BOARDMAN — A new traffic signal in the township is causing some concern.

Located at the intersection of Maple Avenue and Southern Boulevard, the lights were first tested Friday, but are blinking caution for motorists.

The light was added because a railroad needed a protective crossing, Marilyn Kenner, township road superintendent, said during a Boardman Township trustees special meeting Monday. There are no gates to warn motorists when trains utilize the intersection.

“The gates could not be there because of the way the road is configured,” she said. “The only way they could have protection for the railroad crossing was to install a signal,” Kenner said.

Midwest and Bluegrass Rail could not be reached for comment Monday, but the Ohio Rail Commission identified the intersection as needing the light, which is intended to stop vehicle traffic for train crossings.

The township will maintain ownership of the signal, while the Ohio Department of Transportation will handle control.

A left-hand turn cannot be added to Southern Boulevard southbound, the township explained, “as there is not enough road right-of-way at that crossing.”

One business that could be impacted is Maggie’s Magic Muffins, on Southern Boulevard, closest to the new lights.

Breanna Crissman, an employee, said employees on Friday watched traffic line up back to the Southwoods medical area at DeBartolo Court.

Once customers made their way to the shop, they expressed their issues with safely entering the parking lot, Crissman said Monday afternoon.

The business reached out to the township about getting a sign telling motorists not to block the intersection, Crissman said.

To help motorists gauge where to stop for the light on Southern Boulevard southbound, a white stripe recently was painted, she said.

There is a meeting Wednesday with Midwest and Bluegrass Rail, along with engineers to discuss the signal’s timing, Kenner told trustees.

“This is one of those things we have to work through,” Kenner said earlier Monday.

Anyone with questions or concerns can call the road department at 330-726-4190, Kenner said.

Also discussed was the purchase of four police vehicles, which trustees unanimously approved.

The four 2021 Ford Explorer Police Interceptor utility vehicles were purchased for $33,073 each from Statewide Ford Lincoln in Van Wert. The marked vehicles will be used for patrol and will be customized.

Each year vehicles are rotated, police Chief Todd Werth said. Cars taken out of rotation typically have between 100,000 and 130,000 miles on them.

The force has 25 marked patrol vehicles that run about 16 hours per day, Werth said.

Werth also told trustees over the next several weeks, 10 officers will be testing body cameras and the software with them. The department is seeking state and federal grants to help with the funding.

afox@vindy.com