Vermont Standard
By Curt Peterson
Standard Correspondent
KILLINGTON — Fifteen minutes before Tuesday’s Select Board meeting was scheduled to begin, the Killington Town Hall parking lot was full. Downstairs more than two-dozen residents were seated. Asked on his way into the meeting what was going on, Town Manager Seth Webb said, “It’s the West Hill Road issue.”
West Hill Road connects Vermont Route 4 with Killington Road, the main artery in town. Where they meet, there is a “slip lane,” a split in the road, one lane of which facilitates turning from West Hill onto Killington. There are numerous references to slip lanes on the Internet; almost all of them describe an intersection where drivers in the slip lane are required to yield the right-of-way to drivers on the main road, in this case, Killington Road. However, at Killington’s intersection, Killington Road drivers are meant to yield to drivers coming from the slip lane.
It’s been like that at least for many decades, according to residents, and they want to keep it that way.
Seth Webb said the select board received a petition signed by 72 voters, which is about 5 percent of the eligible voters in town, demanding that the select board “cease and desist” planning or making any and all changes in the West Hill Road/ Killington Road slip lane intersection.
Chairwoman Patty McGrath took charge following Webb’s announcement, and made a list of attendees who wished to speak on the subject.
“We want to hear everybody,” she said. “I’ll call on you in the order on this list, one at a time, and we’ll hear what each of you has to say.”
She then explained that two consultants had advised the town that there wasn’t enough traffic at the intersection to warrant a slip lane, but that the board was not going to take their advice to do away with it.
McGrath went on to say that the signage changes were not going to alter traffic patterns or rules at the intersection, that the proposed addition and movement of signs were all for increased safety only.
“We need to decide once and for all whether we want West Hill Road to be a residential road, or a thoroughfare,” she said. “For years only locals, including residents, second home owners and Killington regulars knew about the road and used it. Now GPS has changed everything by telling drivers the quickest way to Boston is West Hill Road. There’s nothing we can do about that, but we can try to control the safety issues.”
Selectman Chris Bianchi said the change most residents were against was changing traffic patterns so drivers in the slip lane had to yield to those on Killington Road. “I don’t think they are really concerned about moving the signs or adding signs, as long as traffic direction doesn’t change.”
Vito Rasenas suggested a “slow” stencil in the road, and “steep grade ahead” or “dangerous curve” signs to slow drivers down.
Diane Young pointed out that in the winter, when Killington has the most out-of-town traffic, stencils on the pavement would be covered with snow. Several other residents spoke about noisy groups of motorcycles, and about trucks using the West Hill Road shortcut. Most of the discussion cleared up misunderstandings and misinformation.
When all had spoken their peace, McGrath summed up the discussion. “Let me say right now, the slip lane is here to stay. Our concern is about safety. We’ve heard from you, and here are the things we plan to do: Provide new, wider shoulders for pedestrians; Installation of a sign package we’ve described, which should make the intersection more clear to drivers, and hopefully slow them down; An enforced weight limit that will prohibit larger trucks using West Hill Road; We’re going to look into making the clean-out pipes for the culvert safer for bicyclists; Trimming trees and growth on the island to improve visibility; Try to encourage local traffic only, and get drivers to lower their speed.”
Jim Haff cited some anomalies in the current roads ordinance that do not reflect reality, which McGrath said the board was also planning to update.
Police Chief Whit Montgomery and Road Foreman Chet Hagenbarth both provided input regarding ways the intersection could be improved without making traffic pattern changes. Attendees seemed satisfied when the West Hill Road slip lane discussion was finished, and half of them left.
Webb discussed the third annual International Downhill Throwdown skateboard and trike competition, which is requesting use of town roads for four days, Sept. 16 through 19. Selectman Ken Lee voiced some concern about post-event freelance racing on the roads in the past, which he thought might be dangerous and present liability for the town, and Chris Bianchi asked if the town was paying for police security for the event, which had been a three-day affair in the past. Webb said he would negotiate with IDT to recoup some of the security cost. The event is expected to draw 150 competitors.
To answer Lee’s concern, Webb said, “The producer organization indemnifies the town with their insurance coverage, and they get all the competitors to sign waivers.” Chief Montgomery said he would see that the area was patrolled after the actual racing to make sure there were no maverick activities.
By Curt Peterson
Standard Correspondent
KILLINGTON — Fifteen minutes before Tuesday’s Select Board meeting was scheduled to begin, the Killington Town Hall parking lot was full. Downstairs more than two-dozen residents were seated. Asked on his way into the meeting what was going on, Town Manager Seth Webb said, “It’s the West Hill Road issue.”
