SMETHPORT — Smethport Borough Council heard comments Monday from a group of residents concerned about “three serious traffic issues.”
Gail McBride acted as spokesperson and mentioned the dangerous situation of speeding along Long Street and the risk for pedestrians who are forced to walk on the wrong side of the curve from Long Street leading to Hilton Avenue. This situation can also be dangerous for children, it was noted.
The second concern involves motorists who fail to stop at the intersection of routes 6 and 59. In addition, shrubbery in that area blocks the view of motorists traveling east on Route 59 from seeing traffic coming north on Route 6.
Speeding on Bank and Main streets was also a concern, as were motorists who fail to stop at the intersection of West Water and Long streets.
One of the residents stated that the traffic lights remain green too long for Main Street traffic. The trimming of shrubbery at this location was also thought to be a responsibility of the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation.
In response, council President Greg Rounsville said the borough has dealt with this matter in the past and was informed that PennDOT regulates the time the lights remain red and green.
Rounsville said he will discuss the concerns with Police Chief Pat Warnick.
Warnick, who attended the meeting, replied that there is not enough room on Hilton Avenue for VASCAR miles per hour recordings, adding officers will patrol the area.
After the meeting Warnick told The Era that department officers will closely observe red lights and crosswalks on Main Street.
In other matters, council set 6 to 7:30 p.m. on Oct. 31 as Trick-or-Treat in the borough.
Council members decided to hold an adjourned meeting at 7 p.m. on Oct. 16 to consider the 2018 budget.
After hearing a request from the organizers of Pumpkin Fest on Nov. 5 to be held in Hamlin Lake Park, council agreed to cooperate with this free community event.
The borough approved the use of state aid in the amount $17,597.24 as reimbursement to the general fund. According to the resolution, the Municipal Pension Plan Funding and Recovery act provides that the municipality has the latitude of using state aid to help defray the Uniformed Pension Plan costs, as well as their Police Plan costs.
Councilman Jeff Tanner, who is also a Shade Tree Commission member, noted the borough will cooperate with the Smethport Rotary Club in planting 17 trees as part of Rotary International President Ian Riseley’s adopted project of planting one tree for each of the 1.2 million-member service organization.
Council’s executive session to discuss personnel matters lasted 28 minutes.
