One of the most notable discussions revolved around safety concerns raised by a resident, Crystal Barkley, regarding the intersection of St. Joseph Street and Lafayette Drive. Barkley, a Lafayette Drive resident, urged the board to install a stop sign due to vehicles speeding from Eastern Avenue. She cited a near-miss involving her child and expressed fears for the safety of children biking in the area. The board acknowledged the issue, noting the absence of stop signs along Notre Dame Street and mentioned ongoing studies to address traffic patterns.

The board also dealt with traffic management challenges at Diamond Regional Vocational Technical High School. Superintendent Director Brian Bentley and architect Greg Joy presented concerns about construction-related traffic changes necessitating no-parking zones on Locust and Hyest Streets. They emphasized that parked cars could obstruct traffic flow, particularly during peak drop-off and pickup times for school buses. Bentley stated, “We expect that when the traffic is circling the building to exit… we clear out that area.” Joy added that the school’s entrance relocation would help alleviate congestion on Stone Haven Road but cautioned about narrow streets like Locust and Hyest. The board recognized the need for signage to ensure safety during construction.

The board discussed proposed curb cuts at various locations, starting with a new 16-foot curb opening on Etna Street. Similar curb cut requests on High Street and Salisbury Street were also approved, having met with no objections from the engineering department.

In addition, the board considered interim traffic solutions during school construction. The construction of a new building at a school site was anticipated to resolve queuing issues caused by bus, student, and parent traffic. However, until the building is completed, the board explored temporary measures. The discussion included adjusting no-parking signage on Fenoir Street to better match school operating hours, ultimately approving a change from 7:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

The board reviewed several applications for handicapped parking spaces, each with unique circumstances. For example, an applicant on Wade Street cited shared parking challenges and secured a property manager’s letter confirming driveway inaccessibility, leading to approval. However, another applicant on St. Mary Street faced delays due to missing landlord documentation, prompting the board to table their application.

Public comments highlighted traffic safety concerns at the intersection of Fourth and Wade Streets, especially regarding the chaotic morning scene as school buses arrive. An individual described vehicles speeding past as children rushed to catch buses.

Finally, the board approved the removal of several longstanding handicapped parking spaces no longer in use, including those on Lewis Street and North Main Street. These spaces, dating back to as early as 2014, were rescinded following a motion.