Trash Haulers Should Stay Off Peterboro Street during Rush Hour

To the Editor:

I would like to discuss a Village of Canastota issue; Traffic safety on Peterboro Street aka State Route 13.

Up until Monday Nov 2nd, trying to get to work on Monday mornings was just a hassle. I would be passing Peterboro Street School around 7:30 am each Monday heading north towards the thruway, and competing with the standard vehicle and school bus traffic and student pedestrian traffic, but also the construction the State is doing on the storm drains and the Village’s private contractor picking up garbage during our rush hour.

Monday morning, I contributed to the village’s traffic mess. At about 7:30 am, while waiting for traffic to clear pass at the intersection of Peterboro and Roberts Street (yeah, where the new traffic signal is), I was rear-ended by a tractor trailer which brought out the Village Police, Firemen and Greater Lenox Ambulance Service to tend to my concerns. Without getting into the details of the accident, I believe that if traffic flow was freer during that time, maybe that accident wouldn’t have happen. Obviously since I am writing this, I didn’t die in the accident, and I don’t know if the pain I am feeling right now will be long lasting, but shouldn’t the people who control Village activity try everything in their power to ensure that living in this community is safe and pleasant to be in.

I called the Mayor’s office, to voice my opinion and concerns, in particular “why are the trash collectors collecting on Peterboro Street during Monday Morning rush-hour?” and the response I received was that the Village has asked the company they contract with, to not pick up the major thoroughfares during busy traffic times. Also a message was left for Mayor Rouse, who did call me back a few hours later and confirmed that garbage pickup on Peterboro was to start at 6:30 am. I informed him that each and every Monday, they are picking up around 7:20 to 7:40am. He said he would contact the company. Also I discussed with him the storm drain construction, and he informed me that all of that work is being done by the State.

Bottom line here, citizens of Canastota and surrounding areas, I was only one voice calling to complain, please call the Village offices and State DOT to let them know you are concerned about the traffic situation during the morning. It only takes a couple of minutes and maybe the point will get across that there is a safety concern here, and we do not want anyone else hurt or even killed on something that is common sense to correct.

I would like to thank our Police, Fire and Ambulance Services for their quick and professional response.

Thank You,

Bill Haddad, Canastota NY

One Comment on "Trash Haulers Should Stay Off Peterboro Street during Rush Hour"

Andrew Hoornbeek on Mon, 9th Nov 2009 9:21 am

Traffic safety and pedestrian safety on Peterboro street should be a main concern to the village. I believe when the original work began to place new water lines on Peterboro Street last year, they said more than 10,000 cars/trucks traveled the road per day. I am not 100% sure of the number and cannot confirm it but i think it is close to that.

That being said, I feel there is a high chance for accidents to occur between Rt 5 and the Thruway. There is a lot of big truck traffic, which i think does not obey the speed limit through the village, the current construction with the drains, the congestion between Canal and Roberts streets, and the trash men.

I think the street is too busy for trash pickup anytime during the day. It is imperative that it is done before 7AM. I also suggest that chief Zophy post an officer on Peterboro St, they do a great job but i think the 30mph speed limit needs some reinforcement.

Trash Haulers Should Stay Off Peterboro Street during Rush Hour

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