Absolutely the light should either be moved or removed. I live in Mr. Ciarrocca's neighborhood and the issue of a traffic light has been investigated several times since moving here in 1989. In the past we were told the need wasn't great enough to warrent a light. My children are now 26 and 23 and life has not changed in the neighborhood as to make it necessary for a light. We too never got any notice that Cambridge was being closed and a light was being constructed. I even sent an email to the mayor and his response was that a child went around with a notice. No one ever came by and why would a child be given that responsibility? I can't believe that the council is now passing this off to the county. Ridiculous.

The pedestrian light at the intersection of Central Ave. and Mrs. Enculusco's driveway should be moved to the intersection of Central Ave. and Clover St; the original location recommended by the town's consulting engineer Gordon Meth. It appears that the town council and Union County are in a "tug of war" as to who should pay for this mistake.
Greg Kasko

The pedestrian light installed at the intersection of Central Ave and Adina Enculesu's driveway should be moved to the original proposed location of Central Ave. and Clover St. The original location was recommended by the Town of Westfield's consulting engineer, Gordon Meth of Keller and Kirkpatrick. Mayor Skibitsky has stated that the town "relied on the experts" to direct them where to install the light. Was anyone of the eight people chosen by the Mayor and Council to serve on the any committee to oversee this project a traffic safety engineer? Are any of them experts in traffic engineering as Gordon Meth is?

Okay..so the town administration said it's a county issue, but what is their stance on the matter? Are they assisting its citizens with making the case to the county? Certainly the town was involved with this decision...no? Given the uproar, the apparent mis-handling of the situation, and that Mark Ciarrocca represents the neighborhood, can't he/the town assist with doing the right thing and work with Westfield constituents to make its case to the county? This just doesn't add up.

I would just like to clarify that Gregory Kasko was the unnamed resident who presented the council with copies of the report by engineer Gordon Meth.

Greg Kasko's name was edited into the article.

Once the County activates this pedestrian light, it will be "turned over" to the Town. The preliminary construction cost of this project in 2005 numbers was $124,890. Now that the project is complete, the burden of the cost to relocate this light falls on who? If the County activates the light and it's ownership becomes the Town's responsibility you can almost guarantee that the town, under existing fiscal constraints, will be unable to allocate the funds needed to relocate the light. Is that why the Mayor and Town Council are suggesting we wait until after the light is activated to "revisit" the issue. Mr. Ciarrocca and Mayor Skibitsky, if this was a County mistake, why won't you stand with your fellow residents and petition the County to have the light relocated.

I can not understand why it has been so difficult for everyone to understand why this pedestrian light (not traffic light) was located where it is. It was not meant for vehicle traffic ONLY for pedestrians trying to cross Central Ave. Which if you ever tried is immpossible not to mention how difficult it is for a child. It will only work when pressed. So I ask what the heck is the big deal? Stop complaining and move on what is done is done. Don't this people have anything else to do? Try putting all that passion into something that really matters.

Lynn, I understand why this pedestrian light was installed. The pedestrian light is a necessity for the safety of the pedestrians that cross Central Ave., that is not the "big deal." You ask what the big deal is. The big deal is the process that took place that moved this light from its original planned location of Central Ave. and Clover St. to it's current location. The original location that had been recommended by the Town of Westfield's consulting engineer. Over $123,000 was spent on this project. Knowing the intricacies of the issue has sparked the passion of a few, including the homeowner of the property where the light was located, neighbors, and myself. We don't argue that a pedestrian light was needed. Please don't suggest to othere to direct their passion towards something else if their current passion is getting to the bottom of the bigger issue here which is mismanagement of the process that took place which included the Mayor and town council with regards to this project. You ask if these people have anything else to do these days? The answer is yes but one of the things I have decided to do is to try and help one of my Westfield neighbors with this issue.

Can someone explain to me how a pedestrian operated light would work at the corner of Clover and Central? If I understand correctly, the pedestrian operated light would remain green on central until a button is pressed. Once pressed, the light would turn red and allow pedestrians to cross. If the light were moved to the corner of Clover and Central, how would the light turn green (without someone getting out of their car to press the button) in order to allow cars to turn onto Central Avenue from Clover? To my understanding, the only way for a light to be workable at the corner of Central and Clover would be to make it a "normal" light, not a pedestrian activated one.

