Sandy Hook Resident Urges Flagpole Traffic Improvements 

By Andrew Gorosko

A Sandy Hook man is again urging that police take steps to resolve traffic-related problems that occur during daily commuter rush periods at the hazardous five-legged Main Street flagpole intersection.

Resident Ed Miklaszewski of 4 Chimney Swift Drive on October 4 told Police Commission members that he wants the town to post a traffic control officer at the Main Street flagpole during commuter rush periods on a two-month trial basis to learn whether such a measure would lessen traffic congestion problems there.

Mr Miklaszewski said that such a trial traffic control program would be relatively inexpensive.

Main Street, Church Hill Road and the two legs of West Street meet at the flagpole intersection, whose focus is an unprotected 100-foot-tall landmark flagpole. The intersection is a high-accident location. The intersection is controlled by stop signs on westbound Church Hill Road and on eastbound West Street. The intersection has multiple crosswalks.

Mr Miklaszewski reminded Police Commission members that he had urged traffic improvements at the flagpole intersection in 2008.

In March 2008, Mr Miklaszewski had asked commission members to hold a two-month trial to learn the effectiveness of having a police officer direct traffic flow at the flagpole during commuter rush periods to expedite traffic flow.

At that time, he had also suggested that the flagpole area be put under video surveillance to generate recorded visual evidence of traffic incidents. Also, he had suggested that signs noting the presence of video surveillance be posted in that area.

There have been accidents since March 2008 in that area, he said, adding, “We’ve wasted three years.”

Mr Miklaszewski said he understands the public opposition to installing traffic signals at the flagpole intersection for aesthetic reasons.

He told commission members that across the world, traffic control officers are employed to expedite traffic flow in congested areas during commuter rush periods.

 Mr Miklaslewski pointed out that in terms of a traffic control officer’s safety, the flagpole area is much better lit than Church Hill Road near St Rose Church, where a traffic agent regularly directs traffic during rush periods.

Of Mr Miklaszewski’s flagpole traffic improvement recommendation, Police Commission member Bruce Walczak said, “I like your suggestion.”

Mr Walczak has specialized in traffic issues while on the commission.

“We’ll consider it,” said Police Commission Chairman Duane Giannini.

Traffic problems at the flagpole intersection have been the subject of Police Commission discussion for many years.

Various traffic-flow changes for the area have been recommended by the public and by traffic consultants, but such changes have not been implemented.