Galatia Farms Subdivision

Ditches and Roads with Galatia Farms

Jul 11, 2007

I would like to bring everyones attention to some current issues that are affecting our subdivision. As I am sure many of you know, our ditches are a source of concern for most residents. Several of our neighbors have had to resort to many different methods to try and maintain their ditches. This is in no way the fault of the residents, but rather the fault of the developer:

Express Investments of Raeford
Michael A. Harris, President/owner
(910) 904-2846

There are many concerns of the roads in our subdivision as well. There are ditches which the Department of Transportation has deemed as too steep, clogged pipes, and too much erosion. The Department of Transportation as also declared that there are shoulder radius's which are too narrow, areas of pavement that need to be repaired, and an intersection that is too narrow.

Until all the preiously mentioned issues have been taken care of and brought up to DOT standards, the Department of Transportation will not take over our roads. The reason that this is very important is because in North Carolina, the roads are either DOT maintained roads or private roads, there are not county maintained roads. Since our roads do not meet standards, our roads are private, this is one of the reasons that there are no stop signs, or speed limit signs within the subdivision. I have spoke with the DOT in our area on many occasions, they have said that they was able to put the stop signs at the entrances because they come off of a DOT maintained road, Galatia Church Rd and Pittman Grove. They also stated that indeed some subdivisions put up their own stop signs or speed limit signs, but unless they are put up by DOT, they are non-enforceable, the Sheriffs Dept could not enforce these signs.

This is an issue that I hope to see resolved as soon as possible, whether there is an association in place or not. I have taken my concerns before the Board of Commissioners, as well as the County Planning Department, as this subdivision was approved by the Planning board and the Board Of Commissioners. I believe that if we are able to go before the board as a group, or have petitions, we may be able to get the countied help in making sure that Mr. Harris makes the repairs noted by DOT, so that our roads may be taken over by DOT.

I would like to add that I have posted some documents I was able to get from DOT, showing that Mr. Harris is well aware of what he needs to do, and that he has been contacted by DOT.

"The best way to predict our future is to create it." -Stephan R Covey