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New London parents, pediatrician urge action on poorly visible Pleasant Street crosswalk
Summary
A New London resident told the selectboard that 23 children from Birch Acres and Job Seaman’s Acres walk across a low-visibility crosswalk on Pleasant Street and urged installation of permanent signage or a flashing beacon; public works said additional permanent signs and higher posts for beacons could help but cost and vandalism are concerns.
Christine Arseno, a New London resident and pediatrician-to-be, told the selectboard on July 2 that 23 children in her Birch Acres–Job Seaman’s Acres neighborhood regularly walk to school and that the crosswalk on Pleasant Street is difficult for drivers to see.
"We have 23 kids between the ages of two and 18, many of whom walk to school," Arseno said, describing a dip in the road and sight-line problems that obscure the crosswalk. She said the town’s portable sign often gets moved and that a permanent flashing signal or other measures would improve safety.
The board’s director of public works, Sam Clark, said he inspected the location and recommended adding permanent signage and a "crosswalk ahead" signal on both approaches; he cautioned that portable signs have been vandalized or moved and that rapid-flash beacons — which are effective — are relatively expensive and subject to placement rules on state roads.
"We can add additional signage that will bring more attention to the area," Clark said, noting that rapid-flash beacons have worked elsewhere but can cost in the low five-figure range depending on site needs.
Board members and residents discussed alternatives including asking the school district about a crossing guard or designating staff to escort students, and whether money might be found before the next formal budget cycle. A board member suggested staff pursue short-term measures where feasible and include larger installations in the next budget.
The selectboard did not take a formal vote on a capital purchase at the meeting. Staff said they will review options, attempt to identify a cost-effective flashing-beacon solution and return with clarifying information for the board to consider during budget discussions.
The board also asked staff to explore whether the school district can provide or designate crossing assistance and to evaluate where permanent signage or higher posts could improve sight lines.
