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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1950-07-11 Board of Selectmen MinutesJULY 14 19~0~ SPzC~AL ~TING: ; The Beard.of Salectoen held a special meeting at whi~ch Corporal Joseph Lynch of.thc Sta~e Police,' Andover Barracks, Mr. Curry of the Dept. of Public i'~crks, Beverly, Francis j. $'Brien, Supt. of Schools, Milton HOward, Principal of the new Kittredge School and Chief of Police Alfred H. McKee attended.' Mr. Thomson addressed those present and stated that this meeting was the result cfa communication sent ~o Commissioner ~. Stokes in an attempt to secure assistance from the .State Police on Chickering Highway, particularly in September when the new school opens. Mr. Thomson felt tha~ various angles could be discussed but he understood that that t~e State Police force was limited. Corporal Lynch stated that they now had 12 men. Mr. Thomson felt that they had an extensive territory to cover but if we could have some assistance and with our own police .force, we ought to concentrate on a plan with ~eference to the opening of schools. Mr. 0'Brien stated that the High School opens at 8:00 A.M. and .the Ktttredge at about 8:15 A.M., so that if attention were given between 8:00 and 8:30 A.M. it would take care of all the children at Main and Chickering Road. He said that about 80 or 90 would be crossing on foot. Mr. 0'Brian s~Ated that the children get out at 11:45 A.M. and go'back at 1:00 P.M; then closing would be from 2:00 to 2:30 P.M. Mr. Howard st~ted~.that they,plan t¢' have two patrol 'leaders ~t' this location at all times and there would be no crossing except at Main Street. Mr. O'Brien inquired about the lights being operated by a button and wondered what would be tbs best way to take. care of this.. Mr. '. Howard said he also had that in mind 'and would like to have the opinion of the State Police., Chief McKee ~teted that he had figured on having a man with the children at all times except in case of an emergen6y 'and there will amso be patroI' leaders. Mr.. NCKee said he .could change, the officers starting time so that he would be available each morning from 8:00 to 8:30 A.M. Corporal Lynch stated that in the norma2 course of routine patrol, his men go out at 6:00 A&M. and he would arrange to have a man at this location e~ery day if possible at the' hours when the children are coming out of school al~though -there may be 'times when. they will 'not be able to be there at all but he felt that with the local' police and leaders it would work out satisfactorily. CSrporal Lynch stated that the first part of September his men are detailed to three or four men from each station but after September he would be more apt to work out this system. His man would patrol 'the road on el.~hcr side of the road while locaA officers and leaders are there. In answer to a question by Mr. Thomson relative to patrolling this road at other times. Corporal Lynch said he couid see no reason why they would not be there at various times. They have to go to Haverhill, Reading and the New Hampshire line but theywould not be able to be there for any length of~time. His men will . give more attention to this part of .the road. Mr. O'Brien felt ~this was a big contribution from the State Police and-the people will get' used to seeing the State Police in this area. .Mt.at sddTh°ms°ntimes.felt that we would gradually educate the motorists to drive carefully Mr. Curry explained to the meeting about the lights being operated by hand. He said that it is 50 second cycle time and a walking signal would .be once every cycle and if someone wanted to cross they must wait for a cycle and it' cannot be manned by hand, otherwise cars would be tied up~ probably a hundred at a time. Mr. ~offin inquired if an officer supersedes the lights and Mr. Curry said-that they did. There was further discussion about, the children crossing the road and Mr. Coffin said he thought that the children who are parrs1 leaders should be acquainted with the lights and know what to expect. Corporal Lynch mentioned a banking which is quite high on Ch~ckaring Road and thought that if children wore permitted to play there 'they might run down the bank and a motorist would have no chance at all. At some points you can't even see the school building. Mr'G'Brien'said"they planned to have a~fence erected. Corporal Lynch.reviowed the hours and told.those.present that he cannot have his men give a permanent post as the personnel is limited and there would he many complaints if one man were left here for one specific purpose and ~he same in other places, there would'be no time for regular police work. Mr. Curry said he would check ~'..ith themaintenance department and see if a side- walk can be installed there. -" Chief McKee said he took Mr. Curry up to the Thatched Roof where there is a bad condition and Mr. Curry agreed that there should be a stop sign. He said all the signs are pretty well set with the exception of one which will be erected very soon. Mr. Curry advised Mr.Q.Rrien to send not to the Beverly office and have the line sta~ed before the fence is erected.