More Speed Zones Sought in Harpersfield

HARPERSFIELD  – No one spoke at either of the two public hearings last Wednesday and Harpersfield Town Board members went ahead with approval of the franchise agreement with Spectrum and established a waiver for the town's communication tower law to allow a change in the fall zone.

Sally Ann McCarty, a resident of Streeter Hill Road, was present to ask the town board to consider a motion to seek a lower speed limit. She believes a 10 or 15 mph change in the speed limit may give her more time to avoid a collision. She said she pulls onto the roadway from a hayfield and is fearful of an accident due to the straightaway along which she said "they fly.” 

"They zoom past my house and it is not uncommon to pull out with a tractor and wagon or a truck. I don't know if a speed sign would help, but it might help my impact. When I was a kid, you could sleep on the road." Without the speed zone, she said she really has no recourse.

She also referred to motorcycle drag racing and she fears for the safety of her dog, who is aging and getting deaf. "Anything would be an improvement." she lamented.

A motion was made to contact the state Department of Transportation to survey the roadway for a speed reduction. A separate motion was made for O'Dell Lake Road and O'Dell Lake Road Extension.

Board members also approved a stop sign for Bruce Hill Road at the Peters Road intersection. An upcoming solar project is expected to increase traffic and its use by construction vehicles.

Sue Fortier had asked for a stop sign on dead-end Weaver Road last month and the county is proposing to do some work at the intersection with Peck St. and State Route 10. They will determine the best placement for a stop sign.

Board members also discussed the concrete repairs at the transfer station. The town has reached out to the county which advised the rebar for the C-channels makes it easier for the boxes to travel on. There will also be signage and rails designating the new garbage dumping area. The town will determine if they can receive quotes or advertise for bids.

New cameras will be installed at the town highway garage and town hall. The cameras proved beneficial for a recent incident at the transfer station. The footage of the incident was pulled up and saved. Supervisor Lisa Driscoll said the current equipment is outdated. A panic button will also be installed for the town justice.

Dr. Richard Ucci was reappointed as town health officer. The contract with the Heart of the Catskills Humane Society was approved. The contract remains the same. 

The town highway barn will be painted and the front of the barn repaired. The cold storage shed will also be repainted. It will be done by summer youth labor and should make things look a lot better, according to the supervisor. 

With the recent release of Comprehensive Highway Improvement Funding, Highway Superintendent Russell Hatch provided a list of roads to receive sealing and paving. They include Zimmerman Road, Parker Schoolhouse Road from the town line to Quaker Hill Road, Middlebrook Hill Road from County Rt. 29 to State Rt. 23. Austin, Titus Lake, and Champlin roads are due for paving. The proposal includes 6.72 miles of roadway.

Money from a Robinson-Broadhurst Foundation grant will be used to help pay $75,000 toward the new truck with the rest coming from CHPS funding. 

Board members then moved into an executive session to discuss personnel.