A harrowing account of a June collision at the intersection of Lothrop Avenue and Great Western Road took center stage at Tuesday’s Traffic Safety Committee meeting, prompting officials to weigh new safety measures for the notorious crossing. Harwich resident Carolyn Hall described the June 29 accident that left her car totaled and her sister injured, recounting the moment she saw a vehicle coming lickety-split before the impact. I was in the intersection... and next thing I knew, collision, Hall told the committee, noting she spent four days in the ICU with a cracked sternum. I'm more or less saying we have to do something. It's a very, very dangerous intersection... I'm just worried about that bicycle path also.

Harwich Police Department representative Aram Gormly noted that accidents at the site are often significant due to the 40-mile-per-hour speed limit on Great Western Road. DPW Director Lincoln Hooper explained that the town previously attempted to lower that limit to 30 or 35 mph, but the request was denied by MassDOT. In response to Hall’s testimony, Hooper suggested the intersection may be a candidate for flashing stop signs. I could evaluate it, Hooper said, agreeing to conduct a site review with Gormly to determine if Dangerous Intersection Ahead signage or other alerts are warranted.

The committee also addressed a request from Witchmere for a temporary speed table on Snow Inn Road, which was met with a firm opposition memo from Fire Chief Kevin Considine. Citing the Massachusetts Fire Code, the Chief reported that speed tables increase emergency response times and cause excessive wear on heavy equipment. Gormly added that data does not support a speeding problem on the narrow road. He's got some of the speed data which shows there isn't a speeding problem on the road at all, Gormly said, explaining that the issue is primarily the constant traffic on a constrained way. Chair Linda noted the physical difficulty for pedestrians in the area, stating, once you're on the street, you're basically hanging off a bush because two cars are coming. The committee deferred to the Chief’s authority but plans to invite Witchmere representatives to a December meeting to discuss alternative mitigation, such as sightline improvements.

A request for new street lighting on the path from White House Field to Pine Oaks Village was also sidelined by a long-standing 2006 Board of Selectmen policy that prohibits new installations for financial and light-pollution reasons. Hooper detailed the significant savings the policy has generated, noting the town’s street light budget dropped from $80,000 to $20,000 annually. The board still has a policy in place from 2006 that prohibits the installation of any new street lights in town, Hooper said. Residents seeking exceptions for safety while walking home from night games were advised they must petition the Select Board directly. Resident Jerry noted that historically, neighbor approval was required to prevent complaints, while Hooper reiterated that the moratorium remains the primary hurdle.

Long-awaited improvements to the Hope and Go intersection at Old Chatham Road and Route 39 are moving toward a construction bid this month. The project features a diverter island with mountable curbs designed to force vehicles into a perpendicular alignment when entering Route 39. It really is trying to be sideways to the street and trying to look down. It's really an awful intersection, the Chair remarked. During the discussion, Jerry raised concerns about a sunken catch basin that causes empty landscaping trailers to thump, thump, thump in the early morning hours. That's within the scope of work, Hooper responded, confirming the basin would be leveled during the upcoming construction phase.

Safety at signalized intersections was also a point of concern for resident Ed McManus, who pointed out that a No Turn on Red sign at the intersection of Pleasant Lake and Queen Anne is positioned too high for truck drivers to see. For me in my truck, it is so high it just disappears, McManus said. He also questioned the height of a new fence on the corner, though Hooper noted that signalized intersections have different sightline requirements than unsignalized ones. Actually I think the fence opened it up more than the previous trees, Hooper observed. A formal Road Safety Audit for that intersection, involving MassDOT, is scheduled for later this week.

The meeting concluded with a discussion on the summer-long battle with reckless e-bike and scooter operation. Gormly expressed frustration with current state laws, which limit local enforcement. Maximum of a $20 fine... helmet violation draws no fine, Gormly said, adding that police cannot take law enforcement action against children under 12. One unidentified committee member asked, At what point do these motorized bicycles, scooters, etc. need to be licensed? and was told that under current law, most do not. Another unidentified member supported the installation of new signage at 203 Bank Street, noting, I think it would make a lot of sense because it's new and people aren't expecting it there.

Procedural business included the approval of past records. Motion Made by an Unidentified Member to accept the minutes of June 10th. Motion Passed (4-0-0). The meeting was adjourned following the completion of the agenda. Motion Made by Linda to adjourn. Motion Passed (4-0-0).