BLANCHESTER — Columbus Street residents no longer need to worry that motorists on their street will (legally) be driving even faster.

During Thursday’s meeting, the Blanchester Village Council decided to withdraw an ordinance that would’ve increased the speed limit from 25 mph to 35 mph on Columbus Street. A second reading was scheduled to be held, but council member Reilly Hopkins made the motion to withdraw it.

“We did have some concerns from the residents. I did go out and talk to some … and got kind of the same response,” said Mayor John Carmen. “They feel like raising the speed limit gives people the opportunity to speed even more.”

Hopkins told Carman he had spoken to several citizens as well, which led him to suggest the ordinance be withdrawn.

If approved, the speed would’ve been increased for the stretch of Columbus Street between Pansy Pike and Center Street. The change had been recommended by officials including Blanchester Safety Council.

Residents and village officials voiced concerns on the new ordinance at the Oct. 24 council meeting. Streets Department Supervisor Wayne Clifton expressed concerns the increase would be near Putman Elementary School.

Peter Kieffer, a resident at the corner of Baldwin and Columbus Street, advised council that, “The speed limit may be 25, but (drivers) fly up and down 40, 50 miles per hour. I don’t let any animals outside anymore.”

Also during council:

• Carmen shared that he, Hopkins, and Utilities Director Ram Reddy were members of Blanchester’s winning bucket ball team at the 2019 Choice One Engineer charity event early this month. The three attended the event where they connected with officials from other villages and helped raise over $20,000 for Sweet Cheeks Diaper Bank — a Cincinnati non-profit to help less fortunate families get diapers for their children.

• Council held a second reading for the proposed 2020 budget. The budget set at $14,212,499.37 is an over $900,000 increase from the 2019 budget.