HANOVER — John McGowan of the Hanford Bay Association advocated increased safety measures and serenity for both Sunset Bay and Hanford Bay, in the form of railroad crossing quiet zone. These quiet zones, smaller than a normal speed bump, would encourage people to slow down while traveling through the communities.

McGowan focused on Hanford Bay, who have already approved the use of these quiet zone markers on the streets of Hanford Bay. These markers come outfitted with different reflectors to be able to replace them when they get dirty later on. The markers are five inches high with ridges on the side to mount it. The reflectors attach with hooks and are put on with grounded pieces to avoid the impact if someone should hit it. McGowan said that Hanford Bay would have a half day installation, and the process for actually installing them is pretty simple.

“It could be done by anybody with a drill and a wrench,” McGowan said. “It’s not a very time-consuming install.”

One of the biggest concerns with these markers, according to Hanover Board Trustee Bernie Feldmann, is interference with emergency vehicles attempting to travel down these streets. While the markers are there for the purposes of safety, their presence could interfere with response vehicles trying to get down those streets.

“I’ve never read of any accident,” McGowan said. “I try to do my research and see what other districts are doing. There are 177 districts in Texas, that’s a lot of opportunities for accidents. I didn’t see anything in the literature that talked about any problems.”

Though McGowan said he wasn’t directly representing the Hanford Bay Association when he spoke at Monday’s meeting, he did say the people of Hanford Bay voted in favor of the installations. The question still remains about what Sunset Bay wants, and though McGowan doesn’t know exactly what they want, he has heard positive things.

“The Sunset Association, from people talking, I heard that the board voted positively for it,” McGowan said. “That’s all hearsay, but I will say that based on the people I’ve talked to, I think we could do it.”

McGowan first started discussing this in 2017, and the Board was in favor initially, but the value wasn’t seen unless Sunset and Hanford came together. As for funding for the project, should the Town of Hanover not feel they can fund it, McGowan said there are paths for funding.

“If people commit, it would be a charitable deduction, because the Town is a charity under the tax law,” McGowan said. “If the quiet zone doesn’t happen, there could be a rebuy.”

McGowan said the cost for raw materials in Hanford Bay was $29,000, but requires more material because Sunset Bay’s train rails are closer together. The Hanover Town Board said they are not opposed to it, but the funding would be the main concern, while they want to ensure that both communities are on board with the quiet zone regulations. Should the quiet zone be approved and the Town decide they no longer want it, McGowan said the installations are not permanent.

“If something happens, it can be shut down by the Town Board immediately,” McGowan said. “It’s not permanent forever. It’s the town’s property and their decision. If the town board decides that isn’t the right answer for this community, it can be ripped out.”