Madison Messenger - December 12th, 2021

PAGE 10 - MADISON MESSENGER - December 12, 2021
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Libraries’ blanket drive aims to share the warmth
By Kristy Zurbrick
Madison Editor
Hurt/Battelle Memorial Library in West
Jefferson and London Public Library are
joining forces to bring warmth to individuals
who are homeless in Madison County.
From now through the end of February,
both libraries are collecting new and gently
used blankets. Donations can be dropped off
at either library. Organizers ask that donors
wash used blankets before donating them.
“Our outreach coordinator, Melyssa
Woodard, wanted to add this as a new outreach
program,” said Chris Siscoe,
Hurt/Battelle Memorial Library director.
“She noticed some homeless people around
London. With it getting cold, she thought
this would be a way we could help out.”
London Public Library decided to join the
effort.
“We figured it would be a good idea to
help people in the community,” said Andy
Scaggs, London Library’s outreach coordinator.
The libraries will work with local organizations,
such as food pantries and
churches, to distribute the blankets during
the winter months.
“Depending on how many blankets we
receive, we will reach out to different partners
to divide them up. Our initial focus is
the homeless. If we get a lot of blankets, we
might be able to give to shelters, too,” Siscoe
said.
The blanket collection coincides with
Hurt/Battelle’s annual Warm Up West Jeff
program through which the library collects
new and gently used coats, hats and gloves.
The items are available for anyone who
needs them to pick them up at the library.
The limit is one item per person.
Hurt/Battelle Memorial Library is located
at 270 Lilly Chapel Rd., West Jefferson.
Hours are: Monday-Thursday, 10
a.m.-7 p.m.; Friday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.; and Saturday,
10 a.m.-2 p.m.; Sunday, closed. For
more information, call (614) 879-8448.
London Public Library is located at 20 E.
First St. Hours are: Monday-Thursday, 9
a.m.-8 p.m.; Friday, 10 a.m.-6 p.m.; Saturday,
10 a.m.-5 p.m.; and Sunday, closed. For
more information, call (740) 852-9543.
London proceeds with
changes to traffic lights
By Kristy Zurbrick
Madison Editor
Following completion of a traffic study,
the city of London is moving forward with
traffic light changes and some associated
parking changes.
The city is removing traffic lights at five
intersections to improve traffic flow: High
and Union streets, High and Oak, High and
Westmoor Drive, Main and Fourth, and
Main and Second. (Originally, the light at
the intersection of Main and First was included
in this list but was later removed
from the list).
During the 90-day traffic study, which
concluded on Nov. 22, the street department
deactivated the traffic lights at these five intersections
and monitored the intersections
for incidents. The police department reported
no crashes at these intersections during
the study period.
The street department is in the process
of removing the lights at these intersections.
The department will repaint the crosswalks
as weather permits and install “yield to
pedestrian” signs.
The city also is eliminating some parking
spaces at these intersections because they
obstruct views from the side streets.
“The biggest obstructed view is at Main
and Second streets where we have pull-in
meetings
spaces,” said Rex Castle, the city’s safetyservice
director.
The city is removing parking spaces on
three of the four corners at Main and Second.
The yellow paint that signifies no-parking
will be extended along the curbs. Additionally,
what become the new first parking
spaces on those corners will be reserved for
compact cars to further enhance visibility.
“That should give plenty of view to see
oncoming traffic,” Castle said.
On Nov. 18, city council passed legislation
regarding the compact car designation
for those spots. Anyone who violates the
designation will be fined $25 once signs are
installed. Until then, the city will issue
warnings. The city defines a compact car as
measuring 161 to 187 inches long with a
combined passenger and cargo volume of
100 to 109 cubic feet.
The city also is removing one perpendicular
parking space on the southwest corner of
Main and Fourth streets at the courthouse.
In addition to removing the five traffic
lights, the city is replacing all of its remaining
traffic lights and controllers, moving to
brighter, more efficient LED units. The new
units have been ordered and should arrive
sometime in the next two months. The timeline
for installation will depend on weather,
Castle said.
Health District Board
The Madison County London City
Health District Board will meet at 5 p.m.
Dec. 13 at 288 Lafayette St. (former location
of ADS), London.
Retired Teachers Association
The Madison County Retired Teachers
Association will meet Dec. 13 at Brennan
Loft, 158 S. Main St., London. Ralph Ross
will perform Christmas music. Lunch is
from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. The meeting
will run from 12:30 to 1:30. For more information,
call Ray Justice at (740) 852-1705.
Central Townships
Joint Fire District
Central Townships Joint Fire District
will meet at 7:30 p.m. Dec. 15 at Deercreek
Township Hall, 75 Middle St. SE, London.
The district’s 2022 appropriations budget
will be available for inspection at that time.
Pleasant Township Trustees
The Pleasant Township trustees will
meet at 7 p.m. Dec. 20 at the township
building, 84 N. London St., Mount Sterling.
For details, call (740) 869-3755.