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Signage removal causes upset in Prairie Twp.
Prairie Township replaced two stop signs that were removed in September. The two signs were re-installed on North Grener Avenue, a sign facing south and one facing north. The original signage at Haldy Road was also replaced. The stop signs were previously removed after a 24-hour traffic study was performed by the Franklin County Engineer’s Office on Aug. 10. In a letter submitted to the township in late August, the engineer’s office said they concluded the signs were not warranted. They also suggested the all-way supplemental sign underneath the Haldy Road stop sign be replaced with the new signage, “Cross Traffic Does Not Stop.” Residents objected to the removal of the signs at the Sept. 21 trustee meeting. Several residents of North Grener Avenue said the signs were a deterrent to speeding problems observed on their street. Other residents said they were upset the township failed to notify them about the traffic study. According to Prairie Township Administrator Tracy Hatmaker, the signs were removed after a resident complained and the results of the traffic study. He said this has been the way the township typically handles the subtraction of road signage. On Oct. 5, resident Larry Skaggs presented a petition for the return of the signs, signed by neighbors on his street. The community’s reaction caused the township to revamp its procedure decisions regarding taking down road signs. In the future, the township will alert residents by mail before signs are removed.
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