Traffic conditions to be improved around Farmingdale Middle School
by Tiffany Elliott

To solve a longstanding problem of traffic around the Weldon E. Howitt Middle School, the Farmingdale school district is in the process of implementing solutions that will keep students and residents safe.

At the February 7th meeting the Traffic Committee of the Farmingdale Board of Education presented their proposal which includes changes to make student pick-up and drop-offs safer and easier.

According to Principal Lou Pena, the school, at 70 Van Cott Avenue, will be improved with a sidewalk in front of the library. In addition, fencing will be added on Van Cott and Grant Avenues and a speed bump will be added in the parking lot in the hope of slowing down motorists.

"Although construction was delayed because of the weather, we have been trying to implement the traffic pattern with temporary barriers to get drivers used to the new pattern," said Pena at the meeting. He added that signage, as promised by the Village of Farmingdale, has also not yet been installed.

According to Farmingdale Village Clerk David Smollet, the traffic signs at the corner of Grant and Van Cott will be installed by the end of March.

Regardless of the signs, the district believes more should be done to ensure safety of the students, staff and other pedestrians.

"We have asked repeatedly for a crossing guard, but are always denied because they say the age of the students does not warrant one. We will continue to petition for one at the dangerous Van Cott Grant intersection," said the principal.

Other traffic improvements include the elimination of one-way entrances and the entrance on the corner on Grant and Van Cott will be closed off in the hopes of redirecting traffic flow and will add spaces in the parking lot. A no parking zone will also be posted during the busy drop-off and dismissal times. Additionally, a lighted walkway will be installed from the school to the parking lot off Conklin Street, making it easier and safer for the facility and the staff to use.

The problem has been around for at least the five years Pena has worked at the school, and became especially problematic when the District added sixth graders to the seventh and eighth grade school in 2003, adding to the traffic volume.

According to the District, the projects are due to begin when the weather cooperates, during a school recess, and will be funded through oil and snow removal savings because of the mild winter.

"So far we've had relative success with the new pattern. It's not perfect but it's better and we think it will get even better after the construction and the signs are all in place," said Pena.

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