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TORONTO -- Several traffic-related issues were raised at last week’s Toronto Council meeting and a few will be discussed further by council’s safety committee at 5 p.m. today at City Hall.
Council received a letter from resident Russ Kuntz, who said large trucks have veered into his yard at North Third Street and Cleveland Avenue and one came close to hitting his home because the street isn’t wide enough.
Kuntz said many truck drivers are following their Global Positioning Systems and not the posted truck route, and he offered to distribute maps to them.
Council President Frank McEwen and others said it’s a problem not only for trucks bound for Bulldog Rack but also Valley Converting.
Council also heard from residents of the Mill Row apartment complex who expressed concern about children being struck by vehicles in the areas of Edgar and Gilbert avenues.
They suggested lowering the speed limit from 25 miles per hour to 10 miles per hour and placing removable speed bumps to deter speeding.
Some acknowledged parents also should make an effort to ensure their children aren’t putting themselves in harm’s way.
Council referred both issues to the safety committee.
In related business, McEwen said while driving through the 1300 block of Kennelworth Avenue recently, he found it to be quite dark and suggested adding a streetlight there.
Councilman at large Ron Holmes, who has been making note of streetlights that need to be replaced or repaired, said he would approach American Electric Power for a new one there.
The city’s streetlights are installed and maintained by the company, with the city assuming the cost.
Council also received a request to pave James Way and other streets in the Wallace Heights area, which was annexed by the city three years ago.
McEwen said a list of possible streets to be paved is being compiled, and council and the city’s street superintendent will look into it.
Councilman at large G.R. Dickinson said 1st Ward Councilman Bob Bertram has pushed strongly for Wallace Heights streets to be paved at meetings of the city’s finance committee.
Dickinson said financial concerns in recent years have delayed paving but he and others agree it should be done.
Bertram said Grant Circle and Hamilton Way also should be paved, while Dickinson noted Dennis Way, as the route to the city’s schools and recreation center, is seeing greater wear.
Kuntz also had complained of pieces falling off the former Cooper Hardware building on Market Street and animals congregating there, while 4th Ward Councilman Greg Herrick said the former Gridiron bar at Fourth and Cleveland streets also has become dilapidated.
Third Ward Councilman Jason Fogle said the health department should be alerted about both properties.
In other business:
* It was announced the city’s spring cleanup will be held May 10-14. Residents may leave bulky items for pickup on their regular garbage collection days.
Mattresses, box springs, televisions of any size and other electronics won’t be accepted. Residents should bring tires to a collection point beneath the Trenton Street Bridge before May 13.
* The city’s fire hydrants will be flushed April 26-30, according to the following schedule: April 26, Main Street south to Loretta and north to Freeman; April 27, Loretta south to Trenton and Freeman north to Myers; April 28, Trenton south to Federal and Myers north to Stewart; April 29, Federal south to Dennis Way and Stewart north to Spring; and April 30, Dennis Way south to Fernwood.
Residents should expect low water pressure on those days and refrain from washing clothes because of water discoloration.
* The next meeting of council’s finance committee will be held at 6 p.m. April 26.
(Scott can be contacted at wscott@heraldstaronline.com.)