Page 8 THE VILLADOM TIMES II • July 13, 2011 Ridgewood Village council discusses traffic safety issues by John Koster The Ridgewood Village Council discussed two aspects of traffic safety at last week’s work session: a potential re-engineering the intersection of Franklin Avenue and Oak Street, sometimes seen as a magnet for pedestrian injuries and near-miss accidents; and the possible acquisition of illuminated, hand-held stop signs for school crossing guards. Ridgewood Police Officer Mark Butler, ably assisted by his 13-year-old son Wade, appeared before the council at the beginning of meeting to demonstrate one of two illuminated hand-held stop signs that the police force had received gratis as an incentive from the dealer to purchase one for each crossing guard. Patrolman Butler demonstrated the illuminated stop sign, which has a dozen small flashing lights around the perimeter, and his son Wade demonstrated the conventional hand-held stop sign, donated by the Automobile Association of America at no cost to local taxpayers. “The feedback that we’re getting is that they’re great, especially in low-light conditions,” Patrolman Butler told the council. Butler, who advocated the purchase of the illuminated signs if economically viable, noted a couple of negative aspects along with reports of improved visibility and compliance by motorists. Comprehensive coverage of all 28 manned crossings would cost Ridgewood $6,450, and the signs might be a bit heavy for older crossing guards to handle. “There might be a concern for using that sign, holding it up for the 45 minutes they’re on that post,” Patrolman Butler said. The signs also need to be recharged nightly to keep them flashing. Deputy Mayor Thomas Riche, without committing for or against the signs, noted that this could be solved by having chargers for the signs in the crossing guards’ cars. Butler said chargers are available. Councilwoman Bernadette Walsh said the real problem is not the stop signs or the guards, but the attitudes of some of the motorists. “It seems no matter which sign is being used, people just don’t stop,” Walsh said. “I would rather see $6,000 spent on enforcement. “The council will take it under consideration,” said Mayor Keith Killion. He thanked the Butlers for their presentation. Councilwoman Walsh noted that a similar problem had to be considered before undertaking any of the reconstruction tentatively suggested for the Franklin Avenue/ Oak Street intersection, where pedestrianvehicle accidents are seen as a serious threat. A pedestrian safety island was considered for the middle of Franklin Avenue at Ridgewood Police Officer Mark Butler and his son Wade demonstrate signs at the Ridgewood Council session. the point where pedestrians cross from Oak Street, which is mostly residential except for the YMCA-YWCA and a few commercial uses near Franklin Avenue. “People just walk out into the middle of the street,” Walsh said. “I don’t know that having a pedestrian island is going to mitigate that.”