I'm completely open to suggestions on how to make the situation acceptable for all involved. However, I do feel that there is a need for a safer way to cross Central avenue at (or around) that intersection.

The "Hawk System" which has been installed mid-block on Central Ave would work the same way at the intersection of Clover St and Central Ave, the location that was originally recommended by the Town of Westfield's consulting engineer, Gordon Meth. The lights remain dark until a pedestrian activates the signal in order to cross the roadway. When the button on the pole is pushed, the light flashes amber/yellow and then changes to a steady red, stopping Central Ave traffic and allowing the pedestrian to cross. Had this light been installed at the intersection of Clover and Central, it would still control north and southbound traffic on Central Ave. The stop sign already in place on Clover St would continue to require vehicles to come to a stop before making a left or right turn onto Central Ave. There is no need for anyone to exit a motor vehicle to activate the pedestrian light as it is manually activated by pedestrians. These pedestrian "Hawk" systems allow for traffic flow to continue sooner that a traditional red/green/yellow "Traffic" signal. If you Google "Hawk Pedestrian Light" you will find more information on this topic.

Also, once the pedestrian crosses the street, the red light stopping Central Ave traffic goes out and traffic proceeds on there way.

The key point to remember is the engineer made a suggestion as to the location of the placement of the light. Also if the light is placed on the corner of central and clover it is more dangerous for pedestrians to cross because there us the potential for cars to be making a right or left turn onto of off either road while the traffic is stopped and the pedestrian is trying to cross.

You make a valid point however, that is why there is a crossing guard assigned to the location just like at the intersection of Central and Sycamore.

THANK YOU Mayor for speaking up against the inaccurate facts surrounding the pedestrian light on Central Ave. As thought it was never meant to be located at the intersection of central ave and clover streets. It is and should remain at the location it was meant to be located. Let's move on shall we and turn the darn thing on already!

Lynn,

May I suggest that you attend the town council meeting on Tuesday night. For you to suggest the the pedestrian signal was "never meant to be located at the intersection of Central Ave and Clore St." is inaccurate. Even the Mayor would disagree with that statement as the original location was in fact, Central and Clover. It wasn't until after all the public meetings and recomendations of the non experts on the traffic safety advisory committee, that the light was moved to its current location at the town's request. The Mayor has stated to the public that this was a County project in an attempt to push the blame away from himself and the council when all along the influence of the town was evident. That will be revealed on Tuesday night, I can assure you. Either way, the safety of the children and other pedestrians that cross Central Ave will benefit from the installation of the light regardless of it's location.

To Lynn, If you haven't done so already, I suggest that you take a drive northbound from Clark into Westfield. Wait for the snow to melt so that you can actually see the white lines painted on the road. And, if you do this at night, all the better. Now, while doing so, imagine that you are not from Westfield and you've never been to Westfield and you know nothing of this particular traffic light controversy. Also, imagine that you know that you have to make a left turn somewhere in that general vicinity, as told to you by your friend who you are visiting somewhere in the Jefferson school vicinity. And, why not also assume you are a tiny bit (just a tiny bit) distracted by either (1) young children in the back seat making a lot of noise or (2) a radio talk show you are listening to or (3) thoughts of a party you are going to the following weekend, etc. As you approach this traffic light, you will also see white lines on the road just like any regular intersection. While lulled into your distractions, you can easily mistake those white lines for being part of a regular intersection. And, then you might just make a left turn into that street - but, it's not a street! It's someone's driveway. And, you can proceed to crash right into her garage and house - possibly even killing someone! I'VE LIVED IN WESTFIELD OVER 10 YEARS AND, SO FAR, I'VE NEARLY DRIVEN INTO THIS POOR WOMAN'S DRIVEWAY TWICE (!!!!). I KNOW OF MANY WESTFIELDERS WHO THINK THE LOCATION IS INSANE!

A lot of assumptions are being made in this conversation. I've driven on this road for many years both with and without snow banks and have never even come close to driving into this driveway.

The only issue at hand with this light is the person doesn't want it in front of their house because they feel it will reduce their property value. I wish we could focus on other issues such as school performance which affects more than just two residents.

Traffic lights should only be at intersections, not midway between them. As for the neighbors on Clover not wanting cars waiting on Clover at a red light - there is only one house on Clover, which is one block away from Central. Poor design, poor planning, poor judgement. When warning signs are needed telling motorists there is a traffic light around the corner, it's is a poor design!