Resident airs traffic safety concerns

FRANKLIN — Tamara Contreras stepped forward on Oct. 23 to address remaining road safety concerns on South Rutherford Avenue.
“The police presence has helped on South Rutherford Ave but when they leave, drivers go back to their old ways.”
Contreras came to the meeting with ideas that included making the roadway a ‘No Thru Traffic’ street and posting a 25 mph speed limit sign.
Residents on the road chipped in to buy the 2 signs Contreras brought with her to the meeting.
Contreras gave an emotional plea for help in keeping the roads safe.
“Especially for our children," Contreras said. "We have great anxiety unloading and loading our children into our vehicles.” Contreras said, “We don’t know what the process is to invoke some further attention on this matter. Do you need these signs? Do you need a petition?”
Council member John Postas would like the correct speed limit investigated.
“I really thought there used to be a sign stating the speed limit was 15 miles per hour,” he said.
Other ideas included having yellow lines painted down the middle of the road, speedbumps, continued presence of the speed capture sign, and making the street a one-way direction.
Mayor Nick Giordano did not want to take the signs yet and all agreed speedbumps may not be a good solution. Giordano asked Administrator Alison Littell McHose to first talk to the Department of Public Works to see if signs can be placed on the street and to research the proposed ideas. Giordano also asked Littell McHose to reach out to the local business there to try and understand what agreements were in place for the back entrances to their establishments from South Rutherford Avenue.
Also presenting at the council meeting was members from the Highlands Council. Many motions pertaining to working with Highlands Council were tabled for the next meeting. Also tabled was a motion regarding a Vehicle request from the Wallkill Valley First Aid Squad and a motion to release a performance guarantee regarding a development known as Estell Manor.
The motion to obtain new doors in the Police Department Building was approved so that the building can be up to date on the most current juvenile egress codes. The biggest ‘Ooohss’ and ‘Ahhhsss’ of the night were heard from the Mayor and residents when Littell McHose indicated a new empanada restaurant would be coming to the borough.