The Middle School Traffic Snarl

To the Editor:

Is anyone getting tired of waiting to exit the middle school after dropping off your child, like we all are exiting a concert that we just enjoyed! Or how about those of you, like me, who have to decide which child to drop off first, your high schooler or middle schooler, to decide who will get the tardy this time? Better yet, do you wonder why our traffic control officer leaves the middle school to go patrol the traffic at St Rose private school? Why are my taxes paying for transportation and traffic patrollers at a private school? Or better yet, why does he leave when children are still trying to cross the exit driveway, when it is so dangerous with people frantically trying to get to work on time after sitting for so long.

I have called many times to the Newtown Police to make a change. The Newtown police are trying a new sign that only allows right turns when exiting the middle school. It got posted the last week in April. This would allow all the cars to leave the parking lot, without waiting for those of you who make all of us wait, as you turn left. This is the reason the traffic comes to a complete stop all the way around, if you observe it. There are other routes to get to that part of town. Observing the right turn only, will keep the traffic flowing, so people can actually pull in to drop off their child.

Can everyone please take notice of the sign and let’s see if we can get out quicker, burn less gas, and get the kids to school on time? If this doesn’t work, they will then look at actually having a traffic controller finish the job of controlling the traffic, so I’ve been told.

If you are frustrated with this situation as well, speak up to the police department, and lets change it. With the taxes we pay, someone should be able to figure this out!

Cheryl Arend

14 Castle Hill Road, Newtown                                      April 26, 2011