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Residents urge action on Burns Avenue safety, a leaking water meter and elder dining options
Summary
Citizens raised safety concerns at the McDonald’s/Burns Avenue area, reported a prolonged water-meter leak, and requested a community dining option for older residents; commissioners responded with plans for meetings, speed-sign visibility, and upcoming traffic enforcement measures.
Lake Wales — Multiple residents used the May 6 public-comment period to press the City Commission to address traffic safety on Burns Avenue, a reported long-running leak at a water meter, and a request for a restaurant-style senior dining option.
Cassandra Richards, who lives on Freeland Road, told the commission about a recent three-car crash near the McDonald’s downtown and said a water meter outside her property had leaked for months. Richards said city crews only recently responded after she had called repeatedly. She also asked the commission to support a return of family-style eateries where older residents could get home-cooked meals.
Anne Richards spoke about the need for clearer and more frequent speed-limit signage along Burns Avenue, saying a long stretch lacked visible signs and that signs were obscured by overhanging branches. She suggested the city study sign placement across the city to improve visibility.
Commissioner Williams thanked the citizens from the downtown restaurant who helped a child after an apparent robbery and offered to meet with Cassandra Richards and community partners to explore volunteer and church-based supports for elder meals. Commissioner Thompson noted trucks and construction traffic contributing to neighborhood wear and said police presence has been active near impacted streets; he also tied the commission’s recent approval of red-light and school-zone cameras to broader efforts to change driver behavior and improve safety.
City staff noted upcoming placement of speed-control measures in the Harlem Meadow area (as referenced by a commissioner) and said the red-light-camera program will include public notice of activation dates; no immediate budget appropriation for a senior dining program was discussed during the meeting.
