Sunday, March 14, 2010

The Next 6 Weeks

In progress and yet to come.......

Closing of the railroad crossing on Barbee Rd - Widening of the intersection of NC 54 & Morrisville-Carpenter Rd/Aviation Pkwy to improve traffic flow required addition of a road lane across existing railway tracks. That lane addition was at direct odds with the goal of the North Carolina Railroad to limit or reduce, for safety reasons, at-grade (street level) crossings of railroad lines. As such, the town of Morrisville entered into a binding four party agreement with Norfolk Southern Railway, North Carolina Railroad and the North Carolina Department of Transportation in April of 2008. That agreement requires the Town of Morrisville to blockade Barbee Road at the railroad tracks within 180 days (on or about March 24, 2010) of the completion of the Morrisville-Carpenter Rd project. The town council has heard from many residents expressing valid and heartfelt concerns, especially about public safety response times and neighborhood safety. Of additional concern - the eventual closing of the intersection of Church St and NC54 for rail realignment. A required council vote is scheduled for March 23rd.

Town Center Code - Following our years-in-the-making Town Center Plan, the final public hearing on our Town Center Code is scheduled for March 23rd. The purpose of the Town Center Code is to implement the Town Center Plan adopted by the Town Council in 2007, and to help make sure that new development is built in a manner consistent with this community vision. In addition, the code encourages "eco-conscious design." A council vote on the code is scheduled for April 27.

The first in a series of Mayor's Town Hall Meetings will take place on Wednesday March 24 from 7 - 8 PM at the Morrisville Chamber of Commerce. The topic - an informational update on the Park West Village development, past, present and future.

Budget Portal - Not unlike other area municipalities, Morrisville has adjusted to difficult financial times. Growth has slowed and sales tax and other revenue is not expected to return to previous levels for quite some time. The council has given direction for the Fiscal Year 2011 budget that begins July 1st. Now it's your turn. Share your priorities and expectations by clicking the link.

Census 2010 - Ten minutes, ten questions for Morrisville's share of "per capita" funds. READ: $1200 - $1500 per person per year. The town is doing all it can do keep property taxes low. Here's your chance to help. Fill out your form and mail it back promptly. Census Day is April 1st.

Fitness Challenge - A work in progress, but prompted by Rolesville Mayor Frank Eagles' challenge to area mayors and municipalities. More to come.

Citizen Survey Panel - Morrisville residents are active, engaged participants in our town government and have said time and again that they want a place at the Heart of the Triangle table. Our citizens survey panel is an opportunity to provide input from the comfort of your own home. Or work. Or library.


With sincere thanks to all who dedicate their time and talent to our community,

Jackie

"Learn the wisdom of compromise, for it is better to bend a little than to break." - Jane Wells