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CA NEWS
Directing traffic: Leave it to the pros, for now Water Matters
Cooler temps help
by Larry Swim, Chairman COPs soil retain moisture
There are times when stopping traffic not put yourself at risk – to direct traffic Submitted by Carlton M. Mathis,
because of special events is necessary. in such a manner as to enhance the public Common Area and Irrigation
However, while all of us do-gooders want safety. When the first responders arrive, Superintendent
to help, if you are not a sworn peace officer they will take over.
or a school crossing guard you cannot NEW PROGRAM PLANNED FOR A healthy yard
legally stop traffic on a public roadway. GEORGETOWN can be deter-
If you do and are observed by a policeman, mined by the
you could be ticketed. Worse than getting The Georgetown Police Department depth of its root
a citation, if there is an accident and you is currently looking for a way to use zone. It’s been
are considered to be contributory or at volunteers to direct traffic, as per the established
fault you can get sued. following: that one inch
WHO CAN DIRECT TRAFFIC? of water per week will keep your
– Exemptions will be granted by the city yard healthy through the summer
Organizations like COPs (Citizens on to select organizations that will be able months. The question of watering
Patrol) are not permitted to direct traffic to specially train individuals. two or three days a week can make
except in places like Sun City Texas a real difference as to how well your
parking lots. Even the Georgetown Police – These trained persons will then be yard will survive. In terms of water-
Department’s Citizens on Patrol are not certified to direct traffic. ing days, less frequent watering en-
authorized to direct traffic. courages root zones to grow deeper,
– Each event will need to be specifically searching for more water.
If your organization or activity needs permitted so that the volunteers will
public roadway traffic management, your be able to direct traffic. Watering too frequently does not en-
option is to hire an off-duty police officer, courage deep rooting of trees, shrubs
deputy sheriff or constable. Currently This new program has not yet been or flowers. If faced with drought,
there is a four-hour minimum for these implemented for Georgetown. those plants with shallow roots will
officers and the cost is $160. suffer and succumb first because they
COPs want to help... and need your will not be able to access water that
There is one exception: If you come upon help. Volunteer two hours twice a is available deeper in the soil. It is
an accident or something blocking the month, driving or staffing the office important to irrigate the soil deeply
road, it is legal and legitimate – if you do in your home. We’ll train and outfit and water less frequently to encour-
you. Call 512-966-1362, Monday to age deeper rooting.
Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. for
information or to sign up. Minimize watering the landscape
during the fall. With cooler tem-
Bits from Ginny’s Desk peratures, soil moisture is retained
longer since we are losing less water
Submitted by Ginny Wagner, Community Standards Supervisor to evaporation. Overly wet soil condi-
tions can lead to root rot and promote
October brings cooler temperatures and your property can be trimmed in a sight fungus, so be sure to reduce your ir-
falling leaves, making this a good time to triangle. A sight triangle is an area that rigation cycles appropriately.
take a look at your yard. Prune bushes extends 25 feet from the corner down
and replace any plants that didn’t make it each side bounded by a line that closes The Water Matters Team is available
through the heat of the summer. You can that triangle. Within that area, there to help familiarize you with your ir-
place a new border around your existing should be no bushes higher than three rigation system. If you need help set-
beds, add mulch, replace rock with mulch feet or trees hanging below eight feet ting up your controller, or would like
and replace declining plants with similar that would obstruct the line of sight for a complete and thorough evaluation
plants without any paperwork. a vehicle rounding the corner. of your irrigation system, send an
email to WaterMatters@SCTexas.
The Garden Club has created a binder Finally, we can start putting out org or contact your Neighborhood
with plant names and pictures kept at Halloween decorations on October 24. Representative. A Water Matters
both the Cowan Creek and Texas Drive POLITICAL SIGN POLICY Ambassador will come to your home
monitor’s stations. They provide a great to assist you.
selection of drought tolerant plants that With the upcoming election on November
do well in Georgetown that you may want 8, it is a good time to review our political ONLINE: SCTEXAS.ORG
to consider using. sign policy. Residents may have only
one sign per issue and/or race, no larger
Trees can be trimmed without paperwork than 4’ x 6’, mounted on either one or two
as well. Branches hanging lower than stakes, no higher than 6’ from the ground.
eight feet from the ground must be Signs must be removed no later than one
trimmed and any branches overhanging week after the election (November 15.)
12 | SUNRAYS OCTOBER 2016
