Residents press council on potholes, speed bumps and policing; mayor says work is in progress

At the public-comment portion of the Aug. 13 meeting, resident Jennifer Robinson asked whether the ambulance payoff needed a separate agenda item; the town Treasurer said the payoff was part of the earlier truck-purchase discussion. Robinson also raised a pothole at Illinois Avenue and Bryan Street; Public Works Supervisor Taylor Keith said the repair will be covered during upcoming paving. She asked about complaints regarding speed bumps; Keith said a few complaints have been received and that the speed bumps will be painted during paving. Robinson noted Jim Link's name had been removed from the town website; Mayor Sam Maxson said Link had resigned. Robinson also asked whether Officer Nathan Lanham remained employed; Mayor Maxson said he is not.

Resident Kenneth Johnson requested a speed bump on Maryland Avenue and said he is seeing more homeless individuals and drug users in town, asking when the town could increase police presence. Mayor Maxson said efforts to address public-safety concerns are in progress and suggested a neighborhood-watch approach as one option. No formal action or vote resulted from public comment during the meeting.