A project by the North Carolina Department of Transportation to replace the aging bridge over McDowell Creek near the Cambridge Grove neighborhood will force closure of the road for five months, starting this past week.
The project consists of replacing the existing structure with a longer and wider, cored-slab bridge. Detour routes will be signed for all through traffic.
The detour will largely effect school traffic for Barnette Elementary, Bradley Middle and Hopewell high schools. According to Huntersville Town Engineer and Public Works Director Max Buchanan, detour routes will include Gilead Road to Beatties Ford Road to the north, or McCord Road to McIlwaine Road to Beatties Ford Road to the south. Drivers can also take McCoy Road to Hambright Road to access Beatties Ford Road just south of Hopewell High School.
Huntersville seeks SAC applicants
The Town of Huntersville is seeking individuals who want to become more involved in discussions and problem-solving activities related to local schools.
Three terms on the town's seven-member School Advisory Committee expire Feb. 1, 2012, and applications are now available for area residents interested in serving on the committee.
Applications are available at the town's Web site, www.huntersville.org, by navigating through the "boards and commission" category to the SAC site. Details for submitting applications are provided with the application.
Huntersville's SAC was created to identify and explore education-related issues in the community and advise and recommend actions and procedures to the town's board of commissioners and staff. The committee also puts an emphasis on communicating school issues to the community's residents and coordinating cooperation among town departments, citizens and other agencies to address needs and correct problems impacting schools in Huntersville.
One vacant seat on the board needs to be filled and the terms of SAC members Becky Finger and Bill Iuliano expire Feb. 1. Other SAC members are Anna Smith, Laurie Gillmore, Jimmy Poole and Teri Leonhardt, who serves as the committee's chairperson. Commissioner Ron Julian is the current town board liaison to the committee.
Huntersville 101 enrollment begins
The Town of Huntersville will offer the second edition of a class providing a detailed introduction to the ins and outs of town operations starting in February.
The Huntersville 101 class begins Wednesday, Feb. 1, and will continue for eight consecutive Wednesdays, giving participants the chance to learn first-hand about the town, the services it provides and its governmental process.
Last year, 18 residents completed the first Huntersville 101 class. The 2012 class, with space limited to 20 participants, begins Feb. 1 and will meet each Wednesday evening through March 28. Participants will receive a detailed snapshot of the town, its staff and departments, as well as major projects currently under way. Each class will focus on a different department or area of town government, including town history, administration, finance and budget, planning, transportation, engineering and public works, police, fire, parks and recreation, and the Huntersville Family Fitness & Aquatics Center.
The class provides an opportunity for new residents as well as long-time citizens to learn about the various services and levels of service the town provides while also providing a unique opportunity for town representatives to engage local residents already interested in the town about the services and programs provided.
Huntersville 101 is open to Huntersville residents only, and space is limited to 20 participants. If more than 20 residents apply, a selection process will be used to balance the class. There is no cost, but participants are expected to commit to taking part in all aspects of the program.
Classes meet each Wednesday from 6 to 8 p.m. and some classes may run a little later depending on questions, but all should conclude by 8:30 p.m. After the last class, a tour of the town will be offered on Saturday, March 31, and recognition of the graduates will be made at one of the April town board sessions.
For more information and a copy of the Huntersville 101 application, visit www.huntersville.org. Those interested in taking the class should download an application and submit it to Bobby Williams at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or mail it to the Town of Huntersville at P.O. Box 664, Huntersville, NC 28070. Those accepted to the class will be notified by Wednesday, Jan. 25.
CTB holds day-long planning session
The new Cornelius Community Master Plan will be the primary topic of discussion as the Cornelius Town Board of Commissioners will hold a one-day planning retreat Friday, Jan. 20, at The Peninsula Club. The session will run from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Among the topics on the agenda will be an overview and prioritization of the Community Master Plan, which has been under way for two years.
Also likely on the agenda will be planning associated with the diverging diamond interchange at Exit 28, the next phase of widening of West Catawba Avenue to Westmoreland Road, the proposed Red Line Regional Rail Project and more.
Mooresville signal pattern to change
To determine whether a traffic signal is warranted at the intersection of Wilson Avenue and Church Street in Mooresville, the current signal will be altered for 90 days beginning Friday, Jan. 13. The town will change the traffic signal to a flashing only signal, flashing red on Wilson Avenue and yellow on Church Street. A "New Traffic Pattern Ahead" sign will be placed before changes are made.
"As part of the Downtown Signal Study, a signal warrant analysis was conducted for the intersection of Church Street and Wilson Avenue to determine if the traffic volumes warrant a traffic signal control based upon guidance specified in the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices," says Mooresville Transportation Planner Neil Burke. "Based upon the turning movement counts collected, the intersection does not meet the minimum criteria for signalization."
After the 90-day trial flash period, if no significant issues are reported and it is determined that the intersection can function safely as a stop-controlled intersection, the traffic signal will be removed and "Stop" and "Cross Traffic Does Not Stop" signs will be installed on the Wilson Avenue approaches of the intersection. A complete report of the signal analysis is available upon request from the town.
Next Covekeepers meeting Jan. 26
The next meeting of the Lake Norman Covekeepers will be held Thursday, Jan. 26, in Stanley. The meeting will begin at 7 p.m. at the East Lincoln Volunteer Fire Department, 406 South Pilot Knob Road.
The featured speaker for the event will be Craig Price, who will talk about aquatic wildlife and provide other insights into Lake Norman as a wildlife habitat. For more information about the upcoming session and details about the Covekeepers organization, call Ben Benoit at 704-489-6249.
St. Mark holds talent show
The parishioners at St. Mark Catholic Church have a lot of talent, and this weekend they're putting it on display. "St. Mark Has Talent" will begin at 6:30 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 14, in the Parish House at the church at 14740 Stumptown Road. A pasta dinner will be served followed by live entertainment provided by members of the parish community.
Advance tickets cost $5 per person or $25 per family. At the door, tickets will be $7 per person and $30 per family. For additional information and details about acquiring tickets, call Tim Flynn at 704-948-1306 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .
