Council resolved to fight power line

The following is the resolution adopted by Chardon City Council at its May 8 meeting opposing construction of high voltage transmission lines over the Maple Highlands Trail and through the City of Chardon:

RESOLUTION NO. 7-08

A RESOLUTION OPPOSING THE CONSTRUCTION OF HIGH VOLTAGE TRANSMISSION LINES BY AMERICAN TRANSMISSION SYSTEMS, INC. OVER THE MAPLE HIGHLANDS TRAIL AND THROUGH THE CITY OF CHARDON AND DECLARING AN EMERGENCY.

WHEREAS, the Ohio Power Siting Board is urging American Transmission Systems, Inc. to consider constructing high voltage transmission lines over the Maple Highlands Trail and through the City of Chardon, Ohio; and

WHEREAS, the proposed path of the high voltage transmission lines suggested by the Ohio Power Siting Board would begin at a location on Mayfield Road at its intersection with the Maple Highlands Trail, proceed into the City of Chardon along the trail and continue to its termination point on South Street; and it would then proceed generally following the abandoned railroad right-of-way line in a northerly direction across South Street near the Burlington Green Condominiums to Park Avenue in the vicinity of the former municipal service garage, continue behind Chardon Plaza to Water Street, continue along a path near the Burger King and car wash facilities to Center Street and then proceed from Center Street to First Energy's Fifth Avenue substation; and

WHEREAS, the construction of overhead or underground transmission lines through the City of Chardon is not in the best interest of its citizens.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, by the Council of the City of Chardon, State of Ohio, that:

SECTION 1. The Council of the City of Chardon opposes construction of high voltage transmission lines by American Transmission Systems, Inc. over the Maple Highlands Trail and through the City of Chardon.

SECTION 2: It is found and determined that all formal actions of this Council concerning and relating to the adoption of this resolution were adopted in an open meeting of this Council and that all deliberations of this Council and any of its committees that resulted in such formal action, were in meetings open to the public, in compliance with the law, including '121.22 of the Ohio Revised Code.

SECTION 3. This resolution constitutes an emergency measure necessary for the immediate preservation of the public peace, health, welfare and safety; and for the further reason that the Council of the City of Chardon wishes to communicate its strong opposition to the Ohio Power Siting Board and public officials of the State of Ohio at the earliest possible time; and for these reasons this resolution shall be effective upon its passage.

Passed and adopted this 8th day of May, 2008.