To the editor:
We would like to publicly acknowledge and thank our Ward 5 councilor, Greg Verga, for acting relentlessly to get speed limit signs posted on our street, Woodward Avenue.
Although others had attempted to have speed limit signs placed on Woodward Avenue in the past, he is the man responsible for getting the job done.
Soon after my husband and I called him, Councilor Verga notified Robert Ryan of the Gloucester Department of Public Works, of our request. Mr. Ryan explained to us that, because no speed limits had been posted on our street in the past, it would be necessary to go through the state.
He then installed a monitoring device to determine the traffic patterns and speeds of the drivers. The information he gathered was then sent to state authorities, and, as of a few days ago, we received our signs with the posted speed limit of 15 mph on the more densely settled end of the street, and a speed limit of 20 mph on the less densely settled portion.
Woodward Avenue is often so narrow that, if two cars travelling in opposite directions meet, one or the other of them must pull off the road to allow the other to pass.
Most of the time, it is a matter of courtesy, especially when residents pass, where one waves at the other for their efforts. Sometimes, however, when cars meet one another, one driver charges through, forcing the other off the road.
At last count, there were 17 children under the age of 15 either living or customarily visiting on the street. Although these kids are carefully supervised by parents, grandparents or other caretakers, we all know that accidents do happen.
There are also 15 or so cats here, most of which are kept indoors by their owners, and at least 12 dogs, most of which are kept leashed.
Still, the occasional child may run into the road, a cat may get free of the house or a dog may run out and down to the Little River for a cool swim. We can all see clearly how a tragedy could ensue.
Hopefully, with compliance and enforcement, none of these tragedies need occur.
Again we want to voice our appreciation of Greg's efforts, and of Mr. Ryan's for making our street safer for all of us.
MR. and MRS. RICHARD H. MARCHANT
Woodward Avenue, Gloucester
