To the Editor,

The elimination of the crossing guard at the corner of Sycamore (Clifton) and Central Avenue has created a particularly unsafe condition for the children who must cross at that intersection to attend their school.  According to an article published in the Westfield Leader dated August 20, 2009, the town is creating a new traffic pattern that is intended to increase the traffic on Central Avenue. In other words, the town is anticipating even more traffic at the intersection at the exact time they have eliminated the crossing guard.

While I realize that the Town Council in no way intends for the situation to be unsafe, the introduction of a new traffic pattern, new lights, confusing signs in addition to the elimination of the crossing guard at this intersection creates a danger for the children who walk to school. The vast majority of the children crossing the intersection are elementary school aged and must cross the intersection twice, as there are only sidewalks on one side of the Clifton side of the intersection.

As the situation now stands, students will have to hope that the people making legal right turns are aware that they are in the cross walk. I don't think that children trying to get to school should have to hope that they are safe.  I believe the town should consider returning the crossing guard to the corner, or at the very least, install a push-button-activated four-way stop light that would require all traffic to stop while children cross the streets on their way to school.
 
Sincerely,
 
Anne Johnson Endy