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Kensington board asks DOT for four‑way stop after repeated crashes; some members say traffic light preferable
Summary
After a DOT notice, the Kensington Select Board voted to request a four‑way stop at the intersection referenced in the notice, citing a history of accidents and concerns from emergency and public‑works staff; at least one official said a traffic light would be preferable but costlier.
Staff told the board that DOT had issued a notice proposing an all‑way stop and requested comments. Board members, emergency‑services staff and public works reviewed crash patterns and safety tradeoffs and discussed lower‑cost options such as signage and solar flashing lights versus more costly signalization.
One emergency‑services speaker warned: "It's only a matter of time before we have a serious injury there or a fatality," arguing for prompt action. Another board member said a traffic signal would be the long‑term fix but acknowledged that a four‑way stop was a faster, less expensive option.
After discussion the board passed a motion requesting DOT install an all‑way/four‑way stop at the intersection identified in the transcript (referenced as '150 and 1107') and directed staff to file comments with DOT. The transcript shows the board discussed DOT's comment window (the record contains both Feb. 13 and Mar. 13 in adjacent lines; staff should confirm the official deadline with DOT when filing comments).
Why it matters: Officials described repeated crashes at the location and differing views on the appropriate engineering response. The board’s formal comment to DOT begins the town’s documented input into the state or regional review process and may influence whether DOT installs signage, flashing beacons or a signal.
Next steps: Staff was asked to submit the board's comments to DOT by the transcript's referenced deadline and to follow up with DOT on timeline and design recommendations. The board did not set a specific funding commitment for signalization during the meeting.
