×

Williamstown discusses speed limit

Williamstown Mayor Jean Ford, from left, and Williamstown City Council members Barbara Lewis, Jim Stage and Marty Seufer discuss a speed limit change at Tuesday’s council meeting. (Photo by Madeline Murphy)

WILLIAMSTOWN — In Williamstown’s previous city council meeting, Jim Crawford, a resident of Four and a Half Street and a Williamstown firefighter/EMT, brought up his concerns on the speed limit on Four and a Half Street near the Yellow Jackets Sweets and Eats restaurant.

“I think we should reduce the speed limit from 25 to 15 mph on Four and a Half from about Park Avenue to the new restaurant, since you cannot see around the corner with the hedge blocking and then the blind hill,” Crawford said.

Council had agreed, but without a recommendation from Williamstown Police Chief Shawn Graham, they could not add it to council’s agenda at that time.

At Tuesday’s meeting, city council was able to address this issue further, passing a first reading of changing the speed limit to 15 mph on that section of the road.

According to Graham, with the amount of vehicle, foot and bike traffic on the road, and the lack of a sidewalk, the blind hill is dangerous. This is why he believes changing the speed limit to 15 mph is a good idea to increase the area’s safety.

The sidewalk ends on this blind hill on Four and a Half Street, forcing all foot or bike traffic into the road. (Photo by Madeline Murphy)

The second reading for making Four and a Half Street one way passed on Sept. 5, and drivers can see the “one way” and “do not enter” signs put up on the street.

“The city has been looking into the Safe Route to School grant for funding for sidewalks,” said Councilman Marty Seufer.

Aside from the city wanting to add a sidewalk to Four and a Half Street, the new school will need sidewalks put in as well.

Also addressed at the meeting was the paving bids.

“Carl Kelly Paving will be paving East Sixth Street, Thompson Park and a section of Caroline Avenue,” said Councilman Jim Stage.

The next city council meeting on Oct. 2 will have a second reading on lowering the speed limit on Four and a Half Street, and a first reading for closing three alley ways. One alley is located next to the high school; the other two are on the former Fenton Art Glass property where the new school is being built.

Announcements made at the meeting were:

∫ The Fire Parade will be Oct. 6. Set-up will be at 6 p.m. and it will start at 7 p.m. The parade begins at the Welcome Center, moves down Highland Avenue and ends at Front Street in Marietta.

∫ The Park Committee has begun fixing the bathrooms, fountains and making sure everything is in “tip top” shape for next summer.

∫ Tuckers Landing has begun excavations for building houses. The homes will be 2,200 square feet each with a double car garage. The two roads, London Lane and Turning Leaf Lane, are in the process of being constructed.

NEWSLETTER

Today's breaking news and more in your inbox

I'm interested in (please check all that apply)
Are you a paying subscriber to the newspaper? *

Starting at $4.62/week.

Subscribe Today