Re: The Map Is Bigger Then Marsh Hill. -- Dracut Information Resource Forum

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Date Posted: 15:30:46 08/13/01 Mon
Author: Susan
Subject: Re: The Map Is Bigger Then Marsh Hill.
In reply to: Michael H 's message, "The Map Is Bigger Then Marsh Hill." on 10:17:51 08/13/01 Mon

Michael, correct me if I'm wrong, but you were not at our meeting with the Dracut Police, and suspect some of the information you are quoting is here say? I was at the meeting as well as organized the meeting. The information you read in the newspaper was subjective as it was reported by one individual making his/her own judgements. P.S. I thought Dennis did a fine job of representing our concerns in his article. We (Marsh Hill area residents) are acutely aware of the fact that we are not the only people having trouble with speed on our roads. In fact, I welcome anyone with constructive ideas to call me, so we can obtain ideas and exchange information. And although it wasn't printed in any of the articles regarding our meeting, we were very pleased our concerns were heard by Chief Panas and Officer Curtis. However, did anyone care to fill you in one a few facts. First of all we know Dracut is only accessible to Rt. 93 through several venues. One being Rt. 38, Rt. 110 & 113 and low and behold Marsh Hill Road to Methuen Street to Rt. 113. The road is not designed to safely handle this traffic. You were correct in your assumption that a lot of the cars that travel this "cut through" come from Southern New Hampshire as well as other parts of Dracut. But let me tell you they are not all my neighbors. I suspect many of the residents of this area do exceed the speed limit. And that community education of this fact wouldn't hurt. Were you informed of my hour survey (utlizing Dracut's radar machine)that showed some startling statistics. In one hour on a Tuesday during the middle of the summer, I recorded close to 300 hundred cars going by my house in both directions. In total 87% of the cars were exceeding the posted speed limit of 30mph. 96% of the cars coming off Rt. 113(as it was evening commute time) were speeding, with speeds recorded as high as 48mph. That was a good day. I suspect if the radar machine was left more than two days on our road, it would record some vehicles (motorcycles and muscle cars) going as fast as 65+ mph. So were not talking about an occasional jerk speeding by. Were talking well into the hundreds, maybe even a thousand people speeding. It's a really tough road to raise a young family on. Old Marsh Hill Road also feels the impact of this "cut through." So, we asked a lot of questions about road enhancements such as sidewalks and speedbump, all which the Dracut Police didn't feel were feasible. We made suggestions regarding radar surveillance systems which wasn't thoroughly addressed by Chief Panas. We made requests for increased patroling and being put on permanent rotation for the use of the radar machine. This, is indeed a start. However, we all agreed that enforcement is one of the ways to help curtail the speeding. If people are issued tickets time and again, it will eventually hurt their pockets and slow them down (hopefully). We also discussed community respect. If your going to complain about speeding in your own neighborhood, then darn you'd better note speed in anothers neighborhood. Personally, I am very cautious regarding my drving the posted speed limits thoughout our entire town. I take a lot of heat from impatient drivers irritated by my "slow" driving the posted speed limit. On my own road (Marsh Hill) I have been passed by cars going 50+ miles an hour. If I'm going 30 mph, they have to get up the speed to pass me on a no passing road! I have been nearly rear ended trying to pull into my driveway and my young children exposed to vulgar four letter words as I do pull in. I have had the rock wall in front of my home hit twice causing property damage do to people driving in excess speeds and losing control. We have had vandals shoot paint balls at our home and speed away so fast we couldn't even tell what type of car they were driving. These are just a few of the situations that have occured here. We realize there is no quick fix to this problem. And we are willing to work with the police, selectmen, town manager, any other state or local authorities to help evaluate the road and make suggestions on how to slow it down or make it safe for all the residents of this town. I have lived here over a decade and would like to be pro-active not reactive to this problem whic is increasing getting worse. With another proped subdivision of about 70 to 100 homes up here and with the potential green light for the proposed golf course, this situation is likely to get worse before it gets better. We welcome your ideas to a solution, and we did mention the idea of making the road one-way, or restrictions during certain time frames, both ideas that didn't meet with good reception. We will be following up with Chief Panas and Officer Curtis, as well as addressing our concerns with the Town Manager as well as the Selectmen. My hope is that we can develope a cohesive form of communication and mutual respect which will set an example for others in this town. It is my sincerest hope that this problem does not come to a climax due to a serious car collision or pedestrian fatality. There are dozens of children living in this area who deserve a safer quality of life!

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Replies:

Re: The Map Is Bigger Then Marsh Hill. -- Michael H, 09:31:15 08/14/01 Tue
- Re: The Map Is Bigger Then Marsh Hill. -- Susan, 10:11:22 08/14/01 Tue