Proposal to design pedestrian crosswalk at East Market and Center prompts debate over flashing beacons and fund‑balance use

Village staff proposed commissioning engineering work to design a pedestrian crosswalk and permitting package at the intersection of East Market and Center Street, including plans for rectangular rapid‑flashing beacons (RRFBs). The engineering task order was presented at an estimated $15,000 for design, permitting and bid documents.

Why it matters: East Market and Center Street are high‑pedestrian locations, especially on weekends during the farmer’s market. Installing a crosswalk with appropriate signage and possible user‑activated beacons would affect pedestrian safety, DOT permitting requirements and recurring maintenance costs for the village.

Discussion and concerns: Trustees asked whether the proposed task order — which staff indicated would be funded from fund balance — had to wait until the board completed a promised workshop on fund balance priorities. Several trustees also questioned the brightness and maintenance costs of user‑activated flashing signs after recounting an instance where an RRFB near a local business was unusually bright late at night. Brandy (engineering staff/consultant) said the RRFBs are generally solar and that maintenance is primarily battery replacement; trustees asked for an estimate of ongoing maintenance costs and whether a non‑flashing signage option could meet DOT permitting and safety requirements. The Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD) and NYSDOT policies were cited as constraints that drive signage requirements for crosswalks on state route 308.

Board direction: Rather than proceed immediately with the $15,000 task order as presented, trustees asked staff to revise the scope to remove flashing beacons (if feasible) to reduce cost and to return with a breakdown of installation and ongoing maintenance costs. Trustees also directed staff to coordinate with the comprehensive plan implementation committee and Dutchess County Transportation Council so crosswalk priorities align with the village’s broader pedestrian plan.

Outcome: No final vote was recorded to commit fund balance to the task order at the meeting. Staff (Brandy) was directed to revise the task order, evaluate non‑flashing alternatives, confirm DOT permitting needs and provide maintenance‑cost estimates and a prioritization recommendation to the board.