by Eren Tataragasi

CORNELIUS – Commissioners voted unanimously Monday, March 5, to a one-time, three-year term limit for the board elected in 2013, in order to line up with national elections and generate higher voter turnout beginning November 2016.

Commissioner Dave Gilroy first mentioned switching up the existing two-year term limits, solely for the purposes of lining up with federal elections, in February.

“What I learned from the last election is the real point in all of this is getting in line with the federal election just so you have participation,” Gilroy said during commissioners’ regular meeting, Feb. 20. “It just strikes me to have a number like 10 percent of registered voters. No one is sitting up here that is supported by more than three percent of the people of Cornelius, and it feels ludicrous. It really does.”

So on Monday, Town Manager Anthony Roberts had a plan.

“The staff recommends we move forward with language to submit to speaker Thom Tillis to have a one time, three year term, to get us in line with the congressional/presidential election,” Roberts said.

Roberts said he spoke with Tillis’ staff and the town has to draft this plan quickly and get it in so it can go through the legislature’s short session, rather than having to go through referendum since it’s just a one-time thing.

Commissioners also weighed their options Monday for crosswalk improvements at Jetton Park. Assistant Town Manager Andrew Grant presented several options including a stoplight, with a price tag of $175,000, a rectangular rapid flashing beacon for $30,000, a HAWK system (pedestrian triggered light) for $125,000, rumble strips and and a reduction of the speed limit.

Roberts said the only options that made sense, financially, were maybe a combination of the rapid flashing lights and rumble strips, but it ultimately depends on N.C. Department of Transportation approval. No vote was taken Monday on the crosswalk options, and Roberts said he’ll continue to work on options for the commissioners and have more information to them at an upcoming meeting.