By: Carl Reader
NEW HOPE Speed humps had a little bit of a rough ride Feb. 12 at the Borough Council meeting.
The council voted to install two more traffic-slowing humps on West Mechanic Street and two more on lower Old York Road, despite complaints from residfents who contended some of the town’s existing speed humps are difficult to see and dangerous because they force motorists to go so slow.
"I have almost been rear-ended twice on Ferry Street because I can only go 12 miles per hour," resident Mary Gardner told the council.
Council President Richard Hirschfield said he agreed the humps installed near the Free Library of New Hope-Solebury on Ferry Street were a problem.
"Ferry Street is particularly bad," Mr. Hirschfield said. "You don’t see them (the humps) when cars are parked there when the library’s open."
Borough engineer Bob Larason said there were three different types of speed humps, and the borough had chosen the "least obnoxious" way of marking them. Mr. Hirschfield said something would have to be done about the markings if they create a problem.
"I would hope they (the new speed humps) are better marked than those we have," Ms. Gardner said.
Councilwoman Sharyn Keiser said bids were sent to seven contractors for the construction of the new speed humps on West Mechanic Street and lower Old York Road. Four contractors responded; the lowest bid of $2,424 for each hump was submitted by S and H Landscaping, which won the contract and is scheduled to begin the work in April.
Former councilman Bob Gerenser said he always had been opposed to speed humps, thinking it was best for the police to enforce the speed limits. He said signs were needed, but Mr. Hirschfield said signs were already there. However, Mr. Hirschfield said, if the signs weren’t visible enough, they would have to be made more noticeable.
Mr. Gerenser urged that the issue of installing new speed humps be tabled.
"Since we have a new police chief, can’t this be tabled now until we find out how to deal with the problem?" Mr. Gerenser asked.
Mr. Hirschfield declined to do so.
"Residents want this," he said.
