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Residents urge review of a school‑area traffic signal and press for more library plan transparency
Summary
Public commenters told the council a short traffic‑signal timing at a Middle School intersection creates unsafe conditions and raised questions about proposed library plans, staffing implications and a FOIL response; Mayor Keeler and City Clerk Roni Miorin responded during public comment.
Several residents used the public‑comment portion of the May 26 meeting to raise safety and transparency concerns and asked the council for follow-up.
Shawn VanSleet of The Orchard told the council the traffic signal timing at the route he uses to drop his wife at the Middle School is too short and creates unsafe behavior: "That intersection is not safe parents are in a hurry and going through the light." Mayor Keeler said he had the traffic commissioner check the location and that the commissioner "didn’t see a traffic problem," adding, "people have to obey the traffic lights." The transcript records no formal follow-up action or schedule for a reexamination of signal timing.
Alicia Abdul described the Library's Summer Reading kickoff on June 7 (rain date June 14), and said the 2025 program drew 315 kickoff attendees, resulted in 54 new library cards and had 1,350 total Summer Reading participants. Abdul promoted upcoming programs including an Audubon Society presentation and a summer theme tied to the NYS Museum dinosaur exhibit.
Paula Brewer asked whether the new library design would be revised and expressed concern that a change could increase staffing needs and require additional local matching funds if the library sought more grant money. Brewer said she had submitted a FOIL request and had not received a response. Mayor Keeler said he did not foresee design changes at that time and confirmed he had told Ray the city could repurpose a previously set‑aside $25,000 for children’s books or other library needs. City Clerk Roni Miorin told Brewer she would follow up with staff and speak to Mike Durocher about the FOIL materials.
Patricia Sabilia asked the council to improve transparency on the Community Economic Development page, noting project listings lacked descriptive details and that April 14 minutes did not include public comment; Mayor Keeler and Council President Adam Biggs clarified that workshop components and special meetings have different minute‑taking practices.
None of the public comments triggered additional public votes at the May 26 meeting; the council did not record a formal directive in the public minutes to change signal timing or to alter library plans, but staff indicated they would follow up on FOIL and documentation availability.
