On September 18, 2012, during open public comment of the Westfield Town Council Meeting, Central Ave. resident Maria Carluccio approached the microphone to address the members of the town council on the ongoing issue of the HAWK pedestrian light crossing at the cul-de-sac'd intersection of Central & Cambridge.
When Mrs. Carluccio makes reference to Westfield requesting the location of the HAWK light, Mayor Andy Skibitsky interrupts and proceeds to perpetuate a lie once again. Mayor Skibitsky claims that it was Union County that decided the location of the light. Mayor Skibitsky has continued to perpetuate this lie and push blame on Union County.
TFoTM has obtained a copy of a letter sent to resident Adina Enculescu, from Union County engineer Tom Mineo that clearly states the following in the second paragraph: "According to Administrative Code (133-12), the County's role is to install traffic signals on county roads when requested to do so by a municipality. Westfield requested the installation and location of the light in question."
I believe what is happening here is that the Mayor is 'technically' correct. The town of Westfield was going to install the light closer to the intersection, but after the county reviewed the request the light was moved to its current location due to traffic specifications. So yes, the county placed the light in the current location, but only due to Westfield's mistake. The mayor is not lying, but he certainly hiding behind this semantic word play. The town did not want the light at the intersection.
ReplyDeleteWestfield's consulting engineer (Gordon Meth) had placed the light between two driveways which was approximately 88 feet from the corner of Clover St. The county picked up the mistake on review and cited the MUTCD (Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices) that mandates the pedestrian light be located a minimum of 100 feet from the intersection. At that point the town had a choice to put it back to the intersection, where its own consultant had originally recommended it be, or move it further down the road and in front of Adina Enculescu's house ultimately turning her driveway into an intersection. At no point did the town advise her of this new plan. Mayor Skibitsky continues to avoid the truth and that is that Westfield requested the mid-block location of the pedestrian crossing and at no point did they notify the homeowner of the amended plan.
DeleteWhen is his royal highness, Mayor Skibitsky's, term as Mayor, over?
ReplyDeleteAt the end of 2013.
DeleteWhat is the big party near Manor Park tonight? Sign says "welcome to Councilman LoGrippo"--street closed, lots of music and lights strung everywhere.
ReplyDeleteAn annual event known as Octoberfest. The "block party" is hosted by two families and has attracted family, friends, and neighbors to the event. In recent years invited guests wear wristbands to gain access into the party due to the event's growing popularity which frequently has attracted "party crashers". The LoGrippo sign may very well be a tribute to Westfield's third ward Republican Councilman Mark LoGrippo.
Deletefreeholders in the last county meeting note that another hawk light is to be installed at Lord and Taylor. (although tuttle pkwy appears as the latest danger zone)
ReplyDeleteWhy cant the hawk light be tweaked and always be green and then change when a button is pushed so drivers are aware there is a traffic light at these locations?...instead of suddenly faced with a signal where it was dark just seconds ago.
The HAWK light does not utilize the color green, if it did it would be a standard traffic light which was originally recommended at the intersection of Central & Clover. The HAWK light to be installed at Lord & Taylor is for mid block crossings where the nearest intersection crossing is several hundred feet away. That is why a HAWK light at Lord & Taylor makes common sense. Common sense got thrown out the window when Mayor Skibitsky allowed politics to enter the decision of the Central Ave HAWK light location. Why else do you think he had Cambridge road cul-de-sac'd? The closing of Cambridge Rd was for the prevention of cut through traffic in the event that a standard traffic light had been installed at the intersection of Clover and Central. Skibitsky allowed Cambridge to be closed despite the fact that a standard light was no going to be installed at the intersection because had he not, residents could have questioned why he chose one intersection over the other for the HAWK and politics would have been clearly the issue. At least with the closing of Cambridge, Mayor Skibitsky can continue his charade that the current location at the "man made" mid block crossing is the safest despite expert reports contradicting the Mayor's claim.
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