1997-07-15
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C)ft\J July 15, 1997
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Supervisor Constance Smith
Town ofWappingers Government Offices
20 Middlebush Road
Wappingers Falls, New York 12590
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Re: Traffic situation on Kent Road
Dear Connie:
It's 8:15 PM Thursday evening, July 10th, and 3 cars go speeding up Kent Road. One half hour prior, it appeared
that 2 cars were dragging down the road, with 2 cars parallel to one another (on Kent) heading in the same direction.
Its Tuesday, July 15th at 11:30 AM, and 2 cars literally rocket up Kent Road!
I would estimate that there are between 400 hundred and 800 moving violations occur on Kent each and every day.
Yet, I have not seen tickets issued for the last 6 months, despite a couple of serious accidents caused by speeding. Let
me explain:
1. About half the cars never come to a complete stop at the only stop sign on Kent. ( Lets be low and say only 250 )
The cars look to see if a cop is there as they roll thru the stop sign.
2. Between 200 and 300 cars take the liberty to travel at excessive speeds on Kent. (this estimate may be low)
3. A significant number of vehicles cross the yellow line on Kent Rd, either near Sachson, Lake Oniad Drive (near
the disabled home), near 62 Kent and just above 66 Kent Road. I have never seen anyone stopped for this reason.
Part of the reason is because of speed the cars travel at; a little is because of bad driving.
Even the Mercedes that crashed through my mailbox at 64 Kent, and proceeded to spin around in my driveway can
be seen regularly moving at high speeds on this road.
Last month, a vehicle ended up in our backyard. Ten seconds later, and the neighbors next door would have been
seriously hurt; two minutes later, and my wife would have been involved in a major collision as a Cadillac ended up
in the backyard, after wiping out a mailbox, a large tree, and another vehicle.
Connie, I need to know what you are going to do to resolve this situation. Placing a patrol car near Baldwin is
ineffective; the police patrols will not catch many speeders here, since the spot is well known to people inclined to
drive fast. I have offered the use of 24 Kent, 64 Kent and 74 Kent in the past; town police patrols can use these
driveways as needed. I'd be happy to speak to Butch Anderson about using these driveways. The sheriffs deputies
are willing to use residents driveways. The hold-up, as I understand it, rests with objections from the Town of
Wappingers government. In addition, I am willing to work with you and the Town Board to address this situation.
Kent Road remains dangerous; the local Town of Wappingers government needs to do something to resolve this
problem, even if it means placing stop signs at every intersection. (pippin, Cady, Sachson, Central & Lake Oniad.
The Dutchess County sheriffs office suggested this.) I sincerely believe that the town has a major liability if an
accident does occur and the town government decides to defer action on Kent Road.. The town has 100% jurisdiction
in this_matter; the DOT is not involved, since Kent is a town road. (confirmed by Steve Saland's office last year and
again iast week.)
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I would appreciate a response from your office, preferably in writing within 10 calendar days, offering actions that
will permanently address the speed problems on Kent.
Thank you for your time and consideration. As always, I am willing to get whatever signatures are necessary to use
drivewaysfls speed trapS'g'fn essary. .,
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Edward Wisniewski
64 Kent Road
Wappingers Falls, NY. 12590
(914) 298 - 8061
cc: To file (sent certified, return receipt requested ).
66 Kent Road
24 Kent Road
74 Kent Road
Joe Ruggerio 26 Doyle Drive