Wilson Ave. crossing safe

By MATTHEW REZAB
m.rezab@beeherald.com

A few dozen Jeffersonians made their voices clear to the city council Tuesday night, virtually forcing the council to re-examine a proposal to close the railroad crossing on North Wilson Avenue and other quiet-zone proposals.

A few residents were animated in their opposition to the closure, which was only up for public discussion and not a vote.

“I think what you’re trying to do is close off the north end of town,” a woman who left before being identified told the council. “You have not done anything in the north end of town. What improvements has this city done on the north end of town? And now you want to shut off the railroad tracks so we can’t get to the north end of town.”

The recommendation for discussion came from the Streets Committee after it learned directional horns at intersections would cost closer to $90,000 each instead of the originally quoted $25,000.

Currently around 500 vehicles, including bicycles, cross the tracks on Wilson Avenue each day.

That traffic would be diverted to Highway 4 and Cedar Street. Installing a stoplight at the intersection of Highway 4 and McKinley Street would be a DOT matter.

“Cedar Street isn’t in the best of shape now, so I don’t know how much more traffic we want to put on it,” said Councilman Dave Sloan, who opposed the closure.

Councilman Larry Teeples said almost everyone he’s spoken with has said they prefer the intersection be left open.

“At least 90 percent of them told me to leave it alone because they don’t want to drive over the overpass and can’t get to Fareway any other way,” he said.

The matter may boil down to simple public safety.

“I think closing any more intersections in the city, period, would be a risk to public safety,” Greene County Sheriff and Jefferson Fire Chief Jack Williams told the council. “The east part of town especially.”

The council was asked if it had discussed a long-term plan to make the city a train horn quiet zone.

“My own personal opinion is that I would like to see a quiet zone throughout the city and this might be a step toward that in the future,” Councilman Gary Von Ahsen said.

The council eventually decided to push the matter back to committee and examine other options.

In other business, Justin Lamaark and Timothy Fester were unanimously approved to join the Jefferson Fire Department.

Fester is the former Grand Junction fire chief and has more than 20 years experience.

Williams said Lamaark will be a good addition because he works mostly nights and will be available during the day when the department is short of man power.

The council also voted unanimously to contract with 20/20 Visioning to produce a study of how to best move forward economically, socially and culturally in Jefferson at a cost of $24,000.

“This isn’t something that’s going to get left on a shelf somewhere,” Councilman Harry Ahrenholtz said. “This group will continue to work with us to implement the plans as we move ahead with them.”

The next council meeting will be at 5:30 p.m. April 11 at City Hall.