by Robert Holt
BRIDGEPORT — At their meeting on April 21, the Logan Township Council approved a temporary use permit request by the Bridgeport Speedway that would allow overnight camping for special shows. There had been issues in 2014 about some overnight camping there that had not been approved.
Logan Township Police Department Captain Robert Leash noted that Chief James Schmidt had been in contact with the Speedway, and settled a few issues. Councilmember Chris Morris asked that campfires be contained in commercially available fire lanes.
Bridgeport Speedway requested aid with traffic control from the Logan Police for some of their events that draw bigger crowds, but agreed to watch traffic themselves if the local force was unable to help. Administrator Lyman Barnes pointed out that traffic control had to be handled one way or the other.
“It shouldn’t be part of the temporary use application,” Barnes said.
The special show dates requested by the Bridgeport Speedway are May 24, July 2, Aug. 18, Sept. 25 and26, Oct. 23 and 24, and Nov. 13 and 14.
Council also granted Walgreens a temporary use permit to have a tent for an Employee Appreciation Celebration and Barbecue at 407 Heron Drive on May 2.
Elsewhere, Council passed an ordinance authorizing the purchase of sanitation equipment for the community appropriating the sum of $800,000. Issuance of general obligation bonds and bond anticipation notes in the aggregate amount of $720,000 were authorized.
The ordinance was passed on its second reading after a public hearing.
In his report, Leash reported 1,426 calls for service by the Logan Police Department in March. Twenty-eight people were arrested for the month, and 268 traffic summonses were issued.
Leash added that the Department had just completed three weeks of a Distracted Driving Campaign, the night of the meeting.
Public Works Superintendent Mike Riley reported that his Department had begun mulching and cutting grass at Logan Township properties. Riley added that they had also been mowing local baseball fields, and aerating soccer fields.
Logan Township Mayor Frank Minor observed that he would like to see another shredding event held in the community after a successful one took place this past October at the Municipal Building. Riley said a date needed to be finalized.
Also, the Council adopted two proclamations that recognized April as Child Abuse Prevention and Awareness Month, and April 22 as Earth Day 2015.
