Retreat addresses key pedestrian concerns
Pedestrian safety and retaining the Town’s key employees led some of the priorities and challenges Farragut Board of Mayor and Aldermen discussed as they set a strategy for 2022 during a Board retreat Friday, Feb. 4.
“Jamestowne (Boulevard is) very dangerous in that area” where intersecting with North Campbell Station Road,” Vice Mayor Louise Povlin said. “If you want to make left out from that (intersection), it’s getting more and more challenging.
“This would be the opportunity to have a light they could cross safely for students,” she added.
However, Town engineer Darryl Smith warned, “It’s not something you can set and
forget. Timing can get off and cause (vehicular) stacking. It requires that we’re all coordinated with each other.”
Even with the intersection of Concord Road and Kingston Pike, Povlin observed, “It’s always going to be a challenge — pedestrian safety and traffic. It’s always going to be a balance.”
Mayor Ron Williams suggested an overall safety study, as well as curb ramps, while Povlin predicted there will be more pedestrian activity.
Williams agreed and referred to Boyd Station and Virtue Road.
“There’s going to be walkers and bikers,” he said. “Every time we open a bike trail or sidewalk, people are out.
“Crossings are very critical,” he added. “Motorists drive with one eye on the road and one on the phone. It’s dangerous for bikers and walkers.
“We’re getting that push from federal and state as well,” Povlin added.
Williams said some of the critical places have been addressed already, such as Watt Road at Mayor Bob Leonard Park. Meanwhile, Outlet Road “is still to be determined.”
Another matter on which the Board set a priority was keeping its key personnel and attracting employees.
“We have hired good people,” Williams said. “As we have retirements, attraction of people will be important.
“A lot of these people are key people, cross-trained, and losing them is something that will eventually happen — but I don’t look forward to it.?
To help solve this, “We need programs to help retain key employees,” Williams said, adding benefits and retirement packages, along with better pay, are factors in keeping employees. I think we need to dive in head-first (to be) competitive with retirement, benefits and pay.”
While the meeting was open to the public, only one resident, Bill Johns, attended.
“I love learning about how our community is going,” Johns said. “It is always interesting to see the passion of our elected officials and their unique perspective.
“It is very interesting to note that I am the only citizen here — no other stakeholders are present,” he added.
“As one of the very few communities that does not pay their elected officials, these volunteers are doing a fine job.
