Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Public Safety Traffic School Safety topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Council urges review of removed guardrail after vehicle crash at South School; resident reports increase in panhandling
Summary
Jamestown council members on Jan. 6 urged a review of a removed guardrail at South School after a vehicle drove onto the school lawn on Jan. 4, and a local musician told the council he feels less safe downtown because of increased panhandling.
Council members raised safety concerns after a vehicle drove up onto the lawn at South School in the early hours of Jan. 4, damaging a street sign and prompting renewed calls to reinstall a removed guardrail.
Council Member Paterniti said a guardrail was removed during a roadway redesign and that public-works supervisor Mark told him the new road design made a replacement unnecessary. Paterniti said he disagrees and noted the crash on Jan. 4, which he said likely resulted from poor weather and excessive speed; he said replacing the guardrail would cost well over $10,000. He urged the mayor to discuss possible cost-sharing with the school superintendent so the city and the school district might jointly fund replacement for student safety.
Separately, local musician Randy Shanahan spoke during public comment that he often does not feel safe in the city, naming Jazz Avenue and the square as areas where he has experienced increased panhandling and individuals approaching him for money or cigarettes. Council members acknowledged his concerns and noted the city is hearing similar public-safety reports.
No formal vote or direction to staff to purchase and install a guardrail was recorded in the meeting transcript; council members asked for further conversation with the superintendent and for staff to revisit the location.
