Whitehouse wins grant for pedestrian hybrid beacons

WHITEHOUSE – With concerns about pedestrians and cyclists crossing S.R. 64 – especially after an injury accident last summer – Whitehouse applied for Ohio Department of Transportation funding to install pedestrian hybrid beacons (PHB) in two locations.

During the May 5 Whitehouse Village Council meeting, Public Service Director Mike Hill shared that ODOT awarded the village a grant that will cover 90 percent of the $417,000 cost to install these signals where S.R. 64 (Waterville Street) meets Whitehouse Square Boulevard and the multi-use path in front of the Whitehouse Library. 

Both intersections currently have flashing yellow beacons that can be activated at the press of a button, but motorists only need to stop if someone is already in the crosswalk. This has caused confusion, for both those using the crosswalk and motorists, despite an educational campaign by the police department last year.

“I think that the PHB is going to eliminate a lot of driver and pedestrian confusion,” said Police Chief Allan Baer. The current yellow-only flashers are helpful, but we have had some close calls and near misses due to uncertainty as to ‘right of way.’ The proposed PHB should make crossing S.R. 64 much safer for pedestrians, cyclists and vehicle operators.” 

With the PHB, two red lenses are set above a single yellow lens. These lenses remain dark until a pedestrian pushes the call button to activate the beacon, which initiates a yellow to red lighting sequence of flashing, then steady lights to direct motorists to slow, and then come to a stop for a solid red light. This provides a right-of-way for pedestrians to enter the crosswalk and safely cross the roadway before the lights go dark again. 

According to ODOT, 74 percent of pedestrian fatalities occur at non-intersection locations, and vehicle speeds are often a major contributing factor. In both locations, the speed limit is 45 mph. The average daily use of S.R. 64 in that stretch is 8,300 vehicles per day, according to 2025 data from ODOT.

Once the new signals are installed in 2028, the existing flashing signals placed in those intersections will be saved for use in other areas of the village, Hill said.

During the meeting, council also:

-Thanked Whitehouse Chief Operations Officer Josh Hartbarger for his 25 years with the village, beginning as a volunteer firefighter. Hartbarger was named the new administrator for the City of Maumee, and his last day working for Whitehouse is June 1. Hartbarger thanked the village and the many mentors who helped him throughout the years. 

-Congratulated the members of the Whitehouse Primary School Kid Council, including Mayor Addison Kozek and council members Nora Lindsay, Tyson McGill, Linkin Rusch and Ashton Villhauer. The students will represent their peers during a May 15 Kid Council meeting at the school with Whitehouse Village Council members. Judge Daniel Hazard will swear in the council members, who will select a design for flags to hang throughout the village. 

-Approved the use of village streets for The Distinguished Gentleman’s Ride, a worldwide motorcycle event in which riders dress in classic, dapper attire and ride vintage style bikes, on Sunday, May 17 from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. The ride raises funds for the Movember Foundation, which raises awareness of men’s health issues, such as prostate cancer, testicular cancer, and men’s suicide, said David Ludwig, owner of Ludwig Clock and Watch Repair.

-Learned that the Anthony Wayne Community Chamber of Commerce is hosting a farmers market on Sundays from 1 to 4 p.m. between June 14 and August 30. In addition to produce, the market will feature artisans and vendors, all set up in the Whitehouse Park pavilion, said organizer Stephanie Phillips.

-Appointed Joe Urenovitch to the Spencer Township Joint Economic Development Zone Board. He is an attorney with an office in Whitehouse.

-Congratulated the three new businesses in the Shops at Blue Creek: Green Alchemy, Turner Martial Arts and Top Me Off Refill Shop.

-Listened to Mayor Rich Bingham share how he met with representatives of the Sister Cities program during a recent event in Toledo. He asked if Council would be in favor of exploring having a sister city for the village, and, if so, which continent or country they would be interested in.

The program strengthens business ties and enhances cultural learning, he noted. Law director Kevin Heban said that cities or villages named Whitehouse exist in Jamaica, Malaysia, South Africa and other countries. Bingham said he would ask a representative to come to a meeting to answer questions.

-Heard Public Works Director Hill say that he spoke with ARS about options for canceling trash pickup on windy days. ARS advised that any resident who wished to delay pickup could call and ask to leave extra trash out the following week. 

-Learned that the AW Senior Connection program is working with Maumee Senior Center on partnering for programming. The center offers meals each Friday at Waterville Branch Library. The center will offer a sign-up event for the Ohio Department of Aging’s Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Program on Wednesday, May 13 from 10 a.m. to noon in village hall. 

-Heard that Cherry Fest is June 11-13 and council members, along with Kid Council and mayor, will be on a float during the Saturday parade.

-Learned that the etched metal Whitehouse sign was placed at the park on May 4.

-Heard that the fire department has provided CPR training to 52 citizens so far this year.

-Listened to Council Member Carrie Tuohy ask that the mayor and council president share with all council members any information from meetings they have outside of council.

-Heard Cuncil Member Dave Riggenbach ask for details on the process for filling the chief operations officer’s position. 

-Welcomed FalconForge AI representative Brandon Elliott, who shared how his company is working with area communities to prepare for HB 96 compliance and manage its cybersecurity.