Residents raise roadside debris, leaning tree and drainage concerns at Duplin County meeting

Several residents brought multiple roadside and drainage concerns to the Duplin County Board of Commissioners during public comment on June 16.

Mayor Connors of Wausau said roadside mowing contractors often leave clumps of cut grass on highway shoulders and that rain shortly after mowing can leave a slippery surface. “That grass is tremendously slippery,” Connors said, and asked the county to consider how the mowing and debris removal are handled.

Bill Barber of Wallace reported a large dead branch or leaning tree over the road along Highway 41 near the Walmart lot that he said could fall into the street in a wind. He said the tree appears to be outside city limits and asked that the county investigate the location.

Commissioner Edwards reported he had been contacted by residents at 2485 Tram Road about water backing up in a yard adjacent to the highway; he also said residents told him a beaver-dam removal at a location called White Flash about three months earlier may have renewed and caused water to rise toward the road.

Board members and county staff said they would note the locations and forward concerns to the appropriate county or DOT crews for inspection. No formal motions or votes were recorded on these public-comment items during the meeting.