WASHINGTON CO. COMMISSIONERS REDUCE SPEED LIMIT ON PART OF OLD MILL CREEK ROAD, BUT TAKE NO VOTE FOR NO THRU TRUCK SIGNS ON GILMORE ROAD
Washington County Commissioners considered action today (Tuesday) on three petitions submitted by residents, but only ended up voting on two of them.
read a proclamation declaring the month of April as
Sexual Assault Awareness and Prevention. Joining
commissioners are members of Focusing Families, a
nonprofit organization who works to prevent family
violence, sexual assault and other crisis issues.
Several residents spoke during a public hearing to install no thru truck signs on Gilmore Road from Highway 36 to Muery Road in Precinct 3, with lengthy discussion landing on both sides of the aisle.
Some were in favor of putting in the no thru truck signs to divert large trucks, saying the gravel road is not built to handle that kind of traffic and that the dust caused by the trucks is a nuisance. However, others believed moving the traffic would be trading one problem for another, saying the truck drivers often disregard stop signs and expressing concerns that they would jeopardize the safety of nearby residents.
With no clear consensus from commissioners after the public hearing, when it came time for a vote, no one from the court moved to approve or reject putting in the signs. The item died for lack of a motion.
The two other petitions considered by commissioners were more straightforward, as they agreed to reduce the speed limit on Old Mill Creek Road in Precinct 4 in two locations, from South Berlin Road to Country Place West Road and from Country Place West Road to Farmers Road.
The standard unposted speed limit of 60 mph will be reduced to 45 mph from South Berlin Road to Country Place West Road. Initially, the court was considering a reduction to 40 mph from Country Place West Road to Farmers Road, but given the quick drop-off to 35 mph approaching the bridge over Highway 290, commissioners felt it would be more effective to reduce that stretch of road to 35 mph as well.
Also at today’s meeting, the court approved a funding agreement with the Texas Historical Commission (THC) for the administration of grant funds to the county to rehabilitate and restore the courthouse property.
The THC has awarded $2,234,653 through the Texas Historical Courthouse Preservation Program. Combined with a local share of $957,708, the total project cost is estimated at $3,192,361. The agreement stipulates that the county must ensure that all matters pertaining to the project are conducted in accordance with standards for the treatment of historic properties, as determined by the THC.
Commissioners also renewed the county’s lease agreement with Rita, LLC for the Precinct 4 Justice of the Peace Office at 402 North Main Street in Burton. The term of the lease is for 24 months and is increasing from $600 to $1,200 a month.
Additionally, commissioners:
- Approved the 2025 Bluebonnet Festival mass gathering and right-of-way permit applications.
- Approved a salary request for a first assistant district attorney.
- Read a proclamation declaring the month of April as Sexual Assault Awareness and Prevention Month in Washington County.
- Approved a subdivision variance request for a land division fronting FM 389, consisting of 57.585 acres in Precinct 4.
- Discussed a formal notice for a water service installation by PGMS along Iron Bridge Road and Colvin Road right-of-way in Precinct 3. No action was needed.
- Held an executive session to discuss personnel matters regarding the human resources director. No action was slated to be taken.
Just saying live in old Washington on our rd can’t see Gilmore rd from here the county judge said a gravel road is better then a paved rd with pot holes good luck Washington County and pct 1 is ridding in pct 3 good luck
Operators of large trucks have zero reguard for the route they traverse cause to them it does not matter cause they or making a living so the faster the better,that they make it from pont A to B and back. Now in the real world an 80 thousand pound truck does the damage to the road as nearly 10 thousand cars. Pretty lopsided so our county can’t keep up with road repair if there is lots of traffic and they don’t have a way to collect any monies unless they load limit the road and enforce the law.