At Monday’s work session, Councilman Jeff Russell, R-At Large, brought the issue to the council, saying that the school would also like to see the guide rail returned.

“I’ve written an email to Mark about a guide rail that had been removed up by Persell School, in front of the school when we redesigned the roadway,” Russell said. “I’ve had some people have some concerns. I’ve talked to the superintendent and also President (Paul) Abbott from the school board. I asked them if they’d like to see that back and they said they’d like to see that placed back.”

Russell said others did not think it needed to be because of the redesign, but that he would like to go up and see it for himself. He added that the school mentioned possibly also kicking in some money to help replace it.

For Russell, the main concern is child safety.

A motorist makes a turn at the new intersection of Baker Street and Hazeltine Avenue, near Persell Middle School. P-J file photo by Michael Zabrodsky

“My concern is, for that turn down there it is a lot more gradual and people have to slow down,” Russell said. “Not everyone slows down because not everyone obeys the vehicle and traffic laws, and it’s going to get slippery there and I’m concerned about people could come down and go around that turn and end up in the front lawn of the school and possibly strike a child.”

Russell gave an example of fifth grade students hanging out in the area and waiting for pickup before and after school, saying his main concern was for their safety. There was also a suggestion from the council about looking at different kinds of techniques for blocking that area that could be a bit less expensive.

Students being hit while crossing Hazeltine Avenue prompted the intersection redesign. An incident in December 2021, and other close calls prompted the district to increase the presence of staff outside the school during student drop-off and pick-up to make sure students could get across the busy street more safely while other safety measures were discussed.

The project was designed by city Public Works engineers and paid for by Chautauqua County and also includes new crosswalks.

Baker Street was also narrowed from four lanes to two travel lanes with a turning lane from the city line to Hazeltine Avenue as part of the project.