With two serious accidents occurring around the same location in just over a month, Tom McCrady, a concerned citizen, is putting his worries in the hands of City Council.
McCrady spoke at Monday night's City Council meeting, to discuss the possibility of putting a crosswalk on Washington Street. Currently, there is no place for pedestrians to safely cross between 10th Street and Tops.
"What I'm suggesting is, if the council could keep in touch with the state about getting something done with crosswalks or assume the authority for your town to be able to put crosswalks," McCrady said.
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Tom McCrady
Two accidents have recently occurred near 13th Street. In one instance, a 43-year-old man was killed. In another, a 14-year-old sustained a serious leg injury.
McCrady has already written a letter to the state, which, according to Greg Rabb, City Council president, is the correct first step.
"He has taken it to the state, which is the appropriate thing to do, because it is a state route. We're just waiting on the report from the state, because they have to look into it and see if it fits their criteria in order to put in crosswalks. At this point, while I certainly share his concern about people being injured - or even worse, killed - we can't do anything until we hear back from the state, so we have to wait," Rabb said.
McCrady asked that drivers take caution, especially around 13th Street, as there is a skate park which is frequented by area youths.
"There's no need to be tearing down the street, hitting people, killing people or injuring them, just to get to the next light," McCrady said.
Also at Monday's meeting, City Council approved a resolution authorizing Mayor Sam Teresi to enter into a water and sewer agreement with the Town of Kiantone provided by the City of Jamestown through the Board of Public Utilities.
"This is an agreement that has gone through the Board of Public Utilities. It is for select households that have been on our water system," said Vince DeJoy, D-Ward 4.
There are some households in the Town of Kiantone that currently have utilities through the BPU. Rabb explained this agreement ensures the city will retain those customers.
"It's just for certain people who had been our customers, to continue to be our customers, without anybody extending it to anyone else without our permission," Rabb said.
City Council also approved a resolution for the formation of a Neighborhood Watch Committee in the vicinity of Newton, Bowen, Falconer and Winsor streets. It also authorized the Director of Public Works to place Neighborhood Watch signs in the area.
"These type of initiatives lead to overall community wellness," said Stephen Szwejbka, I-Ward 1.
Rabb said that although he does not think this is a bad area, he believes any problems will be alleviated with neighbors watching.
"We've almost had a mini-explosion of neighborhood watches over the last year or so, and that's very consistent with the neighborhood plan. The only way we can turn neighborhoods around is if the people in the neighborhood want to band together and do it. I'm excited that they took another step tonight," Rabb said.