The Newton Board of Aldermen have decided not to install a stop sign on West Church Street after residents asked for one to help prevent speeding on the main throughfare.
During the March 1 meeting, residents from Ward 5 approached the board with several action items that could help improve the quality of life in their ward and help improve property values.
One issue that has been ongoing in Ward 5 has been the issue of speeding and tractor-trailers using the road despite it being illegal to do so.
To help fix the issue, the residents asked for a stop sign to be installed on the roadway. During the March 15 meeting, Police Chief Randy Patrick said the best spot for a stop sign would be at the Walnut Street intersection.
However, Ward 5 Alderwoman Temeka Drummond said she didn’t think the stop sign would make a difference. In fact, she doesn’t think the speeding is much of an issue.
“I can’t see how you can speed through there,” Drummond said. “I’ve driven down there in four different vehicles, and I can go faster than about 38 miles per hour. I’ve also sat out there at different times of the night, and I haven’t seen very many people speeding.”
She said she would not support installing a stop sign on West Church Street.
Mayor Antonio Hoye suggested putting rumble strips on the street to possibly slow down traffic, but City Manager Jay Powell said that rumble strips would not last long.
Outside asking for more police patrols along West Church Street, Drummond and the rest of the aldermen did not have any solutions for the speeding and the truck traffic.
In other business, the aldermen:
• approved its healthcare quote for Blue Cross Blue Shield and bridge insurance plan for employees. The quote didn’t change.
• approved $1,365.27 maintenance coverage for Kone Inc. for elevator maintenance.
• tabled sending courtesy letters to numerous properties until department heads can determine what those properties are in violation of.
• Paid $1,000 to East Central Planning and Development from local funds as a match and $13,781.16 to Cornerstone Engineering for the 2020 sewer project.
• Received donations of $125 to the beautification committee.
• chose the certificate of deposit for the depot account in the amount of $8,353.95 at an interest rate of 0.25% for 12 months.
• will purchase 6 smoke free signs at a total cost of $198.90.
• reset a hearing on the Monique Robinson and Larry Morgan properties.
• approved payments to Neel-Shaffer in the amounts of $1,894.24 and $600 on the hangar project at the airport.
• set a work session to discuss city ordinances on Monday, April 4, at 4 p.m.
