Spaniard’s Bay council deliberates on three-way stop for Church Hill Road

By Olivia Bradbury/Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

At their recent meeting on October 1st, the Spaniard’s Bay council members discussed a request sent from a resident to install a three-way stop on Church Hill Road.

Town Manager Tony Ryan explained the writer was a resident of Rectory Avenue who asked if council could install a three-way stop at the intersection of Church Hill Road and Rectory Avenue.

Mayor Paul Brazil said when council scouted places to add stops, it did consider Church Hill Road. The reason the location was not chosen during the “pilot” run of the stops was because it was feared it could cause problems during church services such as funerals.

“All the traffic having to come to a dead stop, one at a time, that would be a massive headache during those periods,” said Brazil.

Councillor Darlene Stamp suggested that perhaps during funerals there could be a flag person to help direct traffic.

However, Councillor Paul Ryan voiced another concern about the location, arguing it would be a difficult location for a three-way stop because it would be on a hill.

Mayor Brazil suggested that council table the request for the time being and perhaps revisit it after they evaluate the stops that have already been added in other parts of town. He also suggested council ask for input from the Anglican Church community.

Councillor Stamp, on the other hand, said if council were to add a three-way stop on Church Hill Road as requested, it could evaluate it to see whether the issues they were concerned about arose.

Deputy Mayor Tammy Oliver, however, said that might lead to an influx of requests for more stops.

Councillor Sherry Lundrigan voiced her agreement with the resident who wrote the letter, adding the location would benefit from a three-way stop, citing her own experience of bringing her children to school in that area for years.

“If any place, I think, is going to be an area that would be beneficial for a target area I think that area would be, just to see,” said Lundrigan, noting the area already has a speed bump. Councillor Stamp then made a motion to put a three-way stop on Church Hill Road on a trial basis, and Councillor Lundrigan seconded it.

Mayor Brazil said he thought it was a good idea but felt that, out of respect, they should reach out to the church community to get their thoughts.

Deputy Mayor Oliver added that they could get the input of the Spaniard’s Bay Legion, as well, which is also in that area.

Brazil said that since installing, and then potentially removing, a three-way stop would be an expense for the Town, it would be prudent to get the input before doing anything.

Put to a vote, councillors Stamp, Ryan, and Lundrigan voted in favour of installing the stop, while councillor Debbie Newman, Deputy Mayor Oliver, and Mayor Brazil voted against it. The three-way tie meant the motion was defeated.