A group of residents has petitioned Clarkston Community Schools to repave E. Church Street, a private road serving both homeowners and the school district.
Cliff and Delores Smart presented the petition with 13 signatures at the Monday, Aug. 9 meeting of the board of education.
‘The school buses have caused that portion of the street to become badly in need of resurfacing,? Delores Smart said. ‘We’re only asking for a one-time resurfacing to remedy the many years of disrepair and lack of maintenance.?
The Smarts have lived on E. Church Street for about 40 years, and said the school district had previously paved the street because of school bus traffic at what is now the Community Education Center.
Delores Smart said she thought it would be a good opportunity for the district to do the paving at a good price, ‘since you are doing so much paving in the district? and ‘it is such a small stretch.?
Since bus routes have been altered in recent years, Smart believes the one-time repaving should hold up under regular vehicle traffic for many years.
School officials voiced sympathy, but board President Karen Foyteck said state law prohibits use of bond dollars for such paving unless it is deemed ‘vital for student safety.?
Superintendent Al Roberts said, ‘That leaves us with one other pool of money and that’s the general fund.? He quickly noted how recent years have led to numerous reductions in spending. ‘It would be up to the board to decide whether they want to divert money from any capital needs we are presently using general fund dollars with to take on that particular task.?
Bruce Beamer, executive director of business and financial services, said he is obtaining cost estimates for the project just for the sake of discussion. He wondered about a possible cost-sharing agreement.
‘Would the citizens be willing to do that if the price came in right? That’s something I would like to hear from the citizens,? Beamer said.
Mrs. Smart said that had not been discussed among the neighbors.
Board Treasurer Ron Sullivan suggested approaching Independence Township government for assistance as had his neighborhood. Other trustees noted Sullivan lives on a public street.
While not promising an easy answer, Roberts promised the couple a call when more cost information is available.
‘Another option is to return it to its natural state,? Roberts said, suggesting maintenance of a gravel road might be easier than continuing to patch the damaged pavement.