By Mindy Ragan Wood
Staff Writer
The Okarche Town Board continues to tackle issues in the community including public safety and board appointments.
It’s been six years since the board of adjustments has met and it has two seats open. The board took no action to fill them but will consider three applicants and hold a special meeting to appoint them before the next board of adjustments meeting.
Town Board Member Joe Frisby recommended Nancy Walford be appointed to the Okarche Regional and Municipal Planning commission.
“There are four guys on the board, and I feel like we need a female on there to help equalize things,” he said. “Nancy Walford, I think would be a great choice.”
Mayor Jeff Sadler and Board Member Matt Blackwood agreed.
In other action, the board voted unanimously to approve an application for a grant from the Northern Oklahoma Development Authority to improve town wells in disrepair. The well houses are dilapidated and at risk of collapse during storms. Other mechanical issues have plagued the wells for several years.
The cost of repairs is $293,908.68 but the grant would pay $90,000.
Sadler expects it to be approved.
“We kind of discussed last time that that was a reasonable number for us to apply that would likely, possibly get approved,” Sadler said. “I think several people weighed in on that and it was pretty close to what we thought we could get approved.”
Okarche residents may soon be better insured in the event of flooding. The board voted unanimously to approve an application to participate in FEMA’s national flood insurance program. The program will allow residents and business owners who could not obtain flood insurance with their provider to do so.
SCHOOL SAFETY
The board is seeking more information about the installment of flashing speed zone signs and lighted road crosswalks in all school zones to slow cars down and keep students safer.
Okarche Police Chief Forrest Smith and Public Works Director Grant Kuehn told board members they are checking into the safety features.
Kuehn said they hope to install lights similar those found in El Reno which shows the traveler’s speed and flashes lights during school zone times.
“I think it’s a little more of a deterrent because people can actually see it,” Kuehn said.
“The signs we put up previously around town that show your speed as you’re coming to town, I believe they help. When we get into these school zones, I think that they see that flashing at them, they know they need to slow down.”
Smith agreed.
“So, anything that’s beneficial that will light that up a little bit brighter, maybe point out some speed that actually allows the driver, whose head should be up to see that, ‘hey you’re doing 27 mph, you should be at 25,” Smith said, “with that added protection, it will at least add a little bit more push on that highway right there.”
Kuehn said the signs will “actually record violations” that can be downloaded. “They can do a traffic counter for you; they can do a lot of other things for you other than just that.”
Smith seemed pleased with the system’s ability to aid investigations.
“If someone says, ‘hey look this car was doing 80’ and it’s in that nature of really out there as far as speeding, driving erratic, we can always download (evidence) and mail citations to people. Nothing says we can’t. As long as we have video of that misdemeanor, we’ll mail that out and get it taken care of that way.”
Kuehn suggested solar powered lights as a more affordable option to electric for the school zone lights.
“You don’t see very many with power run to them anymore,” he said. “They (solar) have a battery backup system that’s supposed to work for like 20 years.”
Frisby wanted to know what could be done about the crosswalks. Smith said they are checking into a system the city of Edmond installed that flashes lights along the crosswalk road during school zone times.
“They are an attention getter,” Smith said.
“Because I have seen some semis lock ‘em up in front of those walking across the crosswalk,” Frisby said.
Smith promised to contact Edmond city officials to find the company that installs or manufactures them.
Sadler pointed out it would be beneficial to install a crosswalk system that allows pedestrians to activate it.
Smith and Kuehn agreed to provide more information for the next regular meeting.
Board members also plan to discuss the possibility of remodeling rooms at the old Okarche elementary school for city use.
