Sidewalk replacements and radar speed signs moving forward as crime stays low, council hears

Public-safety and public-works items rounded out the work session as staff described near-term repairs and traffic measures.

EJ briefed the council on sidewalk replacement work scheduled for multiple addresses and said one location is the responsibility of Montgomery County utility (WSOC). The town has procured two radar-speed signs to collect before-and-after data; the first sign is already collecting baseline speed counts on Dorset Avenue and a second sign will be deployed on a neighboring block. Staff said data will be collected for a week before activating the display.

At a recent town forum, Montgomery County Police reported three crimes in calendar year 2024 (two residential break-ins and one larceny). Council and public-safety committee members emphasized continued prevention messaging (locking cars, lighting and door cameras) and a postcard/publicity campaign to reiterate messages to residents.

Council also discussed two problematic intersections (Warwick/Cumberland and Devon/Dorset), where vegetation and sight-line issues prompted notices to property owners and a plan to reassess after an April 30 compliance deadline. The body asked staff to consider relocation of a stop sign or other engineering changes and requested monthly updates and journal notices of progress.

Next steps: staff to complete sidewalk work, activate the radar signs after baseline collection, follow up on vegetation abatement, obtain DuBarry traffic-evaluation memo, and provide monthly public-safety updates.