Chandler Hall Residents Petition Newtown For Safer Crosswalk

NEWTOWN TOWNSHIP, PA — Citing an increase in traffic and concerns over safety, the residents of Chandler Hall are asking the township to consider an upgrade to its South Sycamore Street crosswalk.

Residents from the South Sycamore Street assisted living facility, along with their CEO, attended the Sept. 10 meeting of the board of supervisors to lobby for “brighter flashing lights,” similar to the new ones recently installed on North Sycamore at Silo Drive.

“These lights will flash very, very brightly,” said resident Laura Lee Stucky, who presented the supervisors with a petition containing more than 100 names favoring an upgrade.

“I have observed the new one on North Sycamore Street near the Green Parrot and that is fantastic,” she said. “Everybody does stop. You cannot not stop for that light.”

She continued, “The people who live at Chandler Hall are no spring chickens. Some of them can’t see or walk as well as they used to, so it might take them a little longer to cross the street. We also have a lot of other people who go across - the aides, the nurses, patients in physical therapy. You also have the administrative personnel who go across.

The crosswalk at Chandler Hall. (Jeff Werner/Patch)

“And last but not least is the food truck that goes across twice a day every day 365 days a year, rain or shine. They were involved in an accident last year, but it wasn’t serious. Nevertheless, we do not want accidents,” she said.

In addition, she said Chandler is home to a branch of the YMCA and a daycare center, which produce additional traffic in and around the campus facility.

“I just hope we can get some help from you to make this a safer crosswalk because we are in dire need ... It’s important to us because we are older and we don’t have the facility to move as quickly,” she said. “I hope you can help us do this.”

Chandler’s CEO John Whitman told the supervisors that one of the unique things about the campus is that it’s split by South Sycamore Street.

“A couple of weeks ago, when I went to cross, there was a car coming down the street. I got partly across, and the guy slammed his horn on me. I just stood there and the guy stopped and I pointed up to the flashing lights. But that happens all the time because people are in their own mindset and thinking about what they need to do. But it’s a matter of time until somebody gets seriously hurt.

“We do have flashing lights, but they are very dull and people get used to it and it’s like they are not even there,” he said. “We are very, very concerned about our residents and our staff. We’re not looking for a big fix. We’re just looking for some brighter flashing lights like the ones at the Green Parrot.”

After listening to the residents, Chairwoman Elen Snyder said the board will ask its engineer to look into the crosswalk and the possibility of conducting a traffic study.

“We hear you,” said Snyder. “We will have our engineer look at this and do whatever is needed to get a process going so we can help you in the best way possible.”