Apparently the powers that be in Killington town government think its a good idea to close the "slip lane" on West Hill Road and create a major traffic mess at the light where West Hill and Killington Roads intersect. The "slip" lane eases downhill northerly traffic by allowing easterly traffic to come off Killington Road and intersect Route 4 at the bottom of West Hill Road relieving congestion at the bottom of Killington Road. Can you imagine the traffic snarls that would result? You would not only inconvenience thousands of weekend skiers but also all the residents of the West Hill Road neighborhood as well as everyone living east of it.
People would need to make a sharp right hand turn at West Hill Road slowing downhill traffic behind them. Apparently this is a part of the Strategic Initiative to create a four season resort for the benefit of a few local businesses. This part of the initiative is to "beautify" and create green space along Killington Road as well as "calming" traffic so the drivers will be attracted to the bars and restaurants which if they were going faster they would not notice or consider. (Just what we need more drinking and driving.)
Another result, whether planned or not (I think planned as the main beneficiary of the town's economic development efforts is nearby) is to give more room to the Americade motorcycle invasion that is now under the auspices of the Foundry. I have bitten my tongue regarding this raucous event since its inception as it was one of the few successful initiatives providing off season business (no credit to the town's economic development efforts as it was a private initiative by Sal Salmieri of Moguls which was co-opted by the town). This event is a disruption in the neighborhood rivaled only by the weekend ski crowds and is a far worse noise polluter as a majority of the motorcycles are Harleys and their ilk which are barely muffled and are especially loud when throttling down downhill.
Isn't it enough to disrupt the neighborhood for one weekend. Now they're planning a permanent pain in neighborhood's behind and making us pay for it besides! I used to look forward to the peaceful bucolic nature of our community during the off season before all this economic, four season development nonsense. Now I cringe at the thought of the town being overrun with motorcycles, jeeps, dogs and all kinds of other assorted disruptions to the off season quietude we once enjoyed in this town. All this just to benefit a few local businesses.
Please, if you are able, come to Tuesday night's select board meeting (Community Conference Room * Town Offices Tuesday, May 6, 2014, 7:30 p.m) to show your displeasure at this pending action (which the select board and town manager seem to be trying to sneak by the voters as it is being presented during mud season when the fewest people are in town).
Vito
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