Police to Try Pedestrian Safety Idea During Farmers' Market

Westborough Police hope to promote “draw attention to pedestrians” during this Thursday’s Westborough Farmers’ Market by putting a cone in the West Main Street crosswalk near it during the event, Police Chief Alan Gordon told selectmen Tuesday night.

Selectman Leigh Emery said that “almost twice a market, I hear the screech of brakes” near the Congregational Church of Westborough’s front lawn, the market’s location.

The farmers’ market is “much busier than it was last year,” and drawing “a lot of downtown families,” as well as non-residents, Emery said.

Gordon said police previously tried to promote pedestrian safety with signs, each costing $250, which “ended up being in the tires” of vehicles.

“I had it in front of St. Luke’s Church. I had it on Church at West Main Street,” Gordon said. 

“We couldn’t keep them there long. They would get hit.”

Vice Chairman George Barrette asked if there were any issues with calling hours.

“If there were calling hours at either of the funeral homes, that would make it even worse,” he said.

Gordon said that “it hasn’t been an issue that I know of.”

Barrette said the farmers’ market location is “a great spot.”

“But, it’s not a big lawn. If you’ve got kids darting, people crossing the street, maybe it’s outgrown its location,” he said.

Gordon said Bay State Commons isn’t an option because Roche Bros. has a non-competitive clause.

“I agree with you. I think that they’re probably very close to being maxed out on what they can put up there on the lawn. They’re just standing out further and further. It’s a great location for visibility. People drive by, and there’s a lot of traffic,” Gordon said.

Selectman Timothy Dodd said pedestrian flags are an option that’s used mostly in the Western United States.

Flags, possibly sponsored by businesses, are placed in buckets on both ends of the street, he said.

“As they’re walking across, the pedestrian holds the flag,” Dodd said.

The farmers’ market area is “potentially an area where we could try to pilot” a program, he said.

Gordon said the idea “might be something we could look at with Dismas House,” one of the market’s supporters.