Road and bridge issues were a priority for the New Hanover Board of Supervisors at their monthly meeting on Thursday, March 3.

            Township manager Jamie Gwynn brought two topics to the board during his report. The first was his ongoing attempts to find out more information on the county-run bridge project at New Hanover Square Road and Swamp Pike. He hasn't been able to contact anyone with the county who can provide information and has even contacted state representatives to no avail.

            Gwynn is concerned about roads potentially getting shut down and scheduling necessary detours with other township officials. "If I have to stand on the side of the road with a sign, I will," he said.

            Additionally, Gwynn discussed barriers for major storm and flood events because of drivers ignoring signs and driving around them and getting stuck.

            He said that the township is looking into installing jersey barriers and flood crossing gates to keep people out of flooded areas. Gwynn noted that there are always "one or two people in trucks who think they can navigate," but who end up putting emergency personnel in harm's way.

            Gwynn said that the board will look into the barriers further at the April meeting and that American Rescue Plan funds will be able to be used for them.

            In other road-related news, New Hanover Police Sergeant Decker Dyas reported on complaints about parking on Colflesh Lane by customers and vendors for New Hanover Gardens, a wholesale nursery. Vehicles are blocking the road and parking in residents' driveways, resulting in verbal altercations when told to move. Individuals are also backing out blindly onto the road.

            Sergeant Dyas spoke to the property owner who indicated that he was going to clear an area for parking.

            Township manager Gwynn will be preparing an ordinance for no parking on the road.

            In agricultural security district news, the board appointed Michael Connor as the farmers' representative and Boone Flint as chair of the advisory committee.

            The supervisors presented Mark Wiley with the Distinguished Citizen Award for his over-31 years of service on the zoning hearing board.

            Solicitor Andrew Bellwoar announced that the board had met in executive session prior to the meeting to discuss potential litigation.