City makes decision on quiet zone
By Ben Saylor
Rocky River
Published May 9, 2007

Rocky River City Council, in a close poll, supported the pursuit of a 24-hour quiet zone, following a discussion at last Monday’s committee-of-the-whole meeting.

Councilmen Thomas Hunt, James Moran, Frank Gollinger and Council President Brian Hagan all voted in favor of a 24-hour time frame in which train engineers would not be obligated to blow their horns when passing through Rocky River. Councilmen-at-large Brian Hurtuk and Thomas Long did not vote for a 24 hour zone, and neither did Councilwoman-at-large Linda Bartolozzi.

Mayor Pamela Bobst had advocated for a more limited quiet zone that would be effective only between the hours of 10 p.m. and 7 a.m.

Gollinger both stated that the feedback they received from residents was largely in favor of a 24 hour quiet zone. They reported similar feedback the last time the issue was discussed.

Hunt acknowledged the concern 10-7 proponents have about safety, and how that could possibly be impacted by a 24-hour quiet zone. But, he said, “Everyone has nothing but the safety of the residents in mind.” He added that he “wouldn’t feel comfortable” not voicing the residents’ support of a 24-hour zone.

Hunt also said that the fact that the city would not be required to spend money on supplemental safety measures factored into the majority of the support for a 24-hour zone.

“I think that has changed a lot of people’s minds,” Hunt said.

Gollinger also came back with “overwhelming” feedback from residents in favor of a 24-hour zone. Like Hunt, he acknowledged safety concerns, but said that with the safety features currently in place on the city’s crossings, coupled with increased enforcement as well as education about the dangers of crossings, that safety would still be upheld. Gollinger also reminded the group that train engineers always have the right to sound their horn in the event of an emergency.

Hunt and Gollinger faced opposition from other members of council. Of the 10-7 quiet zone, Bartolozzi told West Life, “That’s all I feel is absolutely necessary at this point.”

Bartolozzi said that she wouldn’t want the city to approve a 24-hour zone and then have to scale back in the event of a change in train count numbers. She also said it was important to eliminate nighttime noise, and that the 10-7 zone would address that issue.

Bobst acknowledged that many residents have been in favor of a 24-hour quiet zone, but said that many of the ones she has spoken to about the issue have come around after hearing her position.

Bobst also said it would be very difficult to institute a 24-hour zone and then scale it back if there were complaints or issues with that time frame.

“I think it makes a lot of sense for our community,” Bobst told West Life before the meeting.