By Kimberly Gasuras
CCN Reporter

BUCYRUS — Local residents will soon be able to take advantage of a new bike path.

Former Bucyrus City Council member and Bucyrus resident Bill O’Rourke spoke to city council Tuesday evening about a proposed bike path from Southern Avenue to the Friendship Bridge at Aumiller Park.

“Last year, I was on the finance committee and we took the bike path out of the budget,” O’Rourke said. “There is only so much money to spend.”

O’Rourke said that in the 2018 budget, a police cruiser was needed at a cost of $40,000 or $22,000 could be allotted for the bike path and $20,000 for a city tree program.

“We chose the police cruiser,” O’Rourke said.

He pointed out that the city should not be putting the bike path back in the mix.

Mayor Jeff Reser said his administration is not pessimistic and wants to provide for the young people of the city. He said the largest growing population of the city is 20 to 29-years-old.

Council approved an appropriation of $22,000, the city’s 20 percent share with the state paying the remaining 80 percent of the cost of the bike path, along with several other appropriations. The issue passed with all council members voting yes except Dan Wirebaugh, who gave a no vote.

Council also approved a contract with the Fraternal Order of Police and traffic map changes at West Mansfield Street and Poplar, West Mansfield and Spring Streets and West Mary at Poplar Street from traffic lights to four-way stops.

Reser read city service safety director, Jeff Wagner’s report which includes:

  • The Aumiller Park Pool is scheduled to open on May 26.
  • The start date for the Plymouth Street project is June 18 and it will be completed one block at a time.
  • The city is looking for a seasonal park employee. Applications can be picked up at the mayor’s office.
  • Information about service line warranties for water and sewer lines can be found on the back of residents’ utility bills.
  • The Oakwood Avenue crossing should be completed within the next two weeks, according to Norfolk and Southern.
  • Wagner congratulated Lt. Eric McNutt on his promotion within the Bucyrus Fire Department and the city’s newest police officer, Douglas McDonald.

The next council meeting will be held at 7 p.m. on June 5 in Council Chambers at Bucyrus City Hall.