Village to apply for county grant to do traffic study

Warwick — There is no escaping it. As more houses are built, more cars are on the roads. And, while 40 years ago it was common to be a “one-car family,” now it is more likely to be a “three-car family.” Which is one reason that the Village of Warwick will apply for a grant from the Orange County Planning Department to do a traffic study of the village. Traffic is a key issue in the village, and throughout Orange County for that matter. Warwick Mayor Michael Newhard said he probably gets a letter a week concerning traffic issues. He had suggested either applying for a grant for a parking study or a traffic study. Trustee George McManus jumped on the traffic study. “I like the traffic study,” said McManus. “Traffic and parking are definite issues for us,” said Trustee Eileen Patterson. “But I agree with George. Traffic is a priority.” In just the last few months the village has approved installation of stop signs in three different locations, most at the request of residents to help slow traffic. In February, the board gave its okay to install stop signs at on South Street where it intersects with Park Place and Third Street, eventually making that a four-way stop. More recently, the board said yes to installing stop signs on Howe and Factory Streets near Jones Chemical. Just this week, the board gave the go-ahead to install stop signs on Locust Street at the intersection of Woodside Drive. (Related story appears on page XX.) Some of the other intersections causing concern include the one at Maple and Colonial Avenues and Main Street. Pedestrian traffic here is especially hard to manage, according to Patterson, as well as cars exiting Key Bank. “As we add stop signs, more and more people are calling asking for them,” said Patterson. “We have had requests in the past for Grand Street, coming from Pine Island Turnpike. Any traffic calming device, we’ll consider.” Patterson said that before they go further, she would like to get an expert in to give any other suggestions. “I’d like to talk to a consultant and see if we’re heading in the right direction,” she said. “A lot of it is traffic coming out of the town and into the village. If the town is interested in doing the same, they can apply for this grant as well.” Newhard said he will speak to Town of Warwick Supervisor Michael Sweeton and the mayors of Florida and Greenwood Lake, Jim Pawliczek and Barbara Moore, to see if they would like to combine efforts and do one study for the entire town. The grant is for $10,000 per municipality and the deadline is Aug. 15. Last year, the village applied for and received the $10,000 planning grant, which was used for a study by a park planner for Veterans Memorial Park.