Thomas A. Tardif

To the editor:

The traffic lights issue in the aftermath of the fatal accident on North Main Street and Oak Street points out Laconia’s neglect to comply with its own ordinance. In this instance, the neglect may have cost one individual his life, and another his livelihood.

The fatal flaw to the scenarios being put forth are less than accurate, or more on point what they tell us and what is supposed to be may not be the same. From the page 1 picture one light is yellow and the other is red. This is not the first time the timing of lights has come into question or the only location of confusion. Take the light at Messer Street and Rout 107 South (Union Ave.). How many lights are on the right (pole mount) verses the center string of lights? The distinct difference is that the Messer Street lights have a fourth light. More on point is that the top light, the stop light, has a white flashing bar. The police chief was asked what the bar was for and he said he had no idea. The answer is, it is to alert drivers that it is a dangerous intersection, when the white bar is flashing. Otherwise it is a stop light. However, when the red light with white strobe bar flashing accompanied with a green arrow, a vehicle driving south from Route 107 onto Messer Street has the right of way. What’s problematic is that if the walk button is operated, the yellow warning light does not operate. What happens is the green arrow simply disappears. A driver is not allowed reaction time to stop. This driver was exposed to these laws by an erroneous traffic citation in 2004. Unfortunately, subsequent to writing a letter to the editor regarding the safety issues, nothing has changed. Even more alarming is that after that letter was published to alert the public and literate officials, it was brought to my attention that a traffic accident took place between a Belknap County Sheriff’s vehicle at that very junction. Yet nothing changed, why?

What is problematic for sue city is that by Ordinance Chapter 41, the Highway Safety Commission was established to develop and coordinate a highway safety program. “The commission shall have the authority, subject to ratification by the city council, to develop and coordinate a highway safety program for the City of Laconia, including but not limited to… traffic control devices.”

The commission is composed of eight members appointed by the mayor, with the approval of the council. The commission shall be composed of the chief of police, the planning director, director of public works, the fire chief or designate, and a member of the school board; a member the hospital administration; and two members of the general public.

Have you ever seen a notice for a meeting of the highway safety commissioners? When was it last reported that a mayor nominated a member of the public to the commission? When was the bid to contract / privatize the design, sequencing and timing of traffic lights published or voted on by the city council?

What is alarming is that “Generally we don’t touch them at all.” If that were only 100 percent accurate or verifiable. I believe from firsthand experience that public works, police and perhaps fire department supervisors and or employees have keys. The keys should be locked up and signed out when necessary, including any contractors or DPW traffic light maintenance technicians. A log should be maintained for every automatic traffic control device in city limits. Dare any councilor say or do anything about this problem?

Thomas A. Tardif

Laconia