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Resident urges action on Third Avenue safety and roadside litter after ICE Arena traffic rise
Summary
A Watertown resident told the City Council that increased traffic tied to the ICE Arena has heightened safety concerns on Third Avenue and flagged persistent roadside litter; council members said they have discussed speed and cleanup options with township and law enforcement partners.
Doug Allen, a Watertown resident, told the City Council on March 3 that traffic related to the ICE Arena has raised safety concerns on Third Avenue and that roadside litter has become a recurring problem.
Allen said the roadway carries 30 to 40 additional cars during events, that its surfaces vary from gravel to crushed asphalt, and that many drivers are traveling fast enough to make the rough roadway more hazardous. “The speed limit on township roads is 55 miles an hour. That's pretty fast, when you've got 30 or 40 cars coming by coming from the ice arena,” Allen said. He also reported seeing “cases of bush light cans rolling around in the ditch and on the road,” and said he suspects underage drinking at times.
Why it matters: Allen said people walk dogs and use a nearby bike path that crosses Third Avenue, creating pedestrian exposure where he sees both speed and trash problems. He told the council he has spoken with the township supervisors and Coddington County law enforcement and said those parties have been responsive but that lowering the posted speed is not currently a township priority.
Council response: A council member present said the open forum is not the usual place for extended debate but acknowledged the concerns and said staff would discuss the matter later in the agenda. Allen was invited to remain for that agenda item.
What was said about remedies: Allen said township officials told him a lower speed limit would require additional township meetings and is not at the top of the township’s list. He also said the police have spoken with ICE Arena leadership, coaches and parents about trash and behavior. Council members and staff later referenced continuing conversations with the township and law enforcement; no formal directive or new enforcement action was moved during the meeting.
Next steps and context: Allen suggested a neighborhood spring cleanup but said the problem goes beyond litter removal to traffic speed and public-safety risks tied to roadside activity. The council did not take a formal vote on the matter that evening. The issue was flagged for further discussion later in the meeting and for follow-up by staff and relevant township and law enforcement partners.
