Local Radar

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Johnston Town Council August meeting tackles multiple issues

web posted August 14, 2007
JOHNSTON – The Johnston Town Council held their regular monthly meeting with no agenda items or business listed. Mayor Campbell opened the floor to public comments which drew two concerns from residents. The first was an unkept lot on Bland Avenue and the use of fireworks in the town after midnight. Mrs. Walker, of Johnston, said she would like to see Watson Park designated as a place for people to shoot fireworks so it does not create a problem for local residents.

Mayor Campbell said a letter would be sent to the property owners on the lot mentioned to address the problem. On the fire works issue Campbell said he has spoken to Johnston Police Chief Aston and that no fireworks should be used a week after the fourth of July. It was not made clear if the town has an ordinance stating the use of fireworks is limited to certain times of the year.

Councilman Tommy Burton raised concerns over the location of the proposed sidewalk for Lee Street saying that he felt the sidewalk should begin at the IGA Food Store and end where the funds run out rather than from town and end before reaching the IGA. Burton said that the way the project is designed it will not help alleviate the problems encountered by people who walk to and from the store on Highway 121. “We need sidewalks where people won’t be up against the rail or in the grass,” Burton said referring to the guardrail located just above the grocery store.

Mayor Campbell said that changing the plans now would cost more money and that it would further limit the length of the sidewalk already approved. Councilman Burton said he understood that but did not understand why it was not done with more input from the town council. “I don’t know who made the decision,” Burton said, “but it wasn’t made by the full council.”

Mayor Campbell said the town would apply for a “phase 2” of the sidewalk project to include the area of the IGA store in the future. “Appling for it don’t mean we’ll get it,” Mr. Burton countered.

Administrator Olin Gambrell gave his report stating that the second phase of the Sawyer Alley project was scheduled to begin this week. He also noted that the asphalt used to pave the first phase would have to be removed because it did not meet specifications. Gambrell said that when phase two in completed the entire length of the project would be repaved.

The Community Development Block Grant project on Johnson Street, the “rehab” of selected homes, is being let for bids Mr. Gambrell said. The Streetscape (sidewalk project) will be discussed at a “pre-bid meeting” at 10am on Tuesday and those interested in submitting a bid should attend. Bidding will be open August 28 and 1 pm.

Bids for a new bathroom at the Jaycee Park should be ready in a few weeks Mr. Gambrell said adding that it will be a “uni-sex” facility and that there will be specifications that would hinder someone being able to enter the facility to cause harm.

The remodeling of the Johnston Police Department was said to begin in two weeks, but no end date for the project was offered. Mr. Gambrell also said that the town has received notification as to the amount of Parks, Recreation, and Transportation allotment which would be $6,200.

Mayor Campbell addressed funding from the county council on recreation and said he would be attending future county council meetings to seek additional funds for the town.

With no other business the meeting was adjourned.

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