BY PAUL MITCHELL
North Country This Week

CANTON -- A request to reduce the speed limit on a stretch of County Route 27 will be forwarded to the St. Lawrence County Department of Highways following approval by the town board Thursday night.

The request is to lower the speed limit from 45 miles per hour to 35 miles per hour.

An addendum to that request will be a call to lay double lines to create an all-inclusive no passing zone from the village limits on Riverside Drive to the intersection of the Sykes Road and County Route 32, known as Pelkey's Corners.

Acting on a recommendation from the town's Complete Streets Committee, the matter was unanimously supported by town leaders.

The request was made to the board at its August board meeting by County Route 27 resident Daniel Dominie, He presented a petition signed by 30 residents.

The move was applauded by long-time County Route 27 resident Lynn Soulia who told town officials she has seen first hand dangerous traffic conditions in that area.

"I totally agree with a speed reduction. It's gotten terrible. Part of it is Michel's trucks, cattle trucks and feed trucks," she said. "There are a lot of large vehicles who are obviously not paying attention to the speed limit."

She said equipment posting a vehicle's speed has been set up but that only entices motorists to see how fast they can go.

A letter to the board from David Witherhead and Laurie Poor, who also reside on that route, asked for the creation of a no passing zone and random law enforcement checks in the early morning and late afternoon hours. The letter included them witnessing a car pass a vehicle on the hill in front of the Liberty Apartments in a 30 miles per hour zone on Riverside Drive.

Councilman James T. Smith said the double line request would serve as a good backup if the speed reduction request failed.

"It's totally up to New York State and we have not had too much luck," Smith said.

Councilman Bob Washo said there's a need for more police presence, saying the town should submit a letter to both state police and the county sheriff's office for increased enforcement..

"Even if you lower the speed limit it doesn't mean people will abide by it," he stated.

If the county approved the request, the next step would be reviewed by the New York State Department of Transportation.

Town Supervisor Mary Ann Ashley said she would process the paperwork and get it to the county, with a separate letter citing the creation of a double line roadway.