Woodruff explores grant options, solar flashing lights to slow traffic and repair sidewalks

Town of Woodruff residents and officials spent a large portion of the meeting discussing options to repair sidewalks and slow traffic through the town.

Speaker 1 and Speaker 3 said they had previously considered applying for sidewalk grants and asked whether a specific program discussed earlier still exists. Speaker 3 pointed to examples in nearby towns — including Randolph's path to the vet and work around the Woodruff House and Seminary building — saying those projects may offer models for funding and design. Speaker 3 noted that some grants are tied to recreational infrastructure and suggested the town ask grant coordinators whether sidewalks could qualify under parks-and-trails or Safe Routes to School programs.

Participants also discussed traffic-calming measures for a T-intersection and other problem spots. Ideas raised included conventional slow-down signage, placing a decommissioned police car as a visual deterrent, and installing solar-powered flashing lights or radar-speed signs. Speaker 4 said the town previously purchased a flashing unit after the state declined to act and reported an approximate cost "I think it was 6 to $8" (units not specified in the meeting). Speaker 4 offered to ask "April" and to check with Clay Barker about where Randolph obtained its funding and vendor information.

Speaker 1 and others emphasized the safety rationale: the group noted higher summertime traffic volumes from nearby routes and visitors, and the presence of a school made the Safe Routes to School programs a potential match for funding. No formal grant application was filed during the meeting; the immediate direction from the discussion was for staff/volunteers (Speaker 4/Clay) to identify potential funders and return with specifics at a later meeting.

The discussion referenced the Community Infrastructure Board (CIB) and the idea of including the school to increase grant eligibility, but there was no formal vote or commitment beyond the request to investigate options.

Next steps: Speaker 4 will ask April and Clay Barker where Randolph and other nearby towns sourced their funding and report back to the group. The town did not set a deadline for an application during this meeting.