Popular Searches
Print
E-mail
Comment
Rate
Share
McGivney wants speeders listed in the police blotter
By Paul Crossman
For some time now, residents have been complaining about speeders endangering the welfare of themselves and their children, and after listening to the issues involved, the Kinderhook Town Board has developed and implemented a plan of action to help solve the problem. The specific roads on which the plan focuses are Maple Lane, and McCagg Road, as they received the majority of complaints, but Novack Road and Rod and Gun Club Road will also be part of the program.
According to Supervisor Doug McGivney, there are several different aspects of the plan he hopes will make the roads safer for everyone involved.
“I’m hoping that there will be a reduction of whatever speeding is occurring so that all can comfortably use the road, including bikers, joggers and walkers,” he told the Register-Star.
The plan itself entails moving radar machines around on all the roads to remind motorists to check their speed, restricting the weight limit on Novack Road, and even listing the names of offenders in the blotter section of the Register-Star. The Town has also spoken with Sheriff David W. Harrison and Captain Scott Brown of the State Police, and both have agreed to add special patrols to all the roads.
According to McGivney, the town is also in the process of getting ready to restripe McCagg Road and Maple Lane, which he hopes will further help control traffic patterns.
“We are advised, and have learned that striping tends to slow traffic and is an effective traffic calming device,” said the Supervisor in his letter detailing the plan to the residents of Maple Lane.
During previous Town Board meetings, the main complaints focused around the lack of double lines to separate the lanes of the road, the heavy truck traffic which many residents felt was well over the weight limit, and, of course, the consistent speeding.
The issue of speeding has been the worst and received the most complaints on Maple Lane.
“It’s incredibly ridiculous how fast people are going,” said one community member who lives on the road. “The worst is on Saturday and Sunday mornings.” He went on to say that he had seen several signs at the entrance to the road, one of which supposedly read “Welcome to Maple Lane Speedway.”
Because of this, McGivney and the board passed a resolution endorsing the petition and filing the necessary paperwork with the state Department of Transportation and Columbia County to reduce the speed, but McGivney said this is a step which may take quite awhile to implement.
“This is a very long process, currently taking two years,” he said in his letter. “However, we have started the process.”
Councilman Mike Kipp was a large proponent of the changes to help reduce speeding, telling the board and community members that he regularly ran on the roads in question, and that the traffic was very fast.
“This is an issue that needs to be addressed,” he said at the time.
This type of speeding problem does not seem to be localized in Kinderhook either, as the town of Greenport has also recently taken steps to deter speeders, installing a three-way stop at the intersection of Harry Howard and Joslen Boulevard. This neighboring town also lowered the weight limit on Joslen, in an effort to stop heavy trucks from using it as a detour to avoid Fairview Avenue.
“I believe [the program] will help.” said McGivney. “I am hopeful that very few tickets will be issued, and that it will just be one of those things that people need to be reminded of. Just bringing it to their attention will be a help.”
The Supervisor also urges anyone with questions or further suggestions on how to address the concerns of speeders and truck traffic on these roads to e-mail him personally at tok@berk.com.
***
To reach reporter Paul Crossman call 518-828-1616, ext. 2266, or e-mail pcrossman@registerstar.com. To comment directly on this story, visit our website at www.registerstar.com.
According to Supervisor Doug McGivney, there are several different aspects of the plan he hopes will make the roads safer for everyone involved.
“I’m hoping that there will be a reduction of whatever speeding is occurring so that all can comfortably use the road, including bikers, joggers and walkers,” he told the Register-Star.
The plan itself entails moving radar machines around on all the roads to remind motorists to check their speed, restricting the weight limit on Novack Road, and even listing the names of offenders in the blotter section of the Register-Star. The Town has also spoken with Sheriff David W. Harrison and Captain Scott Brown of the State Police, and both have agreed to add special patrols to all the roads.
According to McGivney, the town is also in the process of getting ready to restripe McCagg Road and Maple Lane, which he hopes will further help control traffic patterns.
“We are advised, and have learned that striping tends to slow traffic and is an effective traffic calming device,” said the Supervisor in his letter detailing the plan to the residents of Maple Lane.
During previous Town Board meetings, the main complaints focused around the lack of double lines to separate the lanes of the road, the heavy truck traffic which many residents felt was well over the weight limit, and, of course, the consistent speeding.
The issue of speeding has been the worst and received the most complaints on Maple Lane.
“It’s incredibly ridiculous how fast people are going,” said one community member who lives on the road. “The worst is on Saturday and Sunday mornings.” He went on to say that he had seen several signs at the entrance to the road, one of which supposedly read “Welcome to Maple Lane Speedway.”
Because of this, McGivney and the board passed a resolution endorsing the petition and filing the necessary paperwork with the state Department of Transportation and Columbia County to reduce the speed, but McGivney said this is a step which may take quite awhile to implement.
“This is a very long process, currently taking two years,” he said in his letter. “However, we have started the process.”
Councilman Mike Kipp was a large proponent of the changes to help reduce speeding, telling the board and community members that he regularly ran on the roads in question, and that the traffic was very fast.
“This is an issue that needs to be addressed,” he said at the time.
This type of speeding problem does not seem to be localized in Kinderhook either, as the town of Greenport has also recently taken steps to deter speeders, installing a three-way stop at the intersection of Harry Howard and Joslen Boulevard. This neighboring town also lowered the weight limit on Joslen, in an effort to stop heavy trucks from using it as a detour to avoid Fairview Avenue.
“I believe [the program] will help.” said McGivney. “I am hopeful that very few tickets will be issued, and that it will just be one of those things that people need to be reminded of. Just bringing it to their attention will be a help.”
The Supervisor also urges anyone with questions or further suggestions on how to address the concerns of speeders and truck traffic on these roads to e-mail him personally at tok@berk.com.
***
To reach reporter Paul Crossman call 518-828-1616, ext. 2266, or e-mail pcrossman@registerstar.com. To comment directly on this story, visit our website at www.registerstar.com.
Share this Article
 |
 |
|
| County utilizes Ockawamick school: storage | Homeowner calls police as burglars try to invade home |
Article Rating
Reader Comments
The following are comments from the readers. In no way do they represent the view of registerstar.com.
Guy4064 wrote on Sep 24, 2009 6:20 PM:
" I see you did not put my comment on this article up. Apparently the truth is to much. Why have posting at all if you plan to practice selective editing. Totally misleading to the public as well. Maybe the editor should look into the facts before writing misleading articles. Maple Lane is completely safe as these complains are unjustified and unsupported by fact. Hears the definition for you fact /fækt/ Show Spelled Pronunciation [fakt] Show IPA
Use fact in a Sentence
See web results for fact
See images of fact
–noun 1. something that actually exists; reality; truth: Your fears have no basis in fact. "
Use fact in a Sentence
See web results for fact
See images of fact
–noun 1. something that actually exists; reality; truth: Your fears have no basis in fact. "
You must register with a valid email to post comments. Only your Member ID will be posted with the comments.
Registered users sign in here: |
Become a Registered User |
Guy4064 wrote on Sep 23, 2009 9:00 PM: