GREENFIELD — The irony was that as local officials and residents discussed how to improve safety on city streets, there was a city councilor missing from the discussion.
Douglas Mayo earlier in the day was struck by a car and injured in a hit-and-run on Federal Street — a timely case-in-point for the discussion by the city’s Sustainable Greenfield Implementation Committee which was discussing ideas to improve recreation and transportation in the city.
According to Mayo, he was hit as he was crossing Federal Street Thursday, resulting in broken ribs and soft tissue injuries.
City Councilor Otis Wheeler spoke about the accident during the meeting that night, as well as Wheeler’s father being hit by a vehicle on Federal Street, and another resident’s friend killed after being hit on the street. Wheeler questioned what could be done about safety on the road.
Planning Board and SGIC member George Touloumtzis said that Greenfield has options to address the issue through the Complete Streets Program, a state-funded program that aims to improve safety for all types of travel on city streets. These include widening bicycle lanes, installing sidewalk bump-outs and other roadway modifications.
In addition to Federal Street safety, residents also questioned the shortcomings of public transit. One resident complained buses do not travel to many of the city’s parks, including the Green River Swimming and Recreation Area, and according to Director of Public Works Don Ouellette, to the new John Zon Community Center.
Others noted that many bicyclists and motorists don’t share the road safely. Some suggested the city educate the public about sharing roads.
“Both drivers and cyclists need to follow the rules for the road,” Touloumtzis said.
Touloumtzis also discussed improving access in the city for bicycle and pedestrian travel.
Another member of the panel, Greenfield Recreation Director Christy Moore, noted various events sponsored by her department, including the Riverside Blues, Brews and Barbeques and the Independence Day fireworks. She also discussed improving park safety in the city.
Another resident suggested improved access around Poet’s Seat Tower, specifically providing access to the tower from a location other than Mountain Road.
A third panel discussion is expected Thursday, May 24, at 114 Main St., beginning at 7 p.m.
You can reach
Dan Desrochers at:
ddesrochers@recorder.com
413-772-0261 ext. 257