Comm'rs To Study Need For New Stop Sign Near Schools

Barry Roth called parental concerns a "knee jerk reaction"

Bethlehem Township Commissioners needed little persuasion, but about thirty-five residents were at the October 6 meeting to make sure. By a 4-0 vote, Commissioners unanimously decided to seek a traffic study on the need for a four-way stop sign at the intersection of Chester and Santee Roads. That's where two East Hills Middle School students were hit by a car last month during a cross-country practice. One student was severely bruised and another broke an arm. There currently is a three-way stop sign at the site, which is near Freedom High School, East Hills, and the vo-tech school.

A traffic study must be performed before a township decides to add a stop sign at an intersection. Solicitor Jim Broughal advised the Board that, believe it or not, "Traffic signs cannot be used to control speed, just traffic." He added that a sign installed without a study.

Doreen Connelly's daughter stuck by car at that intersection

Barry Roth, a tow truck operator and regular attendee, disputed the need for either a study or a stop sign, noting the accident rate there is low. He called a traffic study a "knee jerk reaction." He was backed up by Police Sgt Daryl LaPointe, who stated there have been only 11 crashes at that intersection over the past ten years. Roth said the children there need more education on safety.

Those claims were disputed heavily by Doreen Connelly and Nathan Stannard, parents of the two children who were recently hit.

"Do we need to have a child in intensive care", she asked.

Stonnard, whose son was thrown eight feet in the air by a car that left 28' of skid marks, said that perhaps it's the drivers who need an education. "It's a very dangerous intersection."

Parent Robyn Guadagnino told Commissioners she sees a "near miss" at the intersection nearly every day. "It's the kids taking chances, left and right."

Resident Don Wright reminded Commissioners of a fourteen year old high school girl, a pedestrian who was stuck and killed while crossing Freemansburg Avenue in the Miller Heights section in 2005. He suggested several areas in the township would benefit from a traffic study.

Commissioner Tom Nolan, who advocated for a stop sign at this intersection seven years ago, moved for a traffic study. President Marty Zawarski wondered whether the school district would be willing to share in the cost, but Nolan cut him short. "I don't put a dollar sign on safety," he argued.

Township Engineer Brian Dillman advised the Board that PennDOT will endorse a stop sign at the location if any one of several conditions are present, including high traffic, frequent accidents, reduced visibility. He added that a four-way stop sign is a precursor to a traffic signal.

Commissioner Michael Hudak was absent.

In other business, Commissioners appointed Frank Grillo, a Bulldogs' Assistant Coach, to the Recreation Board. They also awarded Police Officer David Spearko a monthly disability pension of $2,921.75. He was injured on the job in January 2012.

Finally, Manager Melissa Shafer announced that the township's new web page, http://www.bethlehemtownship.org/, has gone live. Among its features is a live chat function, which Shafer believes is a first for a local government in this area. She added that she took seven chats herself. "It's very easy to find what you're looking for," she stated.