Motorists in Brownstown and Medora should be aware of new ordinances put in place by town councils.

During a recent meeting, the Brownstown Town Council approved the third and final reading to make the intersection of Bloomington Road, Frances Street and Elm Street a four-way stop.

Previously, only traffic on Frances and Elm streets had to stop. A resident who lives near the intersection had approached the council and suggested stop signs be added to stop traffic on Bloomington Road, too, mainly because a garage along the north side of the road makes visibility difficult.

Each of the three readings was approved by the council. The final one came on a 4-0 vote with Councilman Mark Reynolds absent.

In Medora, four-way stops at Scott and David streets and Jackson and Main streets have been proposed by a resident to slow motorists down. Currently, only traffic traveling on Scott and Jackson streets stop. That means stop signs would be added on David and Main streets.

During the October meeting, the council asked town attorney Matt Lorenzo to draft an ordinance for the four-way stops. That will be introduced during tonight’s council meeting at the town hall and will require approval of two readings to go into effect.

Also during the October meeting, the Medora council approved the second and final reading of an ordinance to ban parking on North Mill Street from Adam Street to State Road 235 and on First Street from David Street to Mill Street.

A public hearing and first reading of the ordinance had taken place at the September meeting.

Now having a no-parking ordinance allows law enforcement to fine those who violate it.

The ordinance also makes North Mill Street between First Street and State Road 235 one way northbound only.

Previously, when people parked vehicles along Mill Street, it made the street narrow and difficult for two vehicles to pass each other.

“If somebody is coming off of the highway and somebody else is coming, there is just no room,” Councilwoman Rhonda Freeman said.

“There are all kinds of cars that park on the south side of the road, and there’s nobody (parking) in the driveways,” Ault said. “The last time I came down through there to go to the water tower, I couldn’t turn off the highway because I had to wait for a vehicle to come out on the highway so I could get off the highway. That’s a good way to cause an accident.”

Town employee Steve Ingle said in the wintertime, he has a hard time clearing snow and ice from the streets in that area because of vehicles parked in the way.

Back to Brownstown, also during the recent council meeting, Councilwoman Sharon Koch said a school bus driver expressed concern to her about vehicles parking against traffic along town streets. The bus has nearly been hit by drivers pulling into the street from being parked on the wrong side of the road.

Police Chief Tom Hanner said a town ordinance requires vehicles to be parked in the direction of traffic flow.

Council President Gregg Goshorn said the council would review the ordinance and share information on the town’s Facebook page so motorists are aware of the ordinance.