Watkins hears about traffic issues

Sep 21, 2010 at 02:37 pm by Observer-Review


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Watkins hears about traffic issues

WATKINS GLEN—A series of traffic issues were the main concerns addressed by the Watkins Glen Village Board at their regular meeting Monday, Sept. 20.
Odd/even parking will go into effect Nov. 1. In the past this parking law has been confusing to both residents and visitors to the area. On odd calendar days vehicles must be parked on the side of the street with odd house numbers and on even days vehicles must be parked on the side of the street with even house numbers. According to Don Perry of the Street Department, it is hoped that more signs on First Street will be put in place to help reduce confusion since there are no house numbers on that street.
David Crans from Salt Point Road brought up the issue of speeding trucks on Salt Point Road. He asked the board if an alternate route could be discussed. “I think it would be a huge improvement,” Mayor Judy Phillips said, and encouraged him to talk to the Reading Town Board.
“I’ll admit that it’s an issue,” Police Chief Tom Struble said. He is going to work on putting a police study together to gather data and see what can be regulated from the data gathered.
Trustee William Smagner brought up the railroad tracks by Cargill Salt on East Fourth Street as being a driving issue. Perry said that part of the road needs to be blacktopped and is on the list. “We’ll get to it, but we’re running out of time too,” he said.
In other business:
• Phillips brought a letter to the board from Bill Decker regarding Thunder in the Glen. This event is held on Franklin Street celebrating racing during NASCAR weekend. In the letter Decker asked if the open container law could be waived for next year’s event. According to Mayor Phillips it has been done in the past, but there was some confusion about the law and allowing people to drink on the streets, but not sell on the streets. The Liquor Authority also told bar owners that people were allowed to leave their facilities with an open container.
“I don’t see it as a major issue,” Struble said. He also said it could be tried once to see how it goes, but limited hours would be put in place.
Phillips said Decker needs to come back and address the new board in April.
• The board agreed to allow Fire Chief Dominick Smith to put a new fire engine out for bid beginning Oct. 18. The new engine would replace a current 20-year- old engine. Smagner said the paperwork is done and we’re “ready to go on that.”

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