Police Commission members, in their role as the local traffic authority, continue to consider recommendations made by a traffic engineering firm on how the Main Street flagpole intersection can be modified to improve public safety - a subject that has proved controversial among the Borough Board of Burgesses and some Main Street residents. Public Comment

Borough Warden James Gaston, Sr, has submitted a detailed letter to the Police Commission describing the burgesses' concerns about the traffic firm's recommendations.

Police Commission members met February 2 to discuss the voluminous flagpole intersection traffic study that they received from a Fairfield traffic consultant.

Frederick P. Clark Associates, Inc, has recommended a range of intersection changes, including installing traffic signals, altering the geometry of the junction, and modifying some traffic flow patterns. The major intersection has the second-highest accident rate of any location in town.

Commission member Robert Myer said February 2 his review of the report confirms there is not enough space at the flagpole intersection to create a roundabout, a traffic control device that has proven effective elsewhere.

"It would not work there," he said.

Mr Myer suggested that the intersection have suitable markings painted on the pavement to make clear to motorists areas where vehicle travel is allowed and not allowed.

Member Andrew Sachs said that any changes to the intersection need to balance the history of the area with safe traffic flow.

The flagpole is a state-sanctioned landmark, and thus protections are in place against making changes in the area. The area is within the Borough of Newtown Historic District.

The five-legged intersection of Main Street (US Route 6/State Route 25), Church Hill Road (US Route 6), and West Street has a 100-foot-tall flagpole at its center. The flagpole, which is not shielded by barriers, effectively serves as the hub of a traffic rotary. Access to the intersection is controlled by stop signs on Church Hill Road and West Street.

The state has final say on any intersection changes.

Commission member Daniel Rosenthal said members need more time to consider and digest the various recommendations made in the traffic study before taking action.

"We need to try an incremental approach," he said.

Mr Rosenthal said the traffic study's recommendations amount to "a quantum leap," adding that commission members should employ "an incremental approach" in addressing recommended changes.

Commission Vice Chairman Brian Budd said, "Doing nothing for safety improvements is not an option." Police Commission members have been discussing for years the public safety hazards posed by the intersection, he stressed.

Mr Budd said that it would be irresponsible for the commission to do nothing in terms of the traffic study recommendations.

Police Chief James Viadero said that posting a police officer at the intersection during certain busy traffic periods to direct traffic, as has been suggested by some Main Street residents, could be "problematic."

Doing so would be dangerous for the police officer, when considering the dynamics of that intersection, said police Captain Joe Rios.

Police Commission Chairman Joel Faxon said of the intersection's traffic problems, "Doing nothing is not the option. We need an effective, forward-thinking traffic solution.

"It's our job to be deliberate and thoughtful," he said, adding that the commission needs to make decisions on how the intersection can be improved in terms of public safety.

"We cannot let this issue go on forever," he said.

Chief Viadero said he would contact the state Department of Transportation regarding adding paint markings to Main Street to indicate permitted travel areas at the intersection.

Commission members agreed to again discuss and possibly take action on the flagpole intersection matter at their March 1 meeting.

Several Main Street residents and property owners attended the February 2 commission session to offer comments on the flagpole intersection issue.

Robert Hall, who owns a commercial building at 43 Main Street, told commission members that he has traveled through the flagpole intersection several times daily for decades.

Mr Hall suggested that some vehicle parking be eliminated in front of a commercial building at 33 Main Street. Doing so would prevent southbound motorists on Main Street who are approaching the flagpole intersection from passing on the right the motorists who are stopped in line and are waiting to make a left turn from southbound Main Street onto eastbound Church Hill Road, he said.

"There's too much room on southbound Main Street, " Mr Hall said.

Making the change that he recommends would also solve a speeding problem, he said.

Mr Hall later said he supports creating paint markings on Main Street to clarify permitted travel areas for motorists.

Main Street resident Sherry Bermingham urged that the Police Commission "postpone making any drastic changes to the flagpole intersection" until one year after the state completes a variety of changes to the Exit 11 interchange of Interstate 84 and nearby roads in Sandy Hook.

As of 2015, the Exit 11 construction project was tentatively scheduled to start in early 2019 and be complete by 2021 or 2022.

Ms Bermingham said the Exit 11 improvement project would result in some traffic flow changes on Main Street.

Ms Bermingham said that the placement of five speed tables on Queen Street has resulted in some Queen Street traffic being diverted to Main Street.

Positioning police at the flagpole intersection would be helpful, she said.

Also, she recommended that the speed limit in the area be reduced from 30 miles per hour to 25 mph. Doing so would likely result in automobile navigation units not recommending Main Street as a travel route, she said.

The various changes recommended in the Clark traffic study "amount to a terrible idea," she said.

Main Street is a "local attraction," she said, adding that it is the focus of the annual Labor Day Parade and Halloween trick-or-treating activity.

Main Street resident Laura Lerman stressed, "Main Street is residential." She said she is concerned that recommended traffic signals at the flagpole would result in truckers applying their air brakes in the area and creating objectionable noise. Also, the presence of a traffic signals would result in minor accidents occurring, she said.

She urged that perpendicular parking in front of Newtown Meeting House at 31 Main Street not be altered in connection with any intersection changes.

"Do whatever you do incrementally," she said.

Wayne Addessi of Lovells Lane said that traffic signals should be installed at the flagpole intersection. Mr Addessi asked Police Commission members whether a traffic fatality there would be the stimulus needed for such a change to occur.

Traffic signals would create a safer environment at the intersection, he said.

Noting that a new restaurant/bakery is planned for 33 Main Street, Mr Addessi said there would yet more traffic in the area, in recommending traffic signal installation.

Chris Hottois, an owner of the commercial building at 33 Main Street, said that he favors traffic-calming measures being employed to address the traffic issues.

"We need to take a more holistic approach in looking at Main Street," Mr Hottois said.