City to revisit new reservoir law

BUCYRUS – Last month, the Bucyrus City Council passed an ordinance banning swimming in its network of reservoirs, but it could be about to look at the new law again.

During Monday evening’s regular council meeting, Councilman Bruce Truka made a motion for the ordinance to go back to committee, which was agreed to.

“I almost believe it’s too restrictive when it comes to wading, duck hunting and fishing,” he said. “I think you’re cutting off a vast majority of people just to get at the swimmers. I’d like to see Council revisit the language.”

In particular, Truka is concerned that the city’s new law will render the reservoirs off-limits to frog giggers. The ordinance was passed after the city said it wasn’t able to monitor the waterways to assure the safety of anyone who did swim in the reservoirs.

One of those lakes, the Pine reservoir, which is no longer being used by the city for its water, is coated with a thick green sheen of potentially harmful algae.

In other business Monday night, the council passed a pair of routine appropriations measures. However, numerous traffic concerns were raised during the otherwise routine meeting.

Mayor Jeff Reser said the milling and paving on Mary Street should be finished late this week or early next week, a bit later than anticipated because of extra concrete work.

Truka observed that cracks in some of the city streets that aren’t being paved this summer, such as East Mansfield Street, are starting to multiply, and Reser said crews would be doing patchwork in September.

The mayor also said the city is still trying to work with the owner of the former Swifty gas station at South Walnut Street and Hopley Avenue to repair the roadway there after a gas leak at the station last winter.

The demolition of the old Schine’s Bucyrus Theater building, now nearly complete, was addressed during Monday’s meeting.

“It’s gone as smooth as could be expected, especially given the scope of the project,” Reser said, adding that he hoped most of the site will be cleaned up by the time the Bratwurst Festival, which he called the city’s showcase event, begins a week from Thursday.

He also asked city business owners to take a close look at their properties for weeds and other debris in preparation for the event. Councilman Bill O’Rourke observed that the north side of the City Building was overgrown with weeds.

Council President Sis Love listed 16 residences and businesses that are planning parties for Tuesday’s National Night Out, an event focused on crime prevention.

“That’s the biggest number I think we’ve had in several years,” she said. “Talk with your neighbors and see what they’re concerned about.”

thill3@nncogannett.com

419-563-9225

Twitter: @ToddHillMNJ