Published Tuesday, Sept. 28, 1999 Farrell City Council Monday went along with the wishes of residents and forbade Wheatland from building Woodland, which until now has been a paper road in the borough, from Lincoln Street to Farrell's existing portion of Woodland, which dead ends.
Councilman Louis Falconi used the issue to set an ominous tone for the merger-consolidation study being undertaken by Farrell, Wheatland, Sharpsville, Hermitage and Sharon.
"This is a small example of what's coming down the road," he said. "How can you say no to the people who live in your town?"
Wheatland Mayor Thomas Stanton agreed with that statement, if not Falconi's vote. "If you cannot connect one street between two towns how the hell can you do a study?"
Councilman William Morocco said he and a majority of council had supported Wheatland's plans up until they heard the complaints of Woodland-area residents.
"Our first obligation 99 out of 100 times is for the people who live in our town," he said.
"If we owe anything to anybody it's the people who have lived in Farrell all these years and pay their taxes," said Councilwoman Helen Marenchin.
People like George Salem, who has lived on Woodland for 30 years. He said he collected a petition with signatures of 100 Farrell residents and 10 Wheatland residents who were against completing Woodland.
"I live in a peaceful, serene, pristine neighborhood and I would like to keep it that way," he said.
Judith Vengren said Woodland is a safe place for kids to play, and neighbors look out for the area, noting that she and a neighbor take care of a lot that has been abandoned.
"Why does this street have to be put through to appease people in Wheatland?" she asked.
Julia Short said she just moved to Woodland and likes the peace and quiet. "I don't have the fear I had in other places," she said.
Councilman Robert Burich voted against the majority and said he would like to see the road go through. He said the city is turning down $25,000 in free construction to complete Woodland and redirect and improve Farrell's portion. It could possibly open up some housing development in Farrell in the future, he said.
"I don't see any reason to have that road paved," he said. "I don't think the traffic would have been that great. Nothing against the residents. I understand where they're coming from. Change is scary."
The Woodland project, which includes extending water and sewer lines, is the first step in Wheatland's plan to build five homes on Woodland.
Stanton had argued that Farrell council approved the lay out of Woodland 50 or 60 years ago and cannot go back on it now. He said he will ask Wheatland solicitor William Madden for an opinion.
If the road cannot be connected, he's not sure how construction will proceed, especially if Farrell's portion goes up to the boundary line.
"If Farrell can go up to the line and I can go up to the line, how the hell do you not connect the road?"
He added that Farrell's portion has not been maintained over the years, with trees growing up through the pavement.
