ODOT still says no to sound walls

by Sue Serdinak

Feb. 18 village council meeting

The Ohio Department of Transportation is repairing fences along interstate highways. According to Richfield Village Council President Ralph Waszak, ODOT installs fences to help keep animals off highways. 

With three interstate highways running through Richfield, residential areas are impacted by the noise of the vehicles. Richfield Village has requested that ODOT build sound walls along the highways when they run near homes. ODOT has denied the request and insists the walls are ineffective.

Councilperson Marty Kruszynski lives in the Berkley Road development that was bisected when an interchange was built between I-77 and the Ohio Turnpike in 2001. He said that trees near the highways were all that slightly muffled the noise.

ODOT has cut down those trees and trees along White Pine and Hawthorne drives.

Mayor Michael Wheeler said the village repeatedly asked that ODOT put up sound walls or plant more trees.  (Please see the Mayor’s Column in this issue.)

“What they have done in our neighborhoods is a travesty. I’m tired of kicking the can down the road. I don’t think our ideas are that outlandish,” Kruszynski said. He added that ODOT recently built sound walls in Brecksville, along areas that are less populated than Richfield’s.

Rescue calls

Fire Chief George Seifert said accidents in the construction zones on I-77 and I-271 are continuing. Seifert said in one 2 ½-hour period the department made seven runs and in another two-hour period made five runs. 

He also said overtime hours were reduced in January by 136 compared to 2024 with the addition of five-person crews.

Compliments

Wheeler read parts of letters from four people thanking Richfield police officers for their kindness and for the work of Officer Scott Dressler as Revere school resource officer. 

Seifert complimented employees of the service department, who save the village thousands of dollars by handling in-house issues on fire vehicles. 

Parking in center of town

Park Director John Piepsny reported that people using the Masonic and Fellowship halls continue to complain about a shortage of parking, and it has affected rentals.

Waszak said that new signs have been designed to direct patrons of Richfield Brewing Company to park in the lot near the library.

Planning and Zoning Director Brian Frantz showed a landscape plan for the south side of the brewery driveway that will provide a buffer for the home to the south. The estimated cost of the plan is $8,500.

Richfield Historical Museum

The building from which the Richfield Historical Museum operates was built in 1838. Some of the original architectural features remain on the exterior and interior of the building. The exterior has badly deteriorated and it was estimated in 2024 that it would cost about $500,000 to do all needed repairs.

Service Director Scott Waldemarson said he is evaluating if it can be painted or if a manufactured product would be the best choice. He cautioned that the restoration might involve encapsulating and removing lead-based paint.

Councilperson Sue Ann Philippbar warned that the building would further decay if it were not repaired this year. 

Financial

Council suspended readings and passed legislation to add $100,000 to the cost for Riley Hotel Group to purchase three acres on Wheatley Road to construct a hotel. According to the legislation, in addition to the original agreed upon purchase price, the village will retain the fee if the group does not build a Hilton brand hotel within two years.  

Law Director Ben Chojnacki said the legislation would ensure the hotel group could not buy the land then sell it for a profit without building a hotel.

Council passed legislation to give the service department $40,000 to purchase additional salt. Salt usage has been very high this winter.

The department is also getting bids for site work for a new salt storage building and for street paving.

DORA

Frantz gave a presentation on Designated Outdoor Refreshment Areas. He said Barberton, Akron, Hudson and Cuyahoga Falls have DORAs that they consider successful. Communities set up a designated area in which people can purchase alcoholic beverages and carry them outside. The drinks would be served in a specifically marked cup.

Frantz said there would be a proposal to set up an area around the Green, which would include Richfield Brewing Company, Olesia’s Taverne of Richfield and Doug Out. 

He said that other communities have not had a problem with people crossing the roadways within a DORA.

He said the village would establish the days and hours that the DORA would be active.

Councilperson Pat Norris asked if a DORA would benefit the village tax fund. 

“It is more a benefit to the businesses,’’ Frantz said. “There might be small revenue that could be channeled back to the village.”

When asked his opinion, Police Chief Michael Swanson said there would be additional calls for service … and that would be paid overtime. 

“If this is what you want, we’ll handle security,” he said. 

Seifert added that when alcohol is involved, there would likely be calls for service. He also commented on the high amount of truck traffic on state Rt. 303.

Resident Ed Tishel spoke in favor of establishing a DORA. “I know the major concern is about safety. I’ve seen many people patronizing the Doug Out and then crossing the street. … I also see many people having alcohol in a koozie. What about people who park at the post office and walk to and from the brewery?’’ 

Resident Charles Boester said that as a neighbor to Olesia’s, he frequently has trash in his yard and people partying there. “I can see some advantage to the businesses. What would it do for the property owners?” he asked.

Audience speaks

Pat Healey said she is responsible for getting a senior group formed in Richfield several years ago. She said that she would like Richfield Village residents to have first priority in signing up for bus trips. She questioned why the senior center was active in recruiting members from outside Richfield. Kruszynski suggested that village seniors not pay a membership fee to the center, but township residents pay $15 annually and people from other communities pay $20.