Millbrook may control busy street
State is giving over portion of Route 44

By Michael Woyton Poughkeepsie Journal February 23, 2006

MILLBROOK — Union Vale resident Emily Page was pushing a baby carriage containing her 14-month-old daughter down Franklin Avenue Wednesday afternoon.
A tanker truck lumbered past them on the narrow road only a few feet away.
The mother and daughter frequently visit Millbrook to walk around and do some shopping. The large trucks are not only a distraction, but can be a safety concern when trying to cross streets.
"This road is not equipped for that type of vehicle," Page said. "And I think it takes away from the charm of the village."
Through-truck traffic could be a thing of the past if a deal worked out between a group of village residents and the state Department of Transportation comes to fruition.
Millbrook resident Lisa Miceli of the Make Franklin Safe Committee announced at the village board meeting Tuesday the DOT will turn over to the municipality the portion of Route 44 that lies within the village boundaries.
Study impact
Trustee Andrew Ciferri said the board would probably meet in the next couple of weeks to discuss how the proposal would impact the village, and then make a decision fairly soon.
"It would be a positive move for the village to take over the road," he said.
"This is huge for us," Miceli said, adding talks with the DOT were aided by state Sen. Steve Saland, R-Poughkeepsie.
A letter from Saland dated Friday confirmed the results of conversations between him, Miceli and DOT Regional Director Robert Dennison, and was presented to the board.
The village must agree to take over maintenance of the road, Saland's letter stated. Route 44A would be designated Route 44.
Route 44A is a truck bypass built in 1953 that passes north of the village.
Truck traffic lessened
Under this plan, "the village would thereafter be able to eliminate or restrict truck traffic" on Franklin Avenue, Saland wrote.
Last summer, "Stop the Trucks" signs started sprouting on people's lawns along Franklin Avenue.
People have reported damaged or missing side-view mirrors on cars parked on Franklin Avenue, Miceli said.
Many of the trucks traveling through the village are obviously over the 20-ton weight limit, she said, adding a full gasoline tanker weighs about 40,000 pounds.
"And they are traveling at unsafe rates of speed," Miceli said.
Ted Ialongo, a former village highway superintendent now living in the Town of Washington, was impressed Miceli and her group were able to work out a solution.
That was something town and village officials haven't been able to do, he said.
"This will be very beneficial to the village," Ialongo said. "They owe her a big debt."
Michael Woyton can be reached at mwoyton@poughkeepsiejournal.com

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