Traffic patterns, lightning strike, road race discussed

The Lebanon Voice editor Harrison Thorp asked selectmen to consider a road race to focus attention on the plight of the New Bridge Road bridge.

MILTON - Selectmen on Monday revisited the likelihood in the future of closing off the northern spur of Townhouse Road that goes between the Milton Police Station and the Townhouse and connects to White Mountain Highway.

Police Chief Richard Krauss said the dual entrances to Townhouse Road create a dangerous traffic situation for police officers exiting their building.

Also when the Old Townhouse is up and running with events and meetings, pedestrians crossing that section would be at risk, selectmen reasoned.

Their idea in the long run would be to modifying Townhouse Road to one access using the southbound lane to service all directions to and from White Mountain Highway.

Another traffic issue was brought up from a Lebanon resident who spoke with Town Administrator Liz Dionne regarding the dangerous intersection of  Garage Way and White Mountain Highway in the downtown area next to Milton Garage.

With the curve coming north from the area of Veterans Park motorists coming out to enter the highway have a hard time seeing cars that often are traveling 30 mph or more around the bend. The speed limit on White Mountain Highway at that point is 25 mph.

Additionally, motorists from Garage Way looking to turn south onto  the highway must edge out into the road to see southbound traffic often due to parked cars alongside the former Milton Dam Second Hand shop which recently closed.

Dionne noted that there are small areas at the corner blocked off from parking, and selectmen acknowledged there was probably little they could do.

Krauss also relayed to selectmen that a recent lightning strike had taken out the police department’s electronic door keys, fire alarm, a door lock and the router for the server on the station’s computer.

He said a lightning bolt had also struck a large pine tree that threatened the station’s leach field piping and asked selectmen to take down the tree which had been weakened by the strike. Selectmen agreed and OK’d the disbursal of $900 for the removal of the tree.

Krauss said insurance would cover all the other damage and his department would absorb the $1,000 deductible charged by the insurance company in such cases.

The insurance company refused to cover the tree removal, Krauss said.

The Lebanon Voice editor Harrison Thorp also asked selectmen for their help and advice in organizing a road race that would focus attention on the plight of the New Bridge Road bridge.

The road race would be called “The almost a 10K Almost Around the Lake,” Thorp said, and would hopefully raise awareness of the bridge’s loss and bring some energy as well to replace the collective inertia that has surrounded the span.

The race would travel down Townhouse Road to White Mountain Highway to Garage Way to Champion Street and finally New Bridge Road before ending by Everetts Cove Marina, a total distance of about 6.1 miles, just short of a 10K.

Selectmen urged Thorp to get in touch with some local running groups for logistical help.

Thorp said he would like to see the inaugural race happen this summer.

Selectmen also gratefully acknowledged a recent contribution of $150 for the Milton Food Pantry from the South Shore Outboard Association which raced at Milton Town Beach during Summer Kickoff celebrations last month.