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Resident Janice urges wildlife‑crossing signs near Hulte Mart blueberry farm on Route 134
Summary
Janice, who said she and her husband are transitioning the Hulte Mart blueberry farm to conservation land, asked the task force for wildlife‑crossing or deer signage along Route 134 where deer, coyotes and turkeys cross; engineering recommended checking animal‑strike history with animal control/DPW before installing signs.
Janice, a long‑time resident and owner of the Hulte Mart blueberry farm, told the Road Safety Task Force she expects the farm to transition to conservation land and that wildlife corridors cross Route 134 between Bark's Circle and Holcomb Rock Road. She described frequent deer, fox and turkey activity and said a pedestrian crossing and a children‑warning sign had been removed during recent sidewalk work.
Janice urged the task force to replace or add wildlife signage in the stretch she identified and suggested placing signs behind the new sidewalk so drivers would still see them. She said the farm and adjacent golf course create established animal paths that have produced dead deer and other wildlife on the roadway.
Engineering staff said signs for wildlife/to warn drivers are typically placed only where there is a history of strikes and recommended coordinating with animal control and DPW to review incident records before installing signs. Committee members suggested taking photographs, gathering trail‑cam footage and documenting live‑animal observations so staff can demonstrate frequency to the select board or DPW if they recommend a new sign.
Janice said she has trail‑cam footage and biodiversity lists she will share with staff. The task force asked engineering and animal control to review strike records and advised residents to collect photographic evidence of crossings or carcasses to support placement decisions.
