Former crossing guard urges flashing signs, consistent school‑zone protections at Van Antwerp and Hillside

Byron Macintosh, who identified himself to the committee as a former school crossing guard, told members that the crossing near Van Antwerp Middle School and Hillside has become “really super dangerous” after a decade on duty.

Macintosh said drivers routinely pass around him while he stands in the roadway to help children cross and described blocked sightlines, overgrown vegetation and missing signage. “Cars go around my body as I'm in the middle of the road with the sign,” he said, adding that he sometimes saw 20–30 grade‑school children waiting to cross during peak pickup and drop‑off times.

He urged the committee to pursue physical improvements — flashing beacons or solar‑powered flashing lights on stop signs, clearer school‑zone markings and consistent posted speeds — and suggested the town coordinate with the county to trim overgrown vegetation at sightlines. Macintosh also offered to walk the route with staff to point out problem locations.

Committee members thanked Macintosh for his long service, said staff would review the location and noted the town is already evaluating school speed zones. The committee directed staff to follow up with a field visit and to include the location in an ongoing review of school zones and traffic calming recommendations.

The meeting moved on after members recorded minutes and other business; no formal vote or funding decision on infrastructure at that crossing was recorded during the meeting.