West Hill Road connects Vermont Route 4 with Killington Road, the main artery in town. Where they meet, there is a “slip lane,” a split in the road, one lane of which facilitates turning from West Hill onto Killington. There are numerous references to slip lanes on the Internet; almost all of them describe an intersection where drivers in the slip lane are required to yield the right-of-way to drivers on the main road, in this case, Killington Road. However, at Killington’s intersection, Killington Road drivers are meant to yield to drivers coming from the slip lane.
It’s been like that at least for many decades, according to residents, and they want to keep it that way.
Seth Webb said the select board received a petition signed by 72 voters, which is about 5 percent of the eligible voters in town, demanding that the select board “cease and desist” planning or making any and all changes in the West Hill Road/ Killington Road slip lane intersection.
Chairwoman Patty McGrath took charge following Webb’s announcement, and made a list of attendees who wished to speak on the subject.
“We want to hear everybody,” she said. “I’ll call on you in the order on this list, one at a time, and we’ll hear what each of you has to say.”
She then explained that two consultants had advised the town that there wasn’t enough traffic at the intersection to warrant a slip lane, but that the board was not going to take their advice to do away with it.
McGrath went on to say that the signage changes were not going to alter traffic patterns or rules at the intersection, that the proposed addition and movement of signs were all for increased safety only.
“We need to decide once and for all whether we want West Hill Road to be a residential road, or a thoroughfare,” she said. “For years only locals, including residents, second home owners and Killington regulars knew about the road and used it. Now GPS has changed everything by telling drivers the quickest way to Boston is West Hill Road. There’s nothing we can do about that, but we can try to control the safety issues.”
Selectman Chris Bianchi said the change most residents were against was changing traffic patterns so drivers in the slip lane had to yield to those on Killington Road. “I don’t think they are really concerned about moving the signs or adding signs, as long as traffic direction doesn’t change.”
Vito Rasenas suggested a “slow” stencil in the road, and “steep grade ahead” or “dangerous curve” signs to slow drivers down.
Diane Young pointed out that in the winter, when Killington has the most out-of-town traffic, stencils on the pavement would be covered with snow. Several other residents spoke about noisy groups of motorcycles, and about trucks using the West Hill Road shortcut. Most of the discussion cleared up misunderstandings and misinformation.
When all had spoken their peace, McGrath summed up the discussion. “Let me say right now, the slip lane is here to stay. Our concern is about safety. We’ve heard from you, and here are the things we plan to do: Provide new, wider shoulders for pedestrians; Installation of a sign package we’ve described, which should make the intersection more clear to drivers, and hopefully slow them down; An enforced weight limit that will prohibit larger trucks using West Hill Road; We’re going to look into making the clean-out pipes for the culvert safer for bicyclists; Trimming trees and growth on the island to improve visibility; Try to encourage local traffic only, and get drivers to lower their speed.”
Jim Haff cited some anomalies in the current roads ordinance that do not reflect reality, which McGrath said the board was also planning to update.
Police Chief Whit Montgomery and Road Foreman Chet Hagenbarth both provided input regarding ways the intersection could be improved without making traffic pattern changes. Attendees seemed satisfied when the West Hill Road slip lane discussion was finished, and half of them left.
Webb discussed the third annual International Downhill Throwdown skateboard and trike competition, which is requesting use of town roads for four days, Sept. 16 through 19. Selectman Ken Lee voiced some concern about post-event freelance racing on the roads in the past, which he thought might be dangerous and present liability for the town, and Chris Bianchi asked if the town was paying for police security for the event, which had been a three-day affair in the past. Webb said he would negotiate with IDT to recoup some of the security cost. The event is expected to draw 150 competitors.
To answer Lee’s concern, Webb said, “The producer organization indemnifies the town with their insurance coverage, and they get all the competitors to sign waivers.” Chief Montgomery said he would see that the area was patrolled after the actual racing to make sure there were no maverick activities.
Comment: Interestingly enough, while McGrath stated two consultants said there was not enough traffic to warrant a slip lane, the article does not mention that the traffic engineer from one of those consultants, whom the board asked to assess the proposed traffic pattern change, told them that same lack of traffic warranted no changes.
Thanks to all who supported the effort by signing the petition and/or attending the meeting. It definitely made a difference.
Thanks to all who supported the effort by signing the petition and/or attending the meeting. It definitely made a difference.
Vito
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