Chandler Hall Residents Push for Safer Crosswalk on Sycamore Street

Residents and staff of Chandler Hall appeared before the Newtown Township Board of Supervisors this month to demand long-overdue safety upgrades to the crosswalk on South Sycamore Street, which runs through the senior living campus.

Residents Describe Daily Risks

Loralee Stucky, a Chandler Hall resident, said the crosswalk has been in place for 24 years without significant updates despite heavy increases in traffic. She noted that seniors with limited mobility, staff, daycare children, and even a food service cart that crosses twice daily rely on the crosswalk.

“I have yet to see a car go 25 miles an hour through our crosswalk,” Stucky said. “We just want to make it to the other side safely.”

Stucky presented a petition with more than 100 signatures in support of improved safety measures.

Calls for Brighter, Safer Signals

Chandler Hall CEO John Whitman explained that the campus’s unique layout, split by South Sycamore Street, forces residents and employees to cross regularly. He recounted a recent incident when a driver nearly struck him despite existing warning lights.

“Our current flashing lights are dull and drivers ignore them,” Whitman said. “We’re asking for pedestrian push-buttons that activate bright, rapid-flashing beacons, like the ones near the Green Parrot. You can’t miss those.”

Whitman added that police patrols and speed displays have helped somewhat, but stressed that stronger visual signals are necessary to prevent a tragedy.

Low Driver Compliance

Another resident, Marcia Stemer, shared her own experience trying to cross the street.

“Five cars in a row zipped right past me. Only the fifth stopped,” Stemer said. “That means maybe 20 percent of drivers obey the law. An ounce of prevention now will save lives later.”

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Township Response

Supervisors acknowledged the concerns and said the township engineer would review possible improvements, including a traffic study. After the meeting, supervisor John Mack cautioned that any official action must be authorized by a Board vote.

“It would be inappropriate to direct the engineer without a motion,” Mack said. “This issue needs to come before the BOS for an official vote.”

Next Steps

Hopefully, the Board of Supervisors will consider and approve the matter at an upcoming meeting. Specifically, the township engineer could begin the process of evaluating and designing safety upgrades.

For Chandler Hall residents and staff, the request is simple: brighter lights that will make drivers stop. As Whitman noted, “It’s not a big fix. It’s just about preventing someone from getting seriously hurt.”

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