Selectmen hold-off on addressing Franklin St. concerns
Published on September 10th, 2008
STONEHAM, MA - Selectmen hold-off on addressing Franklin Street traffic and sidewalk concerns
The town's Board of Selectmen recently postponed its deliberations over the future of the Franklin Street bumpouts, but several members indicated that they considered the sidewalk extensions as a proper safety precaution.
With Franklin Street resident John DeGeorge absent due to an illness, the Selectmen agreed to wait to decide whether to endorse a warrant article this October to fund the removal of the bumpouts.
However, the board agreed that a temporary change to the traffic signal in front of the high school, where the lights were shifted to blinking yellow along Franklin Street, needed to end to ensure student safety.
"Currently, since school is going to start, the lights will be working lights, as opposed to blinking all the time," advocated Selectmen veteran Robert Sweeney. "Should we just do that, allow Mr. DeGeorge some time to recuperate, [and have him come back] to restate his case? He is very passionate about this."
During a gathering last August, DeGeorge implored the Selectmen to reconsider the placement of the bumpouts along the roadway nearby Stoneham High School.
DeGeorge further argued that the traffic signal in front of the high school not only jeopardized student safety, but also caused a considerable traffic hardship for local residents during the summer months.
"School is not in session right now and we're experiencing a lot of traffic flow delays, especially during the rush hour," DeGeorge said last month. "Since the Dunkin' Donuts opened and we've put in this third lane, you've created chaos, gridlock, and safety issues."
"Especially when there's no school, there's no reason for that light to be triggered when one car is leaving [the high school]," he added.
Although some board members had suggested that night time traffic could be reduced during the school year by switching the signal back to blinking yellow after dismissal time, Selectman Paul Rotondi advised against that change.
"The only concern I have is with Friday night football and night basketball games. That school is always occupied at night," said Rotondi.
"If we leave the lights on the normal cycle, it will always be green on Franklin Street unless the pressure pads are activated," agreed Stoneham Police Chief Richard Bongiorno, who felt the abundance of events at the high school warranted a return to a normal signal cycle.
According to DeGeorge, the right-hand turn only signal into the school property also constitutes a danger, as vehicles can whip into the turn and potentially strike a student in the crosswalk.
The turning lane was added when the proponents for the nearby Dunkin' Donuts shop agreed to realign Franklin Street.
Although crossing guards are stationed at the front of the school each morning and afternoon, they often have to turn their backs to cars entering the right-hand turn lane in order to direct vehicles approaching from Melrose and exiting the school grounds.
DeGeorge also claims that the bumpouts, which extend the sidewalks further out into Franklin Street so that pedestrians can get a better view of approaching vehicles, in fact cause more safety hazards.
Referring to the MassHighway public hearing process leading-up to the repaving and realignment of Franklin Street, DeGeorge insisted that state officials were actually opposed to the installation of the bumpouts.
However, according to Bongiorno, he was still standing by Safety Officer Laurence Rotondi's contention that the sidewalk extensions protected the town's youth by adding an extra layer of pedestrian safety.
"We stand by that original report," the police chief said matter-of-factly.
Subscribe and get Home Delivery of The Independent
Save 36% off the newstand price — that's like 18 FREE issues!