Honesdale committees to consider stop sign on Ridge Street

Some of the Honesdale Borough council members in June expressed agreement that a stop sign is needed about halfway down the hill on Ridge Street, at the junction with Vine Street.

The matter, raised by Ridge Street resident Joseph J. Mele, was referred to the Streets and Public Safety committees for further discussion.

Mele described how the corner property at 421 Ridge St. juts out, which further obscures the line of sight from Vine Street. He suggested that a stop sign at that point heading north on Ridge would make motorists stop where they cannot easily see traffic coming off Vine.

Furthermore, traffic goes too fast down Ridge, he observed, and there is a lot of traffic, especially after school. Drivers trying to turn right or left onto Ridge, coming off Vine, must go at least six feet before seeing if any vehicle is coming down Ridge from the direction of the high school.

"There have been many occasions of very close calls," Mele said, whether turning from Ridge onto Vine or from Vine onto Ridge.

Mele said the 25 mph speed limit on Ridge does not work and suggested either a stop sign or a blinking caution light at that junction to slow the traffic.

Councilor David Nilsen said he liked the idea of a stop sign but is concerned residents in the area would be upset. He asked Mele if he talked to the residents; Mele had not.

Councilor James Hamill said 421 was his childhood home. "I think it would be prudent to find out more from the neighborhood, but I can attest that each and every person agrees with your point of view. It is a very dangerous intersection there. There have been children hit there, back when I was growing up there as well."

Council President Michael Augello said he did not think council could ask Mele to canvass the neighborhood. Augello agreed a sign was needed. He said there are also hedges at the corner of the 421 property that block the view, but is not clear on the borough's rights to address it.

Secretary Judy Poltanis said it needs to go to committee and the official rules and regulations from PennDOT will have to be followed.

Councilor William McCallister, who said he strongly favors Mele's recommendation, referred the suggestion to the Streets and Public Safety committees and traffic engineer for review.

Among other items

Sentimental benches

The council agreed to offer the old park benches for sale. The benches, which have been replaced, were found to not have any financial value. Poltanis said that they were too low, and it would cost more to build a platform to reuse them.

These are the wood slat benches that were painted green and could be moved about.

Hamill said he thinks there are about a dozen and suggested that some people might have sentimental value attached to them, such as a "first date" sitting on a bench or having been married in the park. Solicitor Richard Henry suggested placing an advertisement for offers on the benches before the July 16 council meeting. Henry said that since the Borough has no use for them, this is a way they can save on having to discard the benches.

In Hamill's motion, he said that the funds can be used for other park projects, "and provide people with a piece of Honesdale history."

Auto sales

The conditional use for Route 6 Auto Sales was approved, with several conditions. Chad Weigelt has opened the business at 126 Grandview Ave. (Route 6), across from B&B Dodge. Used autos are sold and repaired. No more than five vehicles may be parked outside for sale at any one time. Weigelt also has cars for sale parked just down the hill at 260 Willow Ave., the location of the former Nonnenmacher's service station that later became a Subway restaurant.

Dog park

Bids were opened for design work of the planned dog park at Apple Grove Park. Woodland Design's bid of $20,500 was accepted.

Honesdale council has changed its regular monthly meeting date to the third Monday of the month at 6 p.m. at City Hall, 958 Main St.

This article originally appeared on Tri-County Independent: Honesdale: Ridge Street man expresses concerns, asks for stop sign