Gettysburg Borough Council President Susan Naugle concluded a long and comprehensive borough council meeting on Monday September 23rd by saying “There is a consensus on council that we are not going to be revisiting that design.”
The decision was in response to a discussion about last-minute concerns, brought to the meeting by residents, regarding speed tables and crosswalks currently being constructed on East Broadway Street in Gettysburg.
Resident Michael Gelner said a “considerable number of households on East Broadway felt blindsided last week” when they saw the surveyor stakes marking out the curbs, crosswalks, and speed tables. He said he “hoped the council will agree to removing the speed tables and choke points.”
Resident Don Borock said “I’m opposed to the speed tables, I’m opposed to the crosswalks, and I’m definitely concerned about the parking issues. For elderly people like myself it’s kind of important to be close to the house.”
Borock said he had the names of 17 people who are opposed to the crosswalks and speed tables.
Resident Robin Wagner said she was “dumbfounded” when she learned a crosswalk was to be built in the middle of the block. But, she said, “It shouldn’t end up being an us against them situation.”
Resident Michael Brickner also spoke against the design.
In response to the citizen comments Borough Engineer Chad Clabaugh said “I’ve tried to be as responsible as I can.”
Clabaugh said there had been a total of eight meetings in which the construction plans had been discussed with residents. There was “clear discussion about the elimination of parking,” he said.
Clabaugh said any design changes would influence two major goals of the project — speed calming and stormwater management — and would likely cost extra money and take more time. Naugle said the bond being used to fund the construction stipulates that it be finished by year end.
Coucilmember Wesley Hauser recalled prior meetings with residents saying a meeting in May 2018 was a “critical one.” At that time “the voices from East Broadway had been very strong” in favor of the speed tables. The drawings “seemed pretty straightforward to me,” he said.
Echoing safety concerns, councilmember Patti Lawson said people had been “noticing more truck traffic in recent years.”
Councilmembers agreed the project had been fairly and thoroughly vetted and that there had been significant public engagement in the design.
Naugle said that at the May meeting “it was very clear people wanted two speed tables.” “From the very beginning the key goal has been safety,” she said.
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