Increased truck traffic could impact local roads
Cornwall Borough Council members discussed the conditions of the borough streets Monday, with some expressing concerns that several of the current roads cannot adequately handle an increase in automobile and truck traffic that may occur if developments on drawing boards are completed.
In response to a plea made by Councilman Tony Fitzgibbons at last month's meeting, this month's borough council agenda became a discussion on whether council wanted to direct the borough's planning commission to evaluate a no truck ordinance for Miner's Village and Rexmont Road.
Miner's Village has rows of centuryold stone houses on both sides of Boyd Street where iron ore miners once lived. When current residents' cars are parked along the curb on both sides of the street, there is only enough roadway for two cars to pass through.
Fitzgibbons said he does not want truck traffic or a large amount of car traffic in the future to make the village unsafe.
Rob Anspach, a resident of Miner's Village, told council members an official sign is already posted along Boyd Street forbidding trucks over a certain size to drive through the village. It was not mentioned at the meeting whether an ordinance was passed in the past for the placement of the sign.
Truck drivers do not know that truck traffic is not permitted through the village until they have turned off Route 322 onto Boyd Street, resident Jeff Bamberger said. He added that it is a challenge for the drivers to turn their rigs around after seeing the sign, so most drivers probably proceed through Miner's Village.
Council members agreed to ask the planning commission to review this situation and make a recommendation to borough officials.
Fitzgibbons also recommended that Council does not approve any development projects that may direct additional traffic onto Iron Valley until it is known whether a section of Iron Valley Drive will remain privatelyowned or will be made a public road.
Julie Bowman, a member of Iron Valley Homeowners Association No. 1, explained that a section of the street is owned by owners of designated properties along Iron Valley Drive, closest to its intersection with Boyd Street. Another portion of the street, from Rexmont Road to a point beyond the Iron Valley Golf Course, is owned by the owners of the golf course.
When this arrangement was made with certain property owners in Iron Valley Estates, an upscale wooded development, it was agreed that vehicles traveling to and from the golf course would be permitted to use the section of the road owned by the HOA, however there is nothing to stop non- golfers using the road to travel from Boyd Street to Rexmont Road.
The HOA pays annual payments for liability insurance for the road and pays property taxes for the road, Bowman said. The Iron Valley Homeowners Association No. 1 prefers to maintain it as a private drive rather than dedicate ownership to the borough. Bowman added when a discussion about the road occurred many years ago, it was said that certain improvements would need to be made to the road before the borough would agree to assume ownership.
Other business
Council members also agreed to have a traffic study done on Culvert Street, at a cost of $600, to determine the amount of traffic use on the road. If the usage on the road that connects Cornwall Road to Whitman Road is determined to be less than 500 vehicles per day, the borough can apply for state funds to make improvements.
A communication received from the
Lebanon Community Library noted that a "Storytime Explorers" event will be held at the library on Saturday, Feb, 17 at 11 a.m. Students from the Cedar Crest High School Key Club will read stories about animals, do craft projects and play games with children. The activities will be most enjoyable to children in the 3 to 7 age group, but everyone is welcome. Free registration can be made by calling 717-2737624 or by email to children@lcilibs.org.