Will Speed Bumps Slow Dennis Traffic?

DENNISVILLE – Dennis Township Committee met Nov. 17 and aired pros and cons of a solution to a long-simmering complaint by residents: speeding by motorists who take a shortcut through township roads when Route 47 is backed up or congested because of an accident.
Committee member Donald Tozer said that he and township Engineer John Gibson attended a meeting in Eldora two weeks prior where 30-40 people participated. “All were pretty much in agreement that speed bumps could make a positive difference there,” he said.
“This is a low-cost solution to the complaints we’ve received from our residents who have had to endure speeding by drivers through our township. The cost for three speed bumps is about $5,000-$6,000 and I recommend we budget $8,000-$9,000 for this need,” said Gibson.
“I know we have pretty much unanimity from Dennis folks in support of speed bumps and over 200 signatures on a petition to install them. But the ‘con’ argument is that for eight months out of the year it will only be residents who are driving over these speed bumps during the time when the summer tourists are gone,” said Committee member Albert DiCicco.
Nevertheless, committee’s prevailing view was that the speed bump project should move forward and Gibson will research procurement and then implement it.
Museum Site Visit, Vandalism
DiCicco reported that township fourth graders had visited Dennis Historical Museum and the event went very well. “We are trying to build a relationship with the school and start early so that our children appreciate the interesting and meaningful history that happened here in Dennis. We also are forging ahead with our oral history project, we have two interviews already accomplished and on the website, the next one is with a young vet from Dennis,” explained DiCicco.
“Meanwhile, however,” he continued, “there has been an act of vandalism at the museum; someone took an ax and hacked the Christmas tree in front of the building. The Historical Society has expended a lot of money maintaining that tree and the area around it, it’s really a shame and so senseless.”
Committee agreed to discuss the option of installing a security camera as a potential deterrent at the site to thwart future acts of destruction.
Senior Center Activities
Committee member Lisa Salimbene gave an explanation of recent activities at the Dennis Senior Center.
“The Halloween luncheon attracted over 64 participants who also enjoyed a presentation by Cape Regional Medical Center on…wait, now I remember…‘Memory’, she said with a smile.”
“For Thanksgiving we have township employees stepping up to serve township seniors at the center for a holiday lunch for which we already have over 60 people signed up. Some of our seniors don’t have family to share Thanksgiving with so this lunch is a big deal and a way to fill in the gap. The Thanksgiving lunch will be followed by a cookie swap, a covered dish lunch and two outings so the next couple of months will be filled with happy occasions for our seniors,” she said.
To contact Camille Sailer, email csailer@cmcherald.com.