DENNISVILLE – A number of residents, including three members of one family, attended Dennis Township Committee’s Aug. 14 meeting so that their concerns about speeding on Corson’s Tavern Road (County Road 628) would be registered and result in action.
“This has hit me smack in the face. I’m extremely upset and worried about the high speeds down that road and I’m going to stay very focused on getting the county to take action,” said Mayor Zeth Matalucci.
“To emphasize how seriously we are taking this problem, I’ll read in its entirety for the record, and for the public, the resolution we have adopted requesting the county to make traffic calming measures to this newly reconstructed road.”
Extend No-Passing Zone
Per the resolution, committee urged the county to extend the no-passing zone in the South Seaville area of the road. It asked that the county conduct a no-passing zone survey as well as a speed survey in the downtown South Seaville area to determine if a reduction in the posted speed limit of 35 mph is warranted.
Township Engineer Jack Gibson pointed out that if a reduction in the posted speed limit of 35 mph is warranted, the need for rumble strips, in place, would be eliminated.
“This area is at the intersection of Main Street and already has a heavy accident history. The proximity of the South Seaville (United) Methodist Church with its daycare center and the proximity of the South Seaville Fire Company mean safety is beyond a priority, it is critical,” continued Matalucci.
Danger Abounds
Among several Dennis Township residents offering input on the problem, members of the Lombardo family who have residences on this stretch of Corson’s Tavern Road addressed the committee with their observations of the dangerous nature of the speeding that is occurring.
“Vehicles fly down this road, easily doing 60-70 mph. The state troopers are doing what they can and even write tickets, but nothing seems to be stopping this speeding,” said Daniel Lombardo.
“We have school buses coming and going along this road, and the speeders don’t even care about the children. We are scared to death. I am home with my grandchildren, and we are afraid to go out of the driveway because of these cars going at high speeds,” said Melody Lombardo, Daniel’s mother. “We are only eight-tenths of a mile from the intersection where cars are supposed to stop, and by the time they get to our house, they are already doing 60 mph,” added Steve Lombardo, husband of Melody and father of Daniel.
Install a Blinking Light?
Committee discussed other measures that the county could undertake in addition to the speed survey done with radar machines such as installing a blinking red light.
“I think that would be preferable than a traffic light where you might have to sit even though there’s no traffic. A blinking red would force people to stop, but you could go on your way after looking carefully in both directions,” said Matalucci.
“I want to assure everyone here that committee and I take this problem very, very seriously and we’ll be after the county to fix it,” the mayor said.
To contact Camille Sailer, email csailer@cmcherald.com.
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