Date: Fri 10-May-1996

Publication: Bee

Author: ANDYG

Quick Words:

Police-Commission-driveway

Full Text:

Police Commission Decides Not To Move NHS Driveway

B Y A NDREW G OROSKO

After discussion, Police Commission members have endorsed the school board's

plans to leave Newtown High School's driveway where it is, although the state

Department of Transportation (DOT) has recommended that the driveway be moved

210 feet to the north to improve traffic flow at the intersection of Route 34

and Mile Hill Road.

School officials attended a Police Commission meeting May 7 to discuss the

placement of the driveway as part of an expansion project at Newtown High

School. The DOT had reviewed traffic on Route 34 in connection with the

expansion project. The Police Commission serves as the town's traffic

authority.

Steve Ullman, a traffic planner for the school expansion project, said moving

the driveway would: steepen it; adversely affect planned parking on the high

school grounds; and impair pedestrian circulation there.

The town's fire marshal and building inspector have told school officials that

more parking is needed at the high school, so the expansion project calls for

the addition of 135 parking spaces.

Dick Webb, a landscape planner for the high school expansion, said moving the

driveway 210 feet to the north would result in a straight driveway, posing

pedestrian safety questions. Motorists would travel faster on a straighter,

steeper driveway, Mr Ullman said.

"We really didn't anticipate moving the driveway," said Herb Rosenthal, the

school board chairman. The driveway's been at its current location for 27

years, he said. He pointed out that the school driveway was there before the

state rebuilt the intersection of Route 34 and Mile Hill Road.

School officials estimate it would cost $200,000 or more to relocate the

driveway.

Police Commission member Robert Connor, Jr, asked whether a new driveway for

the high school could be built somewhere other than 210 feet north of the

existing driveway.

Mr Webb responded there's no other feasible place to put such a driveway.

Mr Ullman pointed out that the DOT's recommendation for a new driveway is

based upon what would improve traffic flow on Route 34, and doesn't address

internal vehicle and pedestrian circulation on the high school property.

James Reilly, a Police Commission member, suggested that the commission work

with the school board and DOT up until the commission's June meeting and then

decide on the driveway placement matter.

Mr Connor urged that the driveway remain where it is.

Police Commission members then unanimously endorsed leaving the driveway in

its current location. As the town's traffic authority, the commission has the

last word on driveway placement.

Police Training

In another matter at the Police Commission meeting, Acting Police Chief

Michael Fekete said 21 of the police department's officers received 40 hours

of new training in police procedures during the past three months.

Such training is required every three years so that the police stay certified

as law enforcement officers.

In 1997 and 1998, other officers will receive the training sessions to stay

current with police procedures, Chief Fekete said.

Patrolman Christopher Vanghele recently received two weeks of detective school

training, the chief added.

Also, Patrolmen Philip Hynes and Douglas Wisentaner received training in the

tenets of community policing in a program conducted by the Danbury Police

Department at Western Connecticut State University.

In another matter, Patrolmen Christopher Vadas and Robert Haas explained their

redesign of police car markings for patrol unit cars.

In redesigning the markings, they sought to make the cars more visible when

they are being used to block roads in emergencies, Patrolman Vadas said.

The design seeks to make the cars more visible, yet stays in keeping with the

town's Colonial heritage, Patrolman Haas said.

Police Commission Chairman Carol Mattegat asked the patrolmen to develop

specific cost information on their design.

Chief Fekete said that although there is no money in the 1996-97 town budget

for redesigned markings for police cars, he likes the idea of improving the

cars' visibility. The designs will be depicted on the cars in light-reflective

tape and decals.

Also, Police Commission members designated approximately $19,000 in drug

assets forfeiture funds for the future construction of a new police radio

antenna on Reservoir Road. The new antenna system is intended to improve the

reach of the police's two-way radio network.

Chief Fekete said the new radio equipment likely will cost more than $19,000.

"It's probably going to be a little more than that. It's start," he said.

Due to topographical conditions, there are some places in town where the

two-way radios don't function.