Town Board has lively dialog with residents about roads
In a well-attended and lively meeting focused on roads, the Town Board:
Moved forward in addressing speeding on roads in hamlets.
Worked at a deeper level on the proposed paving of Hartigan Road.
Talked among themselves about short-term rentals, with little
audience interest being shown.
Moved by long-standing frustration with speeding drivers, as well as
anecdotal evidence of danger to pedestrians and children, especially in Old
Chatham, residents pleaded with Board members to take action.
The Board said it had contacted the County Sheriff and State Police and
requested more attention to speeders, and it had taken initiatives with state
transportation officials about lowering speed limits in the hamlets and adding
so-called “speed calming” devices like humps in the pavements. Board
members wondered aloud if Albany Turnpike in Old Chatham, between the
post office and Wempel’s, might qualify for a 20-mph school-zone limit
because it has a daycare operation.
Residents of East Chatham and Malden Bridge also voiced alarm over
speeding, and routine displays of bad driving manners, like passing on a two-
yellow-line stretch.
The Hartigan Road discussion began with residents from various areas of the town
voicing dismay at a decision by the former highway superintendent to pave
Hartigan Road despite a lack of consensus on that solution. The newly named
superintendent echoed his predecessor’s rationale. The road, they said, costs too
much to maintain in light of its constant use by motorists and heavy trucks. It ends
up being unsafe.
Some speakers countered that paving the road is likely to increase
speeding, thereby creating a different issue with safety for drivers, walkers and
bikers.
Board member Rick Werwaiss said it appeared that no alternatives to paving had
been considered. Several speakers spoke about the desirability of having a range of
options in road planning, not just gravel or paving.
At previous meetings, the arguments against paving seemed mostly
emotional: nostalgia for what Chatham used to be and concern about losing
the economic benefits and recreational opportunities that often come with
dirt roads.
This time, board members and residents talked together about safety
problems that come with paving, such as even worse speeding, and loss of
safe places to move to when trucks come down the road. It was more about
practicalities and less about scenic vistas.
Board members talked at length about short-term rentals, but did so without
much apparent interest among residents. Board member Destiny Hallenbeck
did address the negative impact of short-term rentals on availability of
affordable housing in town, especially for young families and seniors.
Otherwise, the discussion seemed to focus on how to continue allowing
short-term rentals but not allowing owners to go overboard.