Meagahn Moody 16 Hoseye Coach Road Sandy Hook, CT 06482 203.426.8854 meagahn@gmail.

com August 11, 2010 Pat Lodra First Selectwoman Newtown, CT Dear Ms. Lodra, Please accept this documentation regarding the unsafe road conditions on Hoseye Coach Road in Sandy Hook. Overview: Hoseye Coach Road in Sandy Hook is approximately 1 mile long connecting Old Mill Road with Marlin Road (Rollingwood Estates). The entire road with the exception of a 2/10 of a mile section is paved, courtesy of 2 developers (Blakeman Construction and Herde Construction) that have built subdivision homes on the road. The transformation from a single lane, dead-end road to a freshly paved subdivision with a small unpaved section has shown traffic increasing from 4 to 5 cars per day to upwards of 15 per hour during peak traffic times. The fact that the dirt portion is no wider than 12 feet means 2 cars cannot safely pass. Add to that no less than 5 blind curves on the dirt section, and many neighbors, children and pets walking or biking on the road, and you have a truly dangerous situation. In the early fall of 2008, after a near miss with an oncoming car, I called the Public Works department and spoke to Dave Bratz. He encouraged me to get signatures from the residents that they were in support of having the road paved. Everyone I could reach (2 families were never home) signed the petition. I brought it to Mr. Bratz who said he would submit the project for next year (2009). When I called Mr. Bratz in early 2009, he told me that it was not likely with the state of the economy. Note,, you only have to visit the road and examine the conditions to know that it is a safety hazard, the residents approval should not be the driver of choice between safe and unsafe conditions. In March of this year, Mr. Bratz did not return my calls. I eventually connected with Director Fred Hurley. Mr. Hurley had no recollection of this issue ever being raised. He did not remember any signatures. When I explained the dangerous situation, he encouraged me to call the police department and have them put up traffic signs to warn traffic of the one lane road. He explained that that was not a function of his department, hence end of conversation. In April of this year, I called your office two times and left two messages. After almost 2 weeks, I got a return call, and someone politely took down my information. They promised to get back to me, and did not. I left another message to follow up and no return call was ever received.

Timeline Year 2000 April 2002 Status 2 houses exist on dead end dirt road Public Hearing: Blakeman Construction proposed 17 lot subdivision on Hoseye Coach Road requires breaking through one lane Road Selectman Rosenthal recommends temporary blockade be placed at the end of the dirt road, preventing through traffic. Blakeman end of Hoseye Coach is cleared and paved. Unpaved cul-de-sac was created at the end of the road Hoseye Coach Estates subdivision constructed. Recollection, the temporary blockade was removed during construction and never replaced. 3 houses constructed on Blakeman Construction end. The Moodys GC the building of their house at 16 Hoseye Coach Road. Traffic increases, Contacted Public Works, David Bratz.. He asked that I get signatures to ensure the neighborhood was in support of paving the road Mr. Bratz: It doesnt look good, poor economy Fred Hurley, Public Works Director has no recollection of this issue. Can I resubmit petition, ask the police to install speed signs Notes Traffic exceeds no more than 4 to 5 cars per day Public turnout is high, residents support keeping the road a dead end closed to through traffic 14 lot subdivision approved

April 2002

2002

2005/ 2006 2007

Minimal traffic at this time, no houses completed houses on either end of Hoseye Coach Traffic increasing as the neighborhood moves in Once petition submitted, Mr. Bratz informed me that the project would be submitted as part of the next budget The town is not giving adequate attention to the dangerous roadway on Hoseye Coach Road.

Fall 2008

2009 2010

Conclusion: The primary missions of the Department range from the long-range planning for sanitary sewers to support of safe vehicle traffic town-wide by the repair and maintenance of nearly 300 miles of public and private roadways. Newtown Public Works mission statement (from http://www.newtown-ct.gov/Public_Documents/NewtownCT_DPW/index ). The windy, narrow portion of Hoseye Coach Road presents inadequate and unsafe driving and pedestrian conditions. It is only a matter of time before there is a real accident on the road. Today, two cars cannot safely pass each other in the unimproved section roadway. Given that both sides of the street are highly wooded, it is increasingly difficult to pull off and let other cars pass. My car bears scratches from unavoidable vehicular navigation. The issue is continually growing; yesterday a moving van jackknifed on the road. The lasting result will be at least 2 more cars using the roadway on a daily basis. In addition, a contractor is currently constructing another home, and there are a number of vacant lots still available. Prior to the subdivisions Hoseye Coach Road was a quiet, dead end road, with only 2 houses. In 2002 the town of Newtown, CT approved the Blakeman subdivision amidst tremendous resident support to keep the road a dead end. While the town agreed to a temporary barrier that was never enforced, the new through road enabled a shortcut from route 34 to 25. When Herde Constructions subdivision was built, the road began to see traffic. This has only increased since Blakmans subdivision side becomes inhabited.

The town enacted sound judgment requiring both developers improve and pave the access to their respective subdivisions. Now is the time for the town to enact sound judgment and take responsibility for the traffic that they have enabled by approving two subdivisions and opening up the road to through traffic. The Public Works department has not given legitimate consideration to this issue. It is in direct contrast to the departments advertised mission. I implore you to investigate the situation so that a safe environment may be created for the entire neighborhood. In order to provide a safe public roadway the town has two choices: 1. Widen the road, to meet current standards for two lane roadway 2. Widen and pave the road to create a safe, continuous paved roadway. (This option will most adequately prepare the road to handle todays traffic but for future growth which is a foregone conclusion.) Attached you will find current photos as well as historical information supporting my statement. If you have any questions, please dont hesitate to contact me directly. In addition, I would appreciate communication on the direction of this matter within two weeks. Thank You,

Meagahn Moody