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Residents press Bluff City leaders on ballpark parking, boardwalk lighting and persistent drainage problem
Summary
Residents urged action on overcrowded parking at the town ballpark, repeated boardwalk lighting outages and a long-running drainage and road-bank erosion issue; staff said they are scheduling games to reduce congestion, exploring solar lighting and will coordinate parking measures with the police department.
Residents used both public-comment periods to press the Board of Mayor and Aldermen to address recurring quality-of-life and safety problems: parking congestion at the town ballpark, boardwalk lighting outages, railroad crossing safety and an ongoing drainage bank erosion issue.
At the meeting a resident identified by address (508 Cedar Street) asked whether the town had plans to ease ballpark parking and mentioned insufficient lights on the boardwalk. Town staff said they are working with youth-sports organizers to stagger scheduling and are exploring traffic-control measures and signage with the police department; staff also said they are looking at solar-powered lighting for the boardwalk to avoid repeated vandalism of wiring.
A separate public commenter asked whether the town had contacted the railroad about adding a crossing gate to improve safety near a local school route; the mayor said she would reach out to the railroad but noted installation decisions rest with the railroad company.
Kathy Leonard of 316 Lane spoke at length about a drainage problem and bank erosion near Boone Lake. “I want my hole filled in,” Leonard said, describing repeated flooding and erosion that she said has worsened and asking the board to identify who can fix the problem and when.
Board members thanked residents for raising concerns and said staff would continue to work on scheduling, signage and long-term solutions; one board member noted a sidewalk grant for the ball field had been revived and would include a crosswalk and light to improve safety.
