WASHINGTON CO. COMMISSIONERS: ‘BE RESPONSIBLE WHILE BURNING’
The possibility of adopting a burn ban was a hot topic during the Washington County Commissioners meeting today (Tuesday).
Ultimately, the commissioners decided to table the issue until next week- which will allow them to revisit the possibility of adopting a burn ban if area fires continue to be a problem.
Leading up to the meeting the commissioners polled the county’s fire chiefs, with seven voting in favor of adopting a ban and seven voting against it.
While a ban was not issued, the commissioners have a very clear message for county citizens- be responsible when it comes to burning. Precinct 4 Commissioner Joy Fuchs says citizens should only burn if the conditions are right:
During the discussion, Precinct 3 Commissioner Kirk Hanath emphasized personal responsibility when it comes to burning:
In other business, the commissioners held a public hearing on lowering the speed limit on Old Masonic Road. The road currently does not have a posted speed limit. A road without a posted speed limit, in accordance with the Texas Transportation Code, has a day time speed limit of 60 mph and a night time speed limit of 55 mph.
No one spoke during the public hearing and the commissioners voted to reduce the speed limit to 40 mph.
In other business, the commissioners:
- Approved the appointment of Melinda Faubion to the Hotel Occupancy Tax Board
- Approved a subdivision variance request for a land division at Lomax-Harmel Road
- Approved budget line item transfers and accounts payable
. the section from farmers rd. to blinn is city controlled this part of OMC’s speed is set by the city,s engineers the section from farmers rd out is set by the county’s engineers so there should be different speed zones
I drive down this stretch of old Mill Creek Rd. The design and planning of the road has been an obvious mistake. Nothing can be said today that will justify the mistakes made yesterday. And it is these mistakes that will effect us all not only today but also tomorrow.
Please describe this mistake?
If you can’t get it without reading all the comments. Maybe read this one. The mistake that everyone is concerned with is the fact that the major part of this road is so narrow compared to other busy thoroughfares that lead into town. It is highly traveled. The road evidently was planned to be wider at some point since it was constructed wider between Blinn and Saeger. I would suggest to go look at a picture at the city planner’s office. But evidently they didn’t have a map either. Just look closer next time you drive that way.
You come across as a disgruntled city employee (or former employee). If so, I highly suggest you run for city council and put your words into action.
No, but I am a disgruntled tax payer who is tired of paying taxes only to see these types of mistakes being made. I’ve probably been paying taxes longer than the planners at the city have been alive. Too bad I am moving out into the county, otherwise I would’ve run for council and put a stop to this madness!
So one day later we have two more Grass fires in the county started through uncontrolled burns…guess the county residents didn’t pay heed to the grandiose diatribe of our commissioners, to be responsible.
I guess all of us taxpayers will be responsible and liable when a fire gets too far gone as a result of the court being derelict in its duty!
Based on speed limit info in this report the speed limit from Farmers Road going West on Old Mill Creek Road to Hwy 290 in Burton is 60 during day and 55 at night. Please do the speed limit not 35!
Well ‘know the law’ old mill creek rd is NOT a freeway. So instead of being smart and reading into what you think the law means, use COMMON SENSE and drive a reasonable speed when nothing is posted. 35 to 45 is very acceptable on old mill creek rd.
While I agree with you 100%, BR, all observations indicate that most of the drivers around us DO think it is reasonable to drive 60 mph on OMC road, as we see it every day. Sadly, most folks’ sense of self-preservation has withered away as cars have gotten safer.
While I agree with you TT on that comment, there is more to the problem. Unfortunately, our government city planners have continued to fail tax payers by Not properly designing roads with adequate width during the early planning stages, especially on Old Mill Creek Road. This should have been done between Blinn at Saeger St. and US Hwy. 290 when they had the chance the last few years before all of the recent development. Have you seen all the development there? The government needs to hire knowledgeable planners with credible experience and basic common sense to make these decisions. Unfortunately, this has not happen here, nor anywhere recently in the city of Brenham. Sadly, most government planning common sense has withered away in our community and elected officials have not seen the total effects of it yet.
