Date: Fri 20-Nov-1998

Publication: Bee

Author: STEVEB

Quick Words:

Main-Street-safety

Full Text:

New Safety Measures For Main Street

(with photo)

BY STEVE BIGHAM

The Borough Board of Burgesses announced this week it plans to increase the

lighting along the street in front of Edmond Town Hall.

Town officials hope this will alleviate some of the dangers associated with

high levels of pedestrian and motor vehicle traffic in the area at night.

Town and borough officials hope the increased lighting, coupled with the

placement this week of barrels in the center of the roadway, should make the

area safer for those who walk across the busy road.

"The Board of Burgesses is going forward with a plan for more lighting where

there is none and more lighting were it needs to be increased," said Borough

warden Joan Crick.

Mrs Crick met with First Selectman Herb Rosenthal Monday to discuss the

longstanding problem, which reared its head last month after Newtown resident

Will Toll was struck and killed as he attempted to cross the road there.

"It's terrible that this is what has to prompt things," she said.

The street lighting on Main Street is something the Borough takes care of,

according to Mrs Crick, who met with Connecticut Light & Power 2 to 3 weeks

ago for more lumins.

The safety concerns in front of Edmond Town Hall are nothing new to the

Borough. "The Borough has been very cognizant of safety measures in that area

over the years," she said.

"This was discussed in the early 90s. Back then, we were willing to increase

lighting and were in favor of putting up barrels in the center," Mrs Crick

said. "Nothing seemed to progress, though."

Mrs Crick said she supports Mr Rosenthal's suggestion for a "no parking" rule

in the area directly across the street from town hall. However, the plan was

turned down by the police commission.

In 1982, a traffic study was conducted by the state to come up with some ideas

on how to alleviate this problem. A pedestrian-controlled crossing light for

pedestrians was suggested at that time. However, according to Mrs Crick, the

Department of Transportation felt the light was not warranted because

pedestrian traffic was not that high. Today, a similar light has been erected

along the bypass road at Fairfield Hills where there is little to no

pedestrian traffic.

Mr Rosenthal said he simply wants a yellow caution light that can be activated

to red when someone wants to cross the street. It could serve the Newtown

Savings Bank, the general store, and town hall, he said.