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A motion was made by Commissioner Carey, seconded by Commissioner Jacobs to close <br />the public hearing. <br />VOTE: UNANIMOUS <br />A motion was made by Commissioner Carey, seconded by Commissioner Gordon to approve <br />the Proposed Orange County 2001-2002 Secondary Road Improvement Program for Orange County. <br />VOTE: UNANIMOUS <br />Mike Mills said that Grady Brown Road will be posted at 45 mph and school signs will also be <br />posted. He said that once the new high school is open, they will look at putting a light up at this <br />intersection. On Lawrence Road and US 70, they have increased the size of the stop sign and added an <br />additional "Stop ahead" sign. The speed limit on U5 70 will be reduced to 40 mph and the speed limit on <br />Orange High School Road will be reduced to 40 mph. With regards to the road hazards at US 70 and <br />King Auto, they are monitoring the situation and will pursue every avenue they can. With regards to the <br />rail crossing at Buckhorn, he has talked with the rail division and they are going to put in a rubber <br />crossing. <br />Chair Halkiotis suggested that NCDOT join forces with the County on the issue at King Auto <br />and make it a joint effort. <br />Chair Halkiotis said that there is a private development going in at the corner of US 70 and St. <br />Mary's Raad. The developer has put in an extra lane for US 70 and a concrete traffic island has been <br />added. He said that the traffic lines are all messed up and there have been two or three accidents there <br />because one lane suddenly ends. Mike Mills said that he would check on this tomorrow morning. <br />Chair Halkiotis also made reference to Pathways Elementary School and said that the school <br />system is trying to get the road coming off of Highway 57 dedicated to the state because the school <br />cannot get a sign an the roadway. He said that there was no warning for trucks that there is a school on <br />the road. Mike Mills said that they were going to put warning signs on this road. <br />Chair Halkiotis made reference to crosswalks and said there needs to be a safe place to <br />cross between the new high school and Grady Brown Elementary School. <br />Chair Halkiotis mentioned signage and said that if the municipalities can put animal crossing <br />signs and the state can put deer crossing signs, then there should be "Children at play" signs. He said <br />that these signs do not encourage children to play in the street, but only warn motorists that there might <br />be children playing near the road. <br />Commissioner Jacobs said that there is a concern heading north on Orange Grove Road <br />before you come to Grady Brown Road that there are no signs to say that a school is ahead. He noted <br />that in Georgia ar Alabama they raised the crosswalks so it is atraffic-calming device. He suggested <br />using the raised crosswalks to increase pedestrian safety. <br />Commissioner Brown is interested in how NCDOT makes decisions about private groups <br />putting up road signs. Mike Mills said that only official signs could be allowed in the right-of-way. Any <br />other sign can be off the right-af-way or on a secondary road. Commissioner Brawn mentioned a <br />subdivision that has a huge sign in the right-af-way. Mike Mills said that there should not be a private <br />subdivision sign on the right-of-way. He said that a request should be sent in to his office. <br />Chair Halkiotis said that NCDOT would be receiving a petition from Abundant Life Christian <br />Academy far additional signage an the road that there is a school there. <br />Chair Halkiotis made reference to the intersection of Palmers Grove Church Road and US 70. <br />He said that there have been at least another five or six accidents in the past year at this intersection. <br />He said that there should be a traffic light at this location. <br />Chair Halkiotis said that he personally appreciates the interest that Mike Mills has taken in <br />Orange County and the traffic concerns since he has been the District Engineer. <br />b. Local Law Enforcement Block Grant Public Hearing <br />The Board conducted a public hearing for written and oral comments on the Local Law <br />Enforcement Block Grant. <br />John Link summarized the information in the agenda. He noted that this taming year the <br />award is $12,271 and will be used by the Sheriff for overtime costs. The Sheriff recommends that the <br />Community Watch Advisory Board be the advisory board for the Local Law Enforcement Block grant. <br />There were no public comments. <br />