The discontent started earlier this year with residents opposed to a proposal to close Gin Street while the “Walking Dead” was filming this summer.
The discontent then spilled into a full boil as a controversy over a sno ball truck packed City Hall with supporters of the business who urged the city to let the business stay. This week, the residents sounded off on a variety of items including bicyclists who don’t obey traffic signs and “Walking Dead” tourists who stand in the middle of public streets.
Seavy Street resident Jennifer Robinson told the City Council Monday night that she was tired of seeing people stand in the middle of Gin Street taking selfies. When asked if she observed this phenomenon occurring during filming, Robinson said it was occurring all the time.
“We can close Gin Street,” said police Chief Jason Edens, which drew murmurs from the crowd.
Robinson said she was also tired of people speeding down Seavy Street and City Administrator Richard Ferry said the city had already ordered more speed limit signs to be placed along one of the city’s main streets.
Robinson’s final complaint was the number of bicyclists that descend on the city and show little regard for stop signs. Ferry said tickets have been written, and that he has talked to the local bicycle shop to make sure that the owners inform the visiting cyclists that traffic laws are enforced in the city.
Lost in the discontent was two items that will directly impact resident’s pocketbooks. The City Council voted to increase water rates by 20 percent starting Aug.31. The new rate raises the average water bill to $31.39, but provides the city enough money to do all the upgrades to the city’s water sources.
The city also announced an increase of .277 mils to 5.88 mills in the city’s property tax rate. The rate amounts to a 4.94 percent increase in taxes for residents. A home with a $200,000 value would say its taxes increase $22. Hearings on the tax increase are Aug.10 at 6 p.m., Aug.14 at 8 a.m. and the final hearing and adopt Aug.17 at 7 p.m. All hearing are at the municipal building on Howard Road.
