Stretch of Road
Is Really Lethal

I ask you to consider the following evidence of need for the 25 MPH ordinance on the 2/10 of a mile of Bethel Mountain Road that enters the Rochester village.

The present 30 MPH speed limit on Bethel Mountain Road is the same limit set for Rte. 100 in the village, a different class and wider road with enough shoulder space for cars to park between traffic lanes and the curbed sidewalk, and where the buildings are set much further back.

On the stretch of road in question there are nine houses with main entrances within 5-10 feet of the road, and eight blind driveways. Additionally, Brook Street empties into this narrow bottleneck with only a Yield sign to slow and caution drivers.

In the 13 years living here, I've observed that drivers tend to look east for traffic coming off the mountain, not towards the village for pedestrians, delivery vehicles, or blind driveways.

Since living here I have lost a dog and a cat; and last summer my daughter's dog was hit by a car as it took a single step backwards from the sidewalk, a small action that could easily be taken by a young child.

Last year a car drove into the concrete footing of my house that once defined my driveway. Additionally, cars have run into four other houses on this stretch of road. Also, numerous cars have bounced off the guardrail above the property sandwiched between Brook Street and Bethel Mountain Road, which is very vulnerable to speeding vehicles coming off the mountain.

There is no curb or shoulder to separate the cars from the pedestrians. Observation shows that most cars passing pedestrians on this road tend to veer into the oncoming lane due to the uncomfortable closeness of the road to people on the sidewalk.

Pedestrians pass by at all hours, and many are children and elders, often with animals in tow. Across the street from me live John and Dian Roberts. Both are legally blind, and Mr. Roberts is deaf. Three other elderly neighbors living on this road ambulate with great difficulty, and one uses a motorized scooter to get into the village. Everyone crossing the road and using the sidewalk, but especially the young, elderly, and disabled, deserves the consideration and safety of a 25 MPH speed limit, at which a car can easily stop when necessary.

Information documented in an engineering study by John Mansfield and a traffic study of this road, completed by Charles Wise of Two Rivers Ottauquechee Regional Commission, show that over 1,000 cars drive daily through this stretch and 76.2% of the traffic exceeded the 30 MPH limit. There is a clear need for greater law enforcement. The tendency to exceed the limit under the existing road conditions portends disaster. The select board, which has the best interests of the town in mind, agreed.

The towns of Randolph, Bethel, and Woodstock have set and enforce 25 MPH speed limits throughout their villages. Tickets and warnings are issued so that the will of the town is understood and honored. Rochester can too.

I thank considerate drivers for adhering to the 25 MPH limit, and for respecting the people who live and walk in this neighborhood.

Kathryn Schenkman

Rochester