HARVEYS LAKE — Residents of Harveys Lake engaged in a heated discussion on Tuesday night concerning safety on Lakeside Drive.
The issue arose following the June 7 death of Paula Jones after she was hit by Michael Scavone, allegedly driving under the influence with a blood-alcohol content that was twice the legal limit, according to arrest papers filed by state police.
The tragedy brought to a head concerns and conflicts regarding safety of the roadway which surrounds the lake, a state road under the auspices of the state Department of Transportation.
Harveys Lake Police Chief Charles Musial addressed council and attendees on the issue, saying that he didn’t believe a reduction in the speed limit was plausible.
He said the incident had served as a wake up call to residents, believing that moving forward they would be more likely to comply with the speed limit and to drive with increased caution.
He encouraged those who felt unsafe on Lakeside Drive to engage in activities such as running and biking in other areas of the community.
Resident Douglas Coslett said he believed according to state law, bicycles had the right-of-way especially in cases of safety.
Coslett said it was important for the council to encourage motorist education in regard to sharing the roadway with cyclists.
Resident Santo Agati said it was important to put safety before convenience.
“I drove the lake at 35 miles per hour and I drove it at 45 miles per hour and it was only a minute and a half difference,” said resident Santo Agati. “Who doesn’t have an extra minute and a half?”
Former fire chief Frank Latinski reminded attendees that the June 7 incident was allegedly related to drunk driving, and would not have been prevented by a lower speed limit.
“It would seem like reducing the speed limit would punish the public, with most of them already complying,” he said.
Council member Bill Hilburt, said the borough council would support a recently formed safety council which will endeavor to improve safety on Lakeside Drive.
“The safety council will provide an opportunity for discussion of these issues, and communication is always a good thing,” said Hilburt.
Lynn Banta, who lives on Lakeside Drive, said those who live along the roadway moved there with an understanding that it was a state-run highway.
“It’s not a residential neighborhood, it’s a highway,” she said. “There are people who live all over Harveys Lake that drive it to get to work.”
Banta said simply enforcing the current 35-miles-per-hour speed limit would maintain safety around the lake.
Council member Michell’e Boice said she believes a Harveys Lake bicycle club will be disseminating safety information among its members.
In other news:
• Fred Lubnow, Princeton Hydro, spoke to the council on several issues including water quality monitoring. Lubnow said grant money would be sought in order to remove Hydrilla (an undesirable plant) from the lake so it would not further encroach on other areas of the lake.
• Hilburt said the borough’s participation in the West Side Council of Governments has made equipment and services available to the borough including signage indicating motorist speed.
The COG is also seeking grant money for a vacuum machine to clear storm drains which would then be available for the borough to use periodically.
