Cloverdale town officials 'keep foot on accelerator' to prep for growth

For the several years, Cloverdale town officials have tried to put the town in a favorable position for future growth. 

Those attempts continued this week, as town council president Brandon Tancak and town manager Jason Hartman divulged plans that resident Eric Hayman wants to deed a private drive to the city. 

Hartman said it's an opportunity for the town to take over the drive, which is located between the Cloverdale Kitchen Travel Plaza and Arby's, originated from a conversation between himself and Hayman. 

"We had been reluctant in the past to do that because of the condition of the road. It was repaved last week and is greatly improved from where it was. We had talked we would possibly do the same thing we did with Bennington Way, take ownership of the private road and then go in for Community Crossings Matching Grants. He wants to deed it to us immediately," Hartman said. 

The announcement didn't come without some conversation by the three council members who were on hand for the meeting. 

Councilman Greg Jay said he was in favor of it, pointing to the fact the road is part of the gateway to Cloverdale. 

Tancak voiced his opinion, saying he believed it was in council's best interest to "have our foot on the accelerator," saying it is a matter of when, not if, parcels of land began selling in that general area. 

"I think it would be in our best interest to accept ownership of the road. Yes, trucks are going to tear it up, but that is the part of doing business. We have a huge plant in the works that will be built at the end of that road, and who knows what else will come," Tancak said. 

Hartman said that should the town agree to take over the road, Hayman would grant the easement to the town for its upcoming water main extension at no cost. 

"We are going to need easement along this stretch of road when we do the final section there," Hartman said. 

Hartman also mentioned the benefits to doing the deal. 

"There are benefits to going ahead and obtaining this. I think him resurfacing it bought us a few years. It has not been surveyed and there are two parcels. We are going to have to take care of the road with plowing and fixing potholes," Hartman said. 

Council voted 3-0 in favor of accepting the road. Tancak said doing so made perfect sense to him. 

"As I said, we have our feet on the gas pedal and are preparing the town for success. It's not a matter of it, but when the flood gates open. We will be ready for it. We are on the verge of a huge breakthrough and I hope the county is paying attention as well to what we are doing in Cloverdale. The business owner who owns that road knows what our end goal is and we are willing to work with him and he's working with us. It is a win win for all parties involved," Tancak told The Putnam County Post.