Dear Neighbor: 
Late in 2007, the Town sponsored a neighborhood meeting with residents of the properties adjacent to the Hartford Middle/High School campus.  The purpose of the meeting was to hear and to try to address your concerns relating to traffic going to or from the schools, e.g. volume, improper operation, noise, etc. 

It was a wonderful meeting that resulted in a virtually unanimous consensus that the Town would pursue road closings on both Hanover Street at the entrance to the High School parking lot and at the top of Cascadnac.  The objective of these closings would be to redirect traffic out of the adjoining neighborhoods and through the primary entrance to the School campus on Rte 5. 

At the end of our meeting, we proposed conducting a “test” of the proposed road closings to determine what, if any, unintended consequences might develop.  It was clear that these tests would not be meaningful until such time that the State completed its work on Rte 5 – Tafts Flat.  That work included the reconstruction of the intersection/entrance to the Schools on Rte 5 and Highland Ave.  The installation of a new “jug handle” and demand controlled traffic lights are an essential element of effectively managing the increased traffic that will result from the proposed segregation of the adjoining neighborhoods. 

Unfortunately, the State’s work on completing Rte 5/Tafts Flat has not progressed as scheduled.  Construction related difficulties have delayed the final phases of the work suggesting that the area will be busy with the final phases of construction.  It is also expected that the State will be completing its work on the new traffic lights at Rte 5 intersections with Rte 14 and Highland Ave. that are expected to be able to handle the traffic that might ultimately be displaced from the Cascadnac and Hanover Street approaches to the Schools.  This is particularly true for traffic approaching the Schools from the south that will travel through both of the yet to be completed intersections on Rte 5. 

So, given that the ongoing reconstruction of Rte 5 appears to be confounding our original intent, we will be attempting a modified test of the proposed traffic pattern modification.  Beginning on May 15, 2009, and at the request of the Town, the School District will temporarily close the Hanover Street access to their campus.  Notice of this closing will be posted at each of the Rte 5 access points to the adjoining neighborhood.  This access will remain closed through June 1^st, 2009.  The results of this activity will be evaluated and permanent changes in this aspect of the traffic patterns in the area considered for summer/fall of this year.  We intend to conduct a follow up meeting with area residents later this year.

Testing of traffic pattern changes for Cascadnac will be considered as soon as the construction on Rte 5 including traffic controls, are completed later this summer/fall.  We will be sending a notice similar to this one to affected property owners. 

We believe that this more incremental approach to addressing the neighborhoods concerns will be effective and regret that circumstances are not allowing for a more timely implementation of this project. 

Should you have any questions about this project, the schedule, etc., please feel free to contact me directly.  Until then, thank you for your consideration and patience. 
 

 Sincerely yours, 
 Hunter F. Rieseberg

 Town Manager