By Jessica Dillon
Martinsville City Council met on Oct. 28 to hear updates from several departments, including the schools, Minet, and the Charter Review Committee. The meeting’s biggest focus came from residents of the Five Points Neighborhood, who expressed frustration with the unfinished state of the area.
Jay Brener, a new Martinsville resident in the Five Points Neighborhood, said he has collected concerns from other homeowners.
“The homeowners have reached out to the city through email and phone calls with no or limited responses.” He said residents are frustrated with paying taxes while the area remains in disarray. “The tractor-trailers that we have over there are… when they go through, they shake the house. We got dirt and debris.”
Brener dubbed the situation “ridiculous,” and said videos documenting the issues have been submitted. “There have been multiple accidents over the last year from damage to the city street poles, the city lights, and the homeowners’ fence.”
“There are senior citizens who have to live on that flooded road,” he said, referencing a storm drain issue. “She has to park her car in the mud in the water and then try to get into her house.” He also pointed out a non-functional street light in the area.
“We purchased these homes with the promises that all of this was gonna be done,” Brener asked for information on the neighborhood’s completion. “We don’t know what you guys are doing in the city. But for over a million dollars in properties and the tax revenue that you all get from that, we need to be heard.”
Denette Grant, another Five Points resident and neighbor of Brener, also voiced concerns. “My house is on an incline, so my vehicle, when I back up (or if I go up), it’s right there—a sewer.” She said maneuvering near her house has damaged vehicles.
“We have lighting in the front, but not in the back. There’s no lighting. I’m a CEO. I come home either late or early in the morning. It’s dark. Anything can happen. This is my first home.”
Grant also described having to turn around in other driveways, which could be problematic if no-trespassing signs were posted. “The road is not even big enough for a three-point turn when I have to do a three-point turn. Cause I live on a one-way street, so I have to go into somebody else’s driveway.”
“I would truly appreciate it if y’all can take my matters into consideration and try to get the stuff fixed for us.”
Director of Public Works Greg Maggard provided some context. He said the original development included a multi-family building across the street, and the stormwater system was designed accordingly. “When that didn’t happen, I went to the state, I tried to get it revised so that we had, so you guys would have it be a smaller, deeper, easier to maintain, sort of a structure.
“So that’s kind of been some of the delay. We’ve had the state trying to figure out what size and how that was going to work and how the permitting would work.” Maggard said he has a contractor ready for the stormwater work and is waiting for the go-ahead to fix missing asphalt.
“As soon as the storm waters are done, which hopefully will be by the end of this year, hopefully sooner, as soon as the asphalt plants open in the spring, which is typically April-ish, I think April depends on the weather. We’ll do top math, and we’ll get that all cleaned up.” Maggard added that when the rain stops, a street sweeper will be sent out to remove debris.
“I warned the funders, I warned the people involved that you were going to trap decent people into these homes, and that’s what ended up happening. I took the same videos that you probably got,” said Council Member Aaron Rawls. “We didn’t follow our own rules, we didn’t follow our own zoning. This is frankly unacceptable. I’m not going to pass the buck.”
Rawls said he believed the council would work toward improvements. “I think this body would be willing to do something. Here’s a problem. That road is a state road and so, I mean, we would love to be able to say no tractor-trailers or something. I don’t think we can do that.”
Council Member Julian Mei said many involved in the project had good intentions, but “it’s just taken some time to iron out some of the kinks. So please, please work with us. I mean, I know you’ve been waiting a long time, but you’ve done the right thing by coming and making the appeal publicly known.”
Mayor LC Jones said the city has exceeded its attorney fund limit and wants to discuss it at the next meeting. “From my understanding, from July to now, we’re past our budget, which is set at $250,000.” Jones wants to provide the public with information explaining the use of funds.
The council also discussed and considered appointments to the Community Criminal Justice Board, approved rezoning ordinances, and held a public hearing for FY25 and FY26 appropriations.
The council will have another discussion with the schools at an upcoming meeting. Superintendent Zeb Talley requested better teacher pay as a key focus.
Recognitions:
*Read a proclamation honoring October as National Anti-Bullying Month, presented to Martinsville High School Student Council and faculty advisor Lori Haskew.
*Read a proclamation honoring Nov. 1, 2025, as Extra Mile Day.
