A Better Intersection at East Orange, North, and Mill Streets

Before we make permanent the three-way stop at this intersection we should decide how to improve it for all users.

I have a love/hate relationship with this intersection. I love it because I use it all the time to get to the library, or the River Walk Trail. Hate it because it’s a poster child for lousy street design. The streets come together at odd angles, the lines of sight are poor, and the intersection itself is unnecessarily large. It’s a massive amount of asphalt, and there’s only one place for a person to cross.

Back in June of 2023 I did a deep dive, recorded a bunch of videos of drivers ignoring the stop sign, and put together some ideas about how it could be made safer. In October of that year I followed up with some additional thoughts after a two-vehicle collision.

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Village Council Early February Meeting

Village Council met Monday evening, where the police department recognized their Officer of the Year, we all learned a little bit about odor control at the wastewater treatment plant, and the Carriage Stone sidewalk plan passed another big milestone.

Quick Hits

  • Jason Fischer is CFPD’s 2024 Officer of the Year
  • Council authorized the administration to put the Evergreen Cemetery Expansion project out to bid
  • At the request of some downwind neighbors, the village will continue working to improve odor control at the Wastewater Treatment Plant
  • Council approved all event applications from the Jaycees and United Methodist Church

Carriage Stone Sidewalks

After more than twenty years (!) of off-and-on discussions Carriage Stone sidewalks are one step closer to becoming reality. Council passed a Resolution of Necessity by a vote of 6 - 0 (one council member was absent). Although I was an early proponent of this project the decision to vote in favor of it was not an easy one. The majority of the cost of construction (estimated to be around $10,000 each) will be borne by the neighboring property owners, and support for the project was not unanimous. Earlier this year an anonymous survey was sent to all 35 of those who will be assessed. The survey consisted of a single question: are you in favor of or opposed to building a sidewalk?

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Parks Commission February Meeting

The Parks Commission met Wednesday and reviewed a lot of park event applications, caught up on business in Riverside and Grove Hill Parks, and heard a proposal from Dogwood Valley Garden Club.

Housekeeping

Anne Wombwell de Coningh was reelected chair, and the December meeting minutes were approved.

Park Event Applications

A year’s worth of Jaycees event applications were recommended to council, including the Easter Egg Hunt, Blossom Time, Trucks by the Falls, Oktubafest, Holiday Display, Lighting of the Greens, and Deck the Falls.

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