No one likes potholes, but a technique used to keep them from opening up is not going over well in some Canton neighborhoods.
It's called the Canton Chip and Seal Program, but some residents are now grumbling that streets in their subdivisions look like gravel.
The method uses liquid asphalt and stones are placed on top of it. Canton has been using chip and seal for three years.
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However, many people, including some living on Wood Owl Street, don't like the look. Beyond that, they're frustrated that the city didn't notify them about the sudden street changes.
The crunching sound of tires rolling over the stones is not something Brenda Lancaster-Baylor wanted or expected on the street where she has lived for 17 years.
"This is not a conducive surface for anybody. You can't even walk on it," Lancaster-Baylor said. "I'm just trying to stay calm. That's better for me."
Canton City Engineer Dan Moeglin said chip and seal is preventative maintenance which helps keep potholes from reoccurring. The stone that doesn't settle will be swept away in a week.
"The key is it extends the life of the pavement. It's significantly less expensive than doing full-blown mill and fill hot asphalt," Moeglin said.
Moeglin admits the city failed to notify the neighbors on Wood Owl Street about the project.
"The first year I do believe we sent out out notices to property owners just to kind of let them know what was coming and kind of the overall process. That wasn't done this year and it certainly should have been done."
Councilman Bill Smuckler said he has received many chip and seal complaints and questions whether the city should continue using the method. He said there's a growing movement among council members against it.
"Do it right. Spend the money right the first time and don't do it wrong, but you're going to have to come back in and fix it one way or the other," Smuckler said.
However, the city has no plans to stop using chip and seal. There are 24 streets, measuring nearly 35,000 feet, on the current list to receive the liquid asphalt and stones treatment.
Lancaster-Baylor plans to continue to speak out against chip and seal and said she wants her street the way it once was.
"I want them to pave it correctly. I want them to take this out and I want them to resurface it like it should be done."
