Crossing guard says crosswalk in town is dangerous

NORTH CANAAN — To cross or not to cross, that is the question for students at North Canaan Elementary School. Or at least it was. A treacherous intersection on a walking route to the school may have become a moot issue.

Crossing guard Don Caranci told the school board at its Dec. 10 meeting that traffic at the intersection he has guarded for about 13 years now is much heavier of late. But since the beginning of the school year, he has only crossed about eight children in total.

“I’m wondering if there is an area where I can better serve,� Caranci said.

He also observed that some students who are supposed to be walking are taking school buses instead; and that some students are crossing a little farther west on Main Street. There is a signal-contolled crosswalk there. But, Caranci said, they have to cross three lanes of traffic there without adult supervision.

“One of those students happened to be hit in that crosswalk a couple of years ago,� he said.

Caranci has long been vocal about the dangers of trying to cross there. Last year, he was grazed by a car when its driver ignored the large stop sign he holds. But he stays there, he said, because of concern for the students’ safety.

The intersection includes two crosswalks, which span Route 44 on either side of the West Main Street junction. Route 44 takes a nearly 90-degree turn there. Route 44 traffic is slowed only by the sharp curve. Drivers headed west often cross the center line. Eastbound drivers cut the corner at times, to the extreme of running up onto the sidewalk right where the two crosswalks meet.

Caranci has tried to gain support for a plan to move the designated student crossing. As an alternative, he has also pushed for more police presence, requesting that a state trooper park in a high-profile spot near the crossing to at least slow drivers. He told the board that has happened “maybe two times in the last 10 years.�

Caranci has been vocal about students who are violating policy and taking the bus, apparently without the school’s knowledge.

He was advised by the board and Principal Rosemary Keilty this month that the school’s policy on walkers was amended last year. Previously, students in grade four and up who live within a mile of the school were required to walk unless they had a specific reason for requiring a bus ride.

A drop in the school population prompted the elimination of a bus route. There are now five. However, there remain plenty of extra seats. At the urging of parents, the board decided to allow anyone to ride  who wants to. The only requirement was to submit a written request.

Keilty said the school has received a number of letters and all students’ transportation habits are now known, so the school can keep track of the youngsters.

Region One School District Superintendent Patricia Chamberlain suggested the board’s transportation committee look at the crosswalk issue.

“Even if you only cross two children, it’s dangerous. You still need someone there,� she said.

Keilty agreed, calling Caranci a “keen observer� and an extra set of eyes that adds a measure of safety.

North Canaan crossing guards — there is one other guard, at the intersection of Route 7 and Orchard and Bragg streets — are in the unique position of being paid for out of the town budget, but are under the jurisdiction of the school board.