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Council split over taking Harney Road early to install speed‑calming devices
Summary
Council debated whether to accept early maintenance of the Harney Road segment inside town so it can install speed‑calming measures using red‑speed‑camera funds. Staff cited speed surveys showing roughly 2,300 and 1,300 citations in opposite directions over a seven‑day sample; several council members asked for broader prioritization data and cost estimates before assuming maintenance responsibility.
A lengthy, at times heated exchange focused on Harney Road dominated the latter part of the meeting as council considered accepting early possession of the municipal segment of a county road so the town could deploy speed‑calming devices funded by red‑speed‑camera revenue.
City staff said recent speed surveys showed an unusually high volume of speed infractions on Harney Road — roughly 2,300 citations in one direction and about 1,300 in the other over a seven‑day sample — and argued that transferring maintenance earlier would allow the town to install rumble strips, rapid flashing beacons and other calming measures more quickly than waiting on county processes.
Several council members sympathized with residents but pressed for more data and fiscal analysis before taking on maintenance: they requested the paved width and condition of the road, county assessments of the road’s health, cost estimates for candidate calming measures (temporary and permanent), and a prioritized, multi‑year plan for how the town will allocate the roughly $300,000 currently budgeted for public‑safety traffic devices. Opponents of immediate transfer warned of long‑term maintenance liabilities and the town’s limited tax base to support additional street maintenance costs.
Council asked staff to compile recent speed‑survey reports and enforcement citation data across the town so councilors can compare Harney with other problem corridors (Roberts Mill, Grand Avenue and others). Staff agreed to gather those surveys and provide the requested financial and infrastructure condition information to council before a final decision, and to add the Harney maintenance/transfer item to the next agenda for potential motion.
