During the August 16 meeting of the Mattapoisett Board of Selectmen, the committee researching road signage for improved bicyclist and pedestrian crossing at Mattapoisett Neck and Brandt Island Roads met to discuss their findings.
The committee, comprised of Bonne DeSousa, Police Chief Mary Lyons, Highway Superintendent Barry Denham, along with residents Mr. and Mrs. Nathan Ketchel, shared several types of illuminated caution and speed signs that could be installed to assist motorists as they approach the crossings.
In a surprise turn of events, DeSousa said that after the June selectmen meeting when the committee was first charged with coming up with solutions, the subsequent news coverage was seen by the executive director of the Howard Stillman Bates Foundation, Maureen Butler.
Butler reached out to DeSousa saying that Bates enjoyed bicycling his entire life and that improving the crossings was something that the foundation could support. DeSousa called the foundation’s contribution “substantial.”
The types of illuminated signs under consideration are flashing beacon with a proximity sensor that would warn motorists when someone was in the crosswalk and flashing radar speed feedback signs with the capacity to collect traveling speed data. The costs associated with the safety signs run between $3,500 and $9,000 and could be powered by either solar or direct electrical access.
The Board of Selectmen opted to have electrical power brought to the sign locations since this would allow additional safety equipment to be added at a later date.
Selectman Paul Silva said, “If it means saving someone from being hurt, I’m all for it.”
Town Administrator Michael Gagne said that the town could probably fund part of the project from free cash at the November town meeting.
The posted speed limit at the crossings was also discussed. DeSousa said that studies have shown that, “If you are hit at 40 miles per hour you have a 1 in 10 chance of survival, at 30 miles per hour 5 in 10, and at 20 it is 9 in 10.” She made the point that lower speeds save lives.
Resident Cindy Johnson lobbied the selectmen to try and do something about posted speed limits on Route 6, urging a lower rate of speed from Prospect Road to Main Street. Gagne said that he and Representative William Straus would be meeting with Massachusetts Department of Transportation representatives to discuss such issues with Route 6.
One of the topics Gagne and Straus plan to bring up at the MassDOT meeting is the possibility of adding a sidewalk to the south side of Route 6 near the intersection of Route 6 and River Road. “I think that would be fantastic,” he said.
The selectmen and committee members also discussed the need for safety signs when the bike path eventually crosses Park Street and North Street in the future.
Earlier in the evening, the selectmen along with Chief Lyons recognized the heroic efforts of Alex Turner, Lakeville, and Chris Nicolosi, Mattapoisett, when on July 30 they aided police officer Adalberto Cardoso, Jr., when a pedestrian fell from the trestle bridge near the YMCA camp.
Shallow water made assistance by the fire department rescue boat impossible. Turner and Nicolosi were in a small Carolina skiff and were able to assist the officer who had scrambled down the slope to the injured party. The boaters brought the victim to shore at the landing on Mattapoisett Neck Road where emergency personnel were waiting.
Turner and Nicolosi received citations for their efforts with Cardoso saying, “Your willingness to help made our jobs easier.” Chief Lyons added, “It was exceptional what you did.”
Then Chief Lyons and the selectmen turned their attention to Cardoso as he was appointed as a full-time Mattapoisett police officer.
Chief Lyons said that Cardoso had completed his police academy training in Florida and had been working for the last year in Mattapoisett becoming familiar with local laws and regulations. He was given the police oath with his new bride and family standing by.
The next meeting of the Mattapoisett Board of Selectmen is tentatively scheduled for September 20 at 7:00 pm in the Mattapoisett Town Hall conference room. Beginning in October, the board will resume its regular monthly schedule of the second and fourth Tuesdays of each month.
By Marilou Newell
