To the Editor:
I recently learned the selectmen might consider removal of the stop sign at Main and Greenwood Streets in Vineyard Haven.
I attended the Vineyard Haven library’s strategic-planning meeting several years ago when the initial discussions took place regarding pedestrian safety in the area of the library. Participants at the meeting expressed concern for the seniors who live in the 29 apartments at Havenside, and the seniors’ ability to cross Main Street at Crocker Avenue to go to the library. Because of a significant bend in Main Street at the intersection of Woodlawn and Main, visibility of the Crocker and Main intersection is compromised. Once vehicles made the turn and noticed sometimes slow-moving pedestrians crossing at Crocker, they had very little time to come to a stop. Three significant accidents occurred in this area between 2009 and 2013, the last one taking out an entire section of wooden fence at 172 Main Street.
The situation was compounded by a second problem: Once vehicles passed the Woodlawn curve, the street became wider and straighter, encouraging drivers to increase their speed. With no stop sign at Greenwood, cars, buses, and large trucks would “floor it” starting at the Woodlawn intersection, and continuing all the way to West Chop.
Today, the stop sign at Woodlawn gives drivers more time to focus on any pedestrians crossing Main Street at Crocker Avenue. The stop sign at Greenwood requires drivers to maintain a reasonable speed between Woodlawn and Greenwood. This provides greater safety for the seniors at Havenside, as well as the preschoolers at Grace Church and the campers at Camp Jabberwocky, who also regularly use the sidewalk between the two intersections.
It took a while for drivers to adjust, but most now stop at both intersections. I would encourage our selectmen not to take a step backward on this important safety issue.
Nancy Ferguson
Vineyard Haven
