The Somerset reporter., 1906-11-29


The above incident brings to mind
some matters in connection with the
crossings at Water and Russell streets
and Mt. Pleasant avenue. something
| like eighteen months ago the selectmen
took up the matter of these crossings
with the railroad people, representing
that some changes were needed to pro-
vide greater safety at these points The
Maine Central received the suggestions
courteously and the result of the refer
ence was the placing of flagman or
crossing tender at the Mt Pleasant
avenue crossing, who is on duty through
out the da,. Arrangements were also
made by the railroad to Lave one of their
employees stationed on Water street
crossing during the time that the even
ing passenger train is being switched to
it's place for the night At the same
conference the termination of the Rus
sell street sidewalk at the corner of the
|
a place of especial danger. The select
men felt that double gates should be
established to protect both sides of the
track on both Water and Russell streets,
an arrangement which would also pro.
vide the necessary protection to Pc
destrians as they approached the crogs
| - rai AaA
rather demurred at converting the pre-
sent set of single into double gates and,
indeed, it is not entirely clear that gates
on both sides of the track for the entire
distance would afford much additional
protection, but they conceded that the
gate at the end of the sidewalk on Rus
sell street was necessary and promised
to establish it. This was over one and
one-half years since but the gate has
never been put in p ace. Inquiry made
recently at the selectmen's office ELECTED
the fact that Chief Engineer Dunn of the
Maine Central system was expected here
and that 1t was purposod to remind him
of the promise of the road with regard
to the gate. On later inquiry it was
found that Mr. Dunn did not come when
expected and that, as the season was SO
far past when the work could be best
done the selectmen did not wish to
| press the matter.
The place to be protected by the gate
in question is certainly one of great dan
ger at any time and never so much 80 as
in the winter months, when, In addition
to the usual traffic. there are frequent
trips over this CROSSING by trains remov-
ing snow from the yards In the cold
season, moreover, In the effort to pro
tect the face and ears from the cold, and
hearing is often interfered with, 80 that
the sound of the cars does not give its
usual warning. 1t is we'll enough to be
considerable in our demands, even when
asking for things to which we have an
updoubted right, and If the matter OF
the Russell street gate had been breach
|
necessity were less imperative, we could
commend the selectmen for their mode
ration, but after delay of one and one
half years it does not seem that the sug
gestion that the present season Is un'
favorable for such work, even If true
should be urged as reason for further
delay. Our citizens have been taking
chances for an indefinite period at this
particular point, where single step al
an unguarded moment may bring one in
front of moving train, and 1t would
seem to be the plain dnty of our mum
cipal officers to see that the protection
promised long ago, is Immediately fur
nished.