan
VERMILION TWP — A proposal to begin discussing a joint road-repair agreement with the city of Vermilion died Wednesday after neither of the chair’s fellow trustees seconded the motion.
Township Chair Kenn Baughman proposed opening negotiations with the city over resurfacing Haber Road, which is divided between the two jurisdictions.
The motion would only have authorized discussions with the city. It would not have approved a construction contract or committed township money to the project.
Baughman proposed having the township pay for a 2-inch mill-and-fill project across both sides of the road. Under a written agreement, the city would be responsible for the next resurfacing project, potentially about 10 years later.
Baughman said Haber Road had not been resurfaced in more than 28 years and had deteriorated to gravel in some areas.
“It is the worst road on our township list,” Baughman said.
Baughman said he had discussed the concept with Vermilion Mayor Russ Owens, who was interested in exploring a partnership with the township.
Trustee Keith Sexton questioned whether resurfacing the road before addressing its underlying problems would be a responsible use of township money. Those problems include a waterline beneath the city’s side of the road, drainage concerns, a culvert and deterioration of the road’s base.
“That’s a waste of money to mill and fill that road without that substructure and the utilities taken care of,” Sexton said.
Sexton characterized the proposed resurfacing as a temporary repair that would not resolve the road’s underlying problems.
Vice Chair Don Rowe Sr. noted that the agenda called for a motion to explore a contract and asked Baughman whether he intended to make one.
Baughman then moved to enter discussions with the city about improving Haber Road. Neither Rowe nor Sexton offered a second, causing the motion to die without a vote.