NORWAY – Town Manager David Holt is encouraging any parent or citizen worried about an unmonitored crosswalk near the intersection of Main and Paris streets to let him know if they think the town should hire a new crossing guard.
Some selectmen have also expressed concern about the crosswalk after the previous crossing guard quit his job due to stress.
Selectman Bill Damon said at the last board meeting that it worries him to have children crossing there on their way to Guy E. Rowe Elementary School without someone to help. “I would hate to see any one kid hurt or injured there when we could do something about it,” he said.
After Roger Bathalon quit his post at the crosswalk earlier in October, some parents said they were upset the town had not immediately hired a replacement. Police are surveying the crosswalk to determine whether to hire a replacement or encourage students to use another crosswalk about 150 feet away that is monitored by a school guard.
The school and police have split responsibility for the two crosswalks. The crosswalk in dispute is overseen by police.
Police Chief Rob Federico was out this week and was not available to comment on the issue. Federico has been organizing the surveillance of that crosswalk and has stationed a police officer there to assist children until the matter is settled, he said recently.
Holt suggested at the last board meeting that if Bathalon, 75, quit in part because of the dangers of the job, then perhaps students should also not be using it.
Only a handful of students are known to cross at that spot regularly.
“We think there are six children who cross there every day,” Holt said. He is trying to get in touch with their parents.
Hiring a new guard would cost $2,500 a year, and the police would have to run extensive background checks on prospective hires.
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