Resident Ray Cipollini asks council whether Burnt Church Road multi‑use paths remain in plans

Ray Cipollini, a member of the public, asked the Beaufort County Council during public comment whether the original 2018 design features for the Burnt Church Road project — specifically two protected multi‑use paths, one on each side of the road — remain included in the current refurbishment plan and requested the timeline and the status of funds allocated from the 2018 penny sales tax.

Cipollini said he retrieved a document from the county website that moved the project into an upgrade/refurbishment category and said the earlier plan called for protected multi‑use paths. He asked where the 2018 sales‑tax money “went.” The chair replied that public comment does not include immediate staff responses but noted that Mr. Freilich (staff) was present and that Cipollini could meet with him after the meeting for details.

Why it matters: the presence or absence of protected multi‑use paths affects cyclists, pedestrians and neighborhood connectivity along Burnt Church Road. Residents asking for clarity about previously promised infrastructure and prior referendum funds stressed local accountability.

Next steps: the council directed that staff follow up; the transcript records the chair telling Cipollini that Mr. Freilich is in the room and staff can meet with the resident after the public comment period to discuss specifics and the allocation of prior sales‑tax proceeds.

Attribution: statements in this item are attributable to Ray Cipollini (public commenter) and to the meeting chair; staff follow‑up was offered but no program change or vote occurred.