Adams Approves Crosswalk Safety Light
ADAMS, Mass. — The Selectmen unanimously approved a plethora of recommendations last week from the Traffic Commission that included the purchase of two solar-powered, lighted pedestrian crossing signs on a crosswalk on Commercial Street.
Police Chief Richard Tarsa, a member of the commission, said the Commerical Street crosswalk has been problematic.
"This is an ongoing issue at Commercial Street ... that crosswalk, in particular, is a problem with traffic and with pedestrians," Tarsa said. "By seeing the light, it gives you an awareness that something is going on, it reduces the speed in theory and brings awareness that there is a crosswalk there."
He said the petition for the light was largely filled out by residents of the housing complex near the crosswalk.
"There were several names on there, and I believe 75 percent of the Mill House has signed it," Tarsa said. "Everyone is behind this and this is the best solution for the problem."
He said the Department of Public Works has placed signs, cut back foliage and painted the curb in an attempt to make the crossing safer. The final option would be to eliminate the crosswalk.
Selectman Arthur "Skip" Harrington was concerned about the cost for the light.
Tarsa said flashing light signs vary in price but he provided Town Administrator Tony Mazzucco with models that cost between $2,500 and $2,800.
He said the sign can be purchased with Chapter 90 road funds and that the town should also have money left over from an insurance settlement. A few years ago, a car wiped out a stop light at the bottom of Valley Street. The money was used to buy the now defunct solar light for the crossing near Rite Aid. Tarsa said there was a balance left over that has not been used.
"That has been batted back and forth a few times ever since ... there was money at one time and I would be remiss if I did not remind the town of that," Tarsa said.
Harrington felt that people would not pay attention to the sign and thought the town could install rumble strips instead as a cheaper option.
"That slows you down even if you are just going 30 mph, and I think just signs warning you is not going to slow anyone," Harrington said. "But with some grooves in there, we can put some paint on it and you have rumble strips. It gets your attention, and could probably do the whole town for what it would cost to buy that light maybe."
Director of Community Development Donna Cesan said the town did look at rumble strips for Park Street during its recent renovation but there was a fear they would cause to much noise. She noted that the area is a residential area and the rumble strips would make noise all day and all night.
Tarsa said he was open to anything that would make the streets safer. He added that he feels people do see the signs, especially the ones placed in the middle of Park Street and Summer Street because cars keep hitting them.
"I put a sign down there and I can tell you it is getting their attention because they are running them over every day," he said. "Every day I am out there replacing them, and I just don't understand the mentality there."
Selectman John Duval said he was in favor of the flashing signage and felt there were opportunities for more of these signs, particularly near Dollar General and Rite Aid.
Selectman Joseph Nowak agreed that the light near Rite Aid should be brought back to working order.
"I feel a lot more comfortable with a light there. There are a lot of elderly people that live in that [Housing Authority] building and there are people that use that crosswalk that have health concerns," Nowak said. "I think a flashing light there would be most effective."
Tarsa said the light never worked because of issues with radio wave interference from cars and Rite Aid. He said the company tried to fix it but eventually it went bankrupt, leaving the town with a broken light.
Traffic in general needs to be slowed down, he said, but if the town wants to install any stop lights it has to conduct a traffic study. He did agree the town should continue to survey problem areas.
"Unfortunately, it is a fast-paced society and people are in a hurry to go nowhere and we need to try to slow them down any way that we can," Tarsa said. "I think this would be a good step in that direction."
Other changes the Selectmen approved are a "Farm Equipment in Road" sign on the north and south ends of East Road, replacement "No Passing" signs near Burnett's Farm, signs that will allow two-hour parking on the West Side of Columbia Street, posted 35 mph signs on Leonard Street, "No Parking" signs on the south side of Gould Road and "No Commercial Vehicles Parking" sign near the intersection of East Maple, Park, Depot and School streets.
In other business, Cesan said the 2015 Community Development Block Brant project to make improvements to Visitor Centers parking lot has been put in the hands of Waterfield Design Group.
"They will focus on completing a detailed assessment of the existing condition and work with a steering committee to create design concepts," Cesan said. "Then they will prepare a final design, construction plan, specifications and public bidding documents for the improvements."
She said the town may be able to apply for other funding sources for the project and it will include drainage, new pavement, curbing, pedestrian improvements, street furnishings, landscaping and new lighting.
During public comment, resident Jeffrey Lefebvre said he was concerned about the possibility of the town no longer covering the sewer costs and turning the fee onto the taxpayers.
"Why would we even turn around and think about that?" he said. "You are just turning around to drop your tax rate to turn around and ask the people for more. It gives you a little wiggle room, but I don't think that's right. We can't afford what we got right now."
Snoonian said it may just be a reality the town has to face.
"I know we are close to our levy limit and if you took around most towns around are," he said. "Most communities don't cover sewer either ... but it's the sad fact of life, as town expenses go up we don't have the line of revenue and people's taxes are going to go up."
Harrington noted that because it was brought up at a workshop meeting, it is only a possibility the town is considering. He said before any decision or policy is made all possible information will be gathered.
Tags: crosswalk, pedestrians, traffic commission, traffic signage,
