Neighbors On River Road Speak Out Against Improvement Plan

Most neighbors who spoke at a public hearing before the Town Council Tuesday said they are against a proposal to improve River Road in Mystic, particularly the plan to erect barriers, which one resident described as “ugly”.

“The proposed guardrails are ugly, and they would detract from the scenic nature of the road,” said Ken Peters, who lives on River Road. He added that the engineering consultant who came up with the design “will probably never have to drive by them to see how ugly and ridiculous they look.”

 River Road flooded this past spring, and the town is considering a plan to repair it. The plan would rebuild drainage areas, resurface the street and erect rails on both sides of the road, including 250 feet on the pond side and more than 100 feet on the east side. The style of rail has not been decided, but one option is wood rails with a steel back, Public Works Director Gary Schneider said.

Jane Pillar, who lives on the street, urged councilors to vote against the improvements. She said River Road is a designated scenic road and she wants it preserved in that state.

“This is a devastating plan, not only for the residents on River Road, but for the community, “ she said.

"We have a scenic road, and we'd like to keep it that way," said Jack Pillar.

Isabelle Magee, who also lives on the road, said a stone wall that runs the length of her house withstood cascades of water during the flooding, and she does not understand why a barrier needs to be erected, too.

  “(The logic) just boggles my mind,” she said.

Wanda Tillman, of River Road, said the street is regularly used by walkers, bikers, joggers and people riding on horseback, and the guardrails would create a hazard as cars try to get by.

 “It is going to be virtually impossible to safely pass anyone engaged in recreational activities,” she said. She suggested the road could be made a one-way street instead, so rails would not be necessary.