Residents warn of unsafe conditions as new school opens on Horseman Club Road; commissioners seek short‑ and long‑term fixes

Residents and commissioners told the Putnam County Board on Tuesday that a new school opening on Horseman Club Road will put children at risk unless the county, school district and city coordinate traffic control and infrastructure fixes.

Public commenter Tiffany Croer said vehicles routinely exceed posted speeds and urged permanent traffic calming: "Speed humps or tables are the only way that the issue will be resolved," she told commissioners, noting close proximity to student and equestrian traffic.

Public works staff and commissioners outlined short‑term and long‑term options. Staff said the school district's engineers plan two lanes of ingress and flashing school beacons at the site; temporary measures proposed included a speed‑awareness trailer and radar‑flash signs that display approaching motorists' speeds. "If staff will get us a price on two [devices], and if we want to multiply that per school, we can do that," Commissioner Alexander said, offering discretionary funds to help initial deployment.

Longer‑term solutions discussed included curb, gutter and piped ditches to create room for sidewalks, and pursuing state transportation grants (TAP) or joint appropriations with the school district and nearby municipalities. Public works cautioned that installing speed tables or other traffic calming across the county requires a policy that sets selection criteria, funding and placement; staff said they would return with cost estimates and an expedited schedule to address the immediate school openings.

Commissioners emphasized coordination: they directed staff to schedule a joint meeting with the school district and city to develop a funding and design plan for immediate protective measures and longer term infrastructure improvements.