Covington Village Council approves ordinance adding stop signs at several intersections

The Covington Village Council voted unanimously on Aug. 5 to approve Ordinance 16-24, a plan to add and convert stop signs at several village intersections to address traffic speed and safety concerns.

Council Member Amy Welborn moved to approve the ordinance after the council first voted to waive the three-reading rule; Council Member Julie Blumenstock seconded the approval motion. Council President Derrick Canan presided. The council recorded "all ayes" on the motion.

The ordinance targets converting select two-way stops to four-way stops and adding some three‑way stops to push traffic toward the village's main streets and reduce vehicle speeds in residential areas. The council identified specific intersections benefiting from four‑way conversion, including North Grant and Ash streets, Ludlow and Maple, and Grant and Chestnut.

Discussion leading up to the votes framed the changes as safety-oriented traffic-calming measures rather than punitive enforcement. Councilors and the village administrator said the changes aim to direct drivers to signalized main roads and slow traffic on neighborhood streets. The council waived the usual three-reading requirement before approving the ordinance.

The ordinance's implementation timeline and installation schedule for new signage were not specified at the meeting; village staff will handle logistics and notify residents when signs are placed. The council also passed Resolution R25-24 on surplus equipment and entered an executive session later in the meeting.