OBSERVER Photo by Braden Carmen Highway Superintendent Lisa Waldron was recently authorized to implement a four-way stop at the intersection of Tarbox Road and Hall Road in the Town of Arkwright.

ARKWRIGHT — After recent improvements to roads, Highway Superintendent Lisa Waldron suggested another project at a recent Town Board meeting.

Waldron proposed the implementation of a four-way stop at Tarbox and Hall roads. Currently only a two-way stop exists on Tarbox Road, but there is no stop on the portion of Hall Road within the vicinity.

Waldron suggested a four-way stop rather than a speed reduction because she believes it is much more likely to deter drivers from speeding and increase safety for the nearby residents.

“It takes forever to get a speed limit reduction, and what is that going to matter unless there is a cop sitting on that road,” Waldron said. “My thought is to put a four-way stop there. That way, they have to stop in our residential area right there. I think a four-way stop would help slow traffic down there.”

Waldron continued, “At least, if they see that stop ahead, they are going to start slowing down where our farmers are, where everybody is making their turns. That’s all we can hope for.

I know I’m not going to cure it, but I’m trying to maintain it as best as I can.”

Because of the recent improvements to roads in the area, drivers have been observed driving at increased speeds down Hall Road.

“As soon as we hard-top a road, the cars are going to be flying through there. We know that,” Waldron said.

Town Supervisor Brian McAvoy agreed. “The irony of roads is people want them to be just well enough that nobody else wants to drive on them. You don’t want anybody else driving on them, and you certainly don’t want them driving fast.”

The Town Board discussed the matter further, with McAvoy stating, “My opinion is, the Highway Superintendent thinks it’s a good idea, that road is better than it’s ever been, we have faster traffic, I tend to lean with Lisa (Waldron) … I don’t really see a downside to it.”

With the exception of Lynn Bedford who was absent from the meeting, the other members of the board voted unanimously to authorize Waldron to post the road and implement a four-way stop at the intersection.

“We can go down the path of doing it. If there is a compelling reason to not do it that’s overwhelming, we can undo it,” McAvoy said. “… I think we’re being proactive here.”