I’ve seen your complaints regarding the width of OMC rd. in the comments many times. I can’t disagree with your opinion, but I feel like this portion of the road should be considered ‘residential,’ and as there is no on-street parking, it seems that the many cars that safely pass each other in opposite directions every day demonstrate that it is of sufficient width for its most common usage. I’ve been wondering if your concern is more likely triggered by the speed at which said cars pass, and I do believe that the speeds I’ve seen there most commonly are in fact inappropriate. If the street were wider, I believe folks would most likely only drive faster, but perhaps more attention should be given to ‘formalizing’ and standardizing that section (curb-and-gutter, stripes, etc.). As well, I have yet to see any indication from the city that they’re NOT planning any changes to its current state.
TT. Only politicians could make excuses like this. That is why mainstream vote for encumbants. Mainstream believes your excuses. Nevertheless, Old Mill Creek Road cannot be called a residential street. Calling it a residential street only makes the past mistakes look worse, since it is such a lame and wrong excuse. People drive on this road to get to destinations, it is a main way to get into town. Not to pull into your home driveway. There’s only two residential driveways there. Just face the facts. This has been one huge mistake that will cost tax payers money and the planners and government that made the mistake don’t care. They still get their paycheck. They need to be held accountable for their mistakes. You can’t defend stupid mistakes.
I am not a politician in any sense of the word, I do not work for the city, nor am I a developer, and the only reason I ever respond to these persistent complaints from ONE person about the width of OMC is that I have yet to see this ‘mistake’ explained. What exactly IS the mistake here? The right-of-way width of OMC from Saeger to 290 overpass is 60′. The street width is approx. 20′. There is plenty of room to further widen OMC at any point — nothing about the street’s current width is ‘set in stone.’ The street in no way gives the appearance of being ‘finished;’ there is no curb and gutter, little to no striping, and sparse lighting. Does it not at LEAST seem possible that the city might be planning to revise it once the recent developments along that stretch are completed, and the amount of industrial construction traffic has eased?
TT, I agree that OMC Rd. should be considered residential; however, the current width of the road will not be sufficient to support the growth of that side of town in the near future (i.e Blinn Apartments). In addition, it is my understanding that numerous roads on that side of town will be extended and will connect with existing roads, including OMC Rd. The higher traffic numbers that will exist once this occurs will cause OMC Rd. to be even less safe than it already is. And now the city has sold the land, and houses are being built on the land that could’ve been used to widen the road, so you can kiss that opportunity goodbye. I would hate to live in OMC Rd. due to the future danger it will pose.
The right-of-way width is 60′, the current street is 20′ wide; there is plenty of room for future improvements. No new streets are being connected to the stretch of OMC between Saeger and 290. OMC terminates at Blinn Blvd., amidst a college campus adjacent to a residential neighborhood. If you drive through Blinn or off Main to hit OMC on your way somewhere else, driving faster than the speed limit, then YOU are the one creating the problem. There are currently several (i.e., more than TWO) driveways opening directly onto OMC, and soon there will be several MORE houses directly adjacent to it, on both sides of the road, as well as a new CHURCH. How is this NOT a residential neighborhood, and why should the city make it easier for you to drive faster through it? Driving 30mph. for less than a 1/4 mile is just more than people should have to bear?
BR The traffic law in Texas clearly stated that speed limit on a paved county road is 60. So if your doing 35 and someone comes up behind you doing the speed limit kindly move over and let them pass!
That is absolutely ludicrous. People who can’t drive a safe speed should keep their butt’s behind the people who can. You can’t pull over in the ditch to let someone with less of a brain pass by. These are country roads, the same roads that once were gravel. Roads that even have farm vehicle traffic on them. Roads where people like to take a walk. Innocent people get killed by you inconsiderate drivers. Some of them are innocent children. Don’t be so self-centered. It is not YOUR road. It is OUR road. Show at least an ounce of Respect to Others, especially when your behind the wheel.