BRISTOL — The town will schedule a public hearing to consider limiting a section of Danforth Brook Road to one-way traffic based on a safety complaint from two residents of Hall Road.
Police Chief James McIntire brought the suggestion to the Bristol Board of Selectmen on Oct. 1 after residents Gary Robinson and Rick Alpers complained about visibility and speed at the intersection of Hall and Danforth Brook roads. Mcintire said a dip in the road, guardrails, and overgrown brush make it difficult for those on Hall Road to see whether there is oncoming traffic and, even if they come to a complete stop and look, a westbound vehicle that is speeding along Danforth Brook Road may appear as the Hall Road vehicle is pulling out.
McIntire’s proposal is to limit the section of Danforth Brook Road between the Hall Road and Peaked Hill Road intersections to eastbound traffic only. He said he had spoken to two of the 11 residents living along that expanse of highway and they agreed that it would be only a minor inconvenience if they were heading toward downtown Bristol. The resident closest to the Hall Road intersection would have to travel an extra 0.4 mile, McIntire said.
Highway Superintendent Mark Bucklin commented of the plan, “I think we’re inconveniencing a lot of people to benefit a few who don’t want to stop.”
Selectman J.P. Morrison agreed, saying he didn’t think it was an issue.
Wayne Anderson, chair of the Bristol Board of Selectmen, said he was “all for” giving it a try, but Vice-Chair Don Milbrand suggested talking with the rest of the Danforth Brook Road residents first, and Selectman Les Dion suggested holding a public hearing before making the change.
The selectmen agreed to send letters to the affected residents with return envelopes for their replies before proceeding with a public hearing on the matter.
Meanwhile, Bucklin said he planned to shim up Hall Road with money that will not need to be encumbered for the town’s sewer project.
Sunset Heights
Selectmen unanimously approved an $18,000 plowing contract with Hall’s Excavation, Inc., for winter maintenance of Sunset Heights, a formerly private road that the town has taken over.
Bucklin said the one-year contract will give the town time to purchase the additional equipment necessary to maintain the road. Hall’s has been maintaining the road, and the new contract is based on the average of the last three years’ plowing cost.
