| Author | Message | ||
     Cynicalgirl Citizen Username: Cynicalgirl Post Number: 873 Registered: 9-2003  |
I'm sure this will fall on deaf ears, but to whom should I address this concern: The absence of effective street lighting near the cross walk from the Maplewood Middle School to train parking lot is extremely hazardous. I've noticed this since daylight savings time kicked in. I'm particularly worried because the MMS After School Program is currently held in the MMS cafeteria. It closes at 6. My child and a few others leave the cafeteria to meet their parents near the train station, or in the library (where the program is supposed to be held, but is not, while the library renovates). In any case, it's extremely dark and spooky, and cars race down the street, through the train overpass. It is really, really tough to see, and an accident waiting to happen. A spotlight on the corner of the school -- or a decent street light -- would help greatly. This town is generally quite dark w/respect to wattage of street lights. I'm sure it's tasteful and subtle, but it's also dangerous -- especially at this location. What to do? | ||
| flugermongers Citizen Username: Flugermongers Post Number: 282 Registered: 5-2001 |
Perhaps you can get a petition going and make a proposal to the town. I'd sign. | ||
| Joan Citizen Username: Joancrystal Post Number: 4221 Registered: 5-2001 |
Posting it here is one positive step but not enough. Try bringing the poor lighting condition to the attention of the Department of Public Works (which is responsible for exterior street lighting) and the Township Committee. | ||
| Cynicalgirl Citizen Username: Cynicalgirl Post Number: 875 Registered: 9-2003 |
Thanks, Joan. Yep, I'm kind of looking for the most effective strategy for getting someone to take a look at this issue. | ||
| Cynicalgirl Citizen Username: Cynicalgirl Post Number: 883 Registered: 9-2003 |
Tiny update: I learned last night and today that the ASP program at MMS does not know when they will be back in the library. Ergo, during the coming months and the darkness of daylight savings time, some children will be leaving the cafeteria promptly at 6. Some will cross this dangerous intersection. I went to the township site, and I left a voicemail for Mr. Huemer. I will fax a letter to the other Township committee members, and some of the staff, to see how to proceed. | ||
| vicdeluca Citizen Username: Vicdeluca Post Number: 204 Registered: 5-2001 |
Cynicalgirl I suggest that you call Michele Meade, Township Administrator, 973-762-8120. The procedure we used in the past was to send the police to a site where there were lighting concerns to complete an analysis and make recommendations. If a change is warranted, the Township contacts PSE&G and orders upgrades and/or new lights. Since there are no homes at this intersection, the possiblities of adding larger splash lights to the poles could be a real possibility. | ||
| Cynicalgirl Citizen Username: Cynicalgirl Post Number: 885 Registered: 9-2003 |
Mr. DeLuca, THANK YOU! I just spoke with Michele Meade, and she completely concurred with the directions you provided. The is following up with the police department to do such a study. She let me know that it could take a couple of weeks, but would get back to me. I sure hope they see what I see. As you suggest, some kind of splash lights would do it without bugging anyone. I will hold off on my letter/memo to the town council members as I you have guided me to an effective strategy. | ||
| Soda Citizen Username: Soda Post Number: 1948 Registered: 5-2001  |
Kudos, Girl! -s. BTW: I don't think you're really all that cynical. | ||
| Cynicalgirl Citizen Username: Cynicalgirl Post Number: 889 Registered: 9-2003 |
May have to change my name at this rate (but I still love Marshall Crenshaw) | ||
| Reflective Citizen Username: Reflective Post Number: 591 Registered: 3-2003 |
cynicalgirl raises the most important issue to all of us - our children's safety. She gets a great lead from a former committee person, check with the township administrator and cynicalgirl does and is thrilled to hear from the township administrator that the police will do a study which can take two weeks. WOW! Cynical: child safety, 6 pm window, heavy darkness. Don't we know intuitively that the police (HQs located 300 yards away) can make a decision in 5 minutes, that the issue is legit, needs attn and post an officer during the 6pm window. Meanwhile, brochures should be sent to each parent where to pick up the children. Two week study indeed! It's child safety, stupid! Common sense, anyone? | ||
| Dave Citizen Username: Dave Post Number: 450 Registered: 4-1998  |
Reflective revealing no good deed goes unpunished. A problem that's been around for 40+ years (probably since electrical lights were invented) will likely be solved in a few weeks thanks to someone calling attention to it... but it's not fast enough, so s/he brands town workers as stupid. | ||
| Cynicalgirl Citizen Username: Cynicalgirl Post Number: 891 Registered: 9-2003 |
Reflective, I'm very happy with the outcome thus far. Look, I hadn't noticed it until Daylight Savings kicked in -- and, usually the After School Program is held at the library. It's a quirk that right now that it's held at MMS, giving particular rise to the situation. In my opening post I said something about my concern falling on "deaf ears." Well, I did feel cynical as it can feel like the most obvious issue can take years of debate to resolve (here and elsewhere). If it gets resolved in a couple of weeks (and a little more for actual action), I am thrilled. For now, I'll wait and see the results of the study. I'm very pleased that Mr. DeLuca and Ms. Meade were concerned, prompt and clear. It's not a lot of children walking that intersection at that hour, but one of them is mine and so I'm concerned. | ||
| Tom Reingold Citizen Username: Noglider Post Number: 4570 Registered: 1-2003  |
Any movement here? | ||
| Cynicalgirl Citizen Username: Cynicalgirl Post Number: 932 Registered: 9-2003 |
Funny you should ask! Today is the day I noted on my calendar to call Ms. Meade and check! I'll let you know. Pretty end of year nutsy at work right before the "IT freeze," but I think I can work in the call...Every night I look at the situation. There's one existing light on a pole that has either a bulb out, or similar. Even addressing that would help. | ||
| bobk Supporter Username: Bobk Post Number: 6819 Registered: 5-2001 |
I noticed last night that there was a street light burning over the intersection. I don't know if it was working previously since my power of observation ain't what it used to be. However, this is still a dark and dangerous corner with people turning right out of the train station while looking for west bound traffic on Baker. Also people driving east under the underpass often surprise pedestrians in the crosswalk. | ||
| Cynicalgirl Citizen Username: Cynicalgirl Post Number: 933 Registered: 9-2003 |
Just called for an update. Ms. Meade is in a meeting, but I left my work number and the nature of my inquiry. I'll keep you posted. What light did you notice, bobk? I kept seeing this one pole, that hangs over the row where you can diagonally park your car (walking from the station, towards The Dangerous Intersection). Was it that one? Every night I look up, now, to see if any burnt out lights are fixed.. | ||
| bobk Supporter Username: Bobk Post Number: 6828 Registered: 5-2001 |
Cynical, it hung out over the intersection I am pretty sure. I will check again tonight. However, it wasn't very bright. | ||
| bobk Supporter Username: Bobk Post Number: 6863 Registered: 5-2001 |
I forgot to look last night. There is a light hanging out over the intersection and it might be a little bit brighter. It is still a dark intersection. | ||
| Cynicalgirl Citizen Username: Cynicalgirl Post Number: 941 Registered: 9-2003 |
Whelp, by way of update. Left word today. Will try again tomorrow. Yeah, it's darker than Hades. It would help if the existing fixtures got brighter bulbs or whatever. I do think some kind of a spot light or whatever one does nearer the school would be a huge help. | ||
| Cynicalgirl Citizen Username: Cynicalgirl Post Number: 945 Registered: 9-2003 |
Got a voice mail message from Ms. Meade that the police had not yet got back to her. I will call next week for details. |
