Monticello considers speed bumps

Published 9:19 pm Wednesday, January 24, 2018

The Town of Monticello’s latest meeting covered two main topics — highway security and electrical improvements.

Road safety continues to be a serious concern for the Board of Aldermen. According to Mayor Martha Watts, two of Monticello’s busiest thoroughfares see a great deal of speeding, and city officials are eager to curb traffic violations.

“We can’t run radar in Monticello, because the population of our town is too small,” she said.

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Several plainly marked speed limit signs stand alongside local roadways, but motorists often ignore them, she said. So, the board is considering installing speed bumps throughout town.

“We’re looking at the procedures and policies implemented by other cities,” Watts said. “We don’t want Monticello to be covered in speed bumps. Therefore, we’re working on an effective plan to keep our roads as safe as possible.”

In the mean time, on the advisement of Monticello’s Public Works Department, the aldermen plan to fund several citywide electrical projects.

For example, an outdated power panel in one of Monticello’s pumping stations will soon get an upgrade. Watts said city hall would send out for replacement bids in the near future.

The town also plans to replace the weather head on a city-owned well. Watts said the board is working in conjunction with the local power company to see the necessary repairs safely through to completion.

Lastly, Diamond Engineering recently completed a rehabilitation job on Monticello’s water treatment facility. After seven months of work, the new system is finally up and running.

“The water quality is better than we ever expected,” Watts said. “We’re very pleased with the end result.”