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The board held a public hearing earlier this week to garner feedback on a proposed local law that would amend the town code and restrict commercial vehicles from the entire length of the thoroughfare known for its hills, and twists and turns.
“We do have a problem with large commercial vehicles,” said Kitchawan resident John Goodman. “We had a truck stuck there for hours. They don’t fit. So a school bus got stuck behind it. I don’t know where the idea (to ban commercial traffic) came from, but it’s a great idea.”
Supervisor Peter Parsons said he’s been pushing the idea for a long time, but needed to get cooperation from neighboring Pound Ridge. Kitchawan Road connects Route 123 in South Salem with Route 124 in Pound Ridge.
“We recently got Pound Ridge’s cooperation,” Parsons said. “One day, they just up put the (No Commercial Traffic) sign up at their end of the road.”
There will be some exceptions to the law. Vehicles owned or leased by Kitchawan residents, vehicles delivering or rendering services to Kitchawan residents, vehicles on town or school district business, and emergency vehicles will all be allowed.
The Town Board passed the measure unanimously.
Kitchawan residents said the commercial vehicle restriction was just the first step in making the road safer. They said speeding is often a problem on the rural road and requested that the Town Board reach out to the police department and ask that officers monitor the road more closely.
“It seems that I look out my window and watch accidents happen on a daily basis,” said one resident.
Residents also noted that there is no stop sign at the intersection of Kitchawan Road and Route 123. Parsons said he would notify the highway department and have the situation remedied as soon as possible.
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