Local News
New Stop Sign Installed at Corner of Maple and Sunset
"Virtually indistinguishable from old one," says Chief of DPW
by Larry St. James, Our Town Staff
Early this morning, residents of Maple Dr. and Sunset Ln. were greeted by Chesterfield Ridge's newest citizen. No, it wasn't actor and mayoral candidate Stanley Tucci (keep your fingers crossed, ladies!), but rather a brand new stop sign! More than that, the new sign is Chesterfield Ridge's first new stop sign in over two years. (For those short on memory, the last time the Department of Public Works was seen installing signs around town was last December during one of the regions worst snow storms. The reflective neon sign read: "CAUTION: ICE"). Let's get to know our new neighbor, shall we?
The sign stands just over eight feet tall and was installed, says DPW Chief Bill Parker, "For the same reason the old one was." And while this new sign looks similar to the old one, it is not identical. The new sign has a bit more of a reflective quality, important to nighttime drivers, and uses a slighter thicker font to spell out STOP. Also, the pole that it is attached to is decked out in green and silver reflective tape, another safeguard against careless nighttime driving.
Says Safety Signs (the company who handles our DPW's orders) spokesperson Ted Blaczjowski, "This season we're seeing a lot of color, a lot of reflective tape. Sure, it increases the visibility of the signs, but it also lends a certain personality to the pieces." He lovingly picked up an orange "Utility Work Ahead" sign and caressed it. "Now this sign, sure it has a function, it's got utility, it's saying, 'Hey, stop right there! Be careful!' you know? But it also has something more: it has a heart."
Although the new sign is different, and even full of personality, surely these subtle changes do not merit the new installation. So what gives? Detecting a deeper story, I went around Bill Parker's office, hot on the trail of a big scoop. After a little misunderstanding with the security company and the town police (who knew "breaking and entering" was such a blanket term?), I was finally able to get to Parker at his home on Fig Street. Says Parker, "It's a stop sign, what do you want me to tell you? The old one was weather-beaten and was hard to see behind that tree, so we got a bigger one. That's all. Now please stop calling me."
Unconvinced, I tried several times to contact Parker's supervisor, Alan Spalding. Mr. Spalding could not be reached for comment, but his secretary did give me this HOT TIP: "Looks like an order's been placed for a new "School Crossing" sign as well as a replacement "Do Not Enter" sign for one that was damaged."
I know I'm onto something, I just don't know what...yet.
Stay tuned...
New Stop Sign Installed at Corner of Maple and Sunset
"Virtually indistinguishable from old one," says Chief of DPW
by Larry St. James, Our Town Staff
Early this morning, residents of Maple Dr. and Sunset Ln. were greeted by Chesterfield Ridge's newest citizen. No, it wasn't actor and mayoral candidate Stanley Tucci (keep your fingers crossed, ladies!), but rather a brand new stop sign! More than that, the new sign is Chesterfield Ridge's first new stop sign in over two years. (For those short on memory, the last time the Department of Public Works was seen installing signs around town was last December during one of the regions worst snow storms. The reflective neon sign read: "CAUTION: ICE"). Let's get to know our new neighbor, shall we?
The sign stands just over eight feet tall and was installed, says DPW Chief Bill Parker, "For the same reason the old one was." And while this new sign looks similar to the old one, it is not identical. The new sign has a bit more of a reflective quality, important to nighttime drivers, and uses a slighter thicker font to spell out STOP. Also, the pole that it is attached to is decked out in green and silver reflective tape, another safeguard against careless nighttime driving.
Says Safety Signs (the company who handles our DPW's orders) spokesperson Ted Blaczjowski, "This season we're seeing a lot of color, a lot of reflective tape. Sure, it increases the visibility of the signs, but it also lends a certain personality to the pieces." He lovingly picked up an orange "Utility Work Ahead" sign and caressed it. "Now this sign, sure it has a function, it's got utility, it's saying, 'Hey, stop right there! Be careful!' you know? But it also has something more: it has a heart."
Although the new sign is different, and even full of personality, surely these subtle changes do not merit the new installation. So what gives? Detecting a deeper story, I went around Bill Parker's office, hot on the trail of a big scoop. After a little misunderstanding with the security company and the town police (who knew "breaking and entering" was such a blanket term?), I was finally able to get to Parker at his home on Fig Street. Says Parker, "It's a stop sign, what do you want me to tell you? The old one was weather-beaten and was hard to see behind that tree, so we got a bigger one. That's all. Now please stop calling me."
Unconvinced, I tried several times to contact Parker's supervisor, Alan Spalding. Mr. Spalding could not be reached for comment, but his secretary did give me this HOT TIP: "Looks like an order's been placed for a new "School Crossing" sign as well as a replacement "Do Not Enter" sign for one that was damaged."
I know I'm onto something, I just don't know what...yet.
Stay tuned...
