Community Corner

Weekend Traffic Jams Have Locals Up in Arms

Local police said this weekend was no worse than others, but packed roadways have some residents demanding a change.

This Columbus Day weekend, beautiful October weather, the Riverhead Country Fair and local pumpkin-picking and farm stands caused heavy traffic jams across the area. Yet local police said this weekend was no different from other weeks.

"It was no worse than any other nice fall weekend prior to Halloween," said Southold Town Police Sgt. Scott Latham. "Last year I remember it being rainy, but hey, when you have a beautiful sunny and warm Columbus Day weekend you're going to get the cars."

Sgt. Latham said that patrols on no-parking zone enforcement are stepped up during busy weekends, and that officers pay close attention to congested areas around Pindar Vineyards and Krupski's farm in Peconic and Harbes Family Farms in Mattituck and Jamesport.

"The guys are cognizant of what's going on and are keeping an eye on those areas this time of year," he said. Riverhead Town Police could not be reached for comment.

Yet despite the average weekend, local traffic issues led some residents to to what they said is a dangerous problem.

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"Sound Ave. during the month of October needs some sort of traffic control," said Bonnie MacDonald, "Cars pull in and out without concern for the oncoming traffic, and people with children just march through the parked cars, unseen, to cross the street. For those of us that live along Sound Ave. getting out of our homes is risky, and almost impossible on the weekends."

Residents suggested the New York State Department of Transportation build underground pedestrian passageways between farms and their parking lots, while others said North Fork towns should post traffic officers to direct pedestrians across the street.

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Others said local farmers need to be more responsible for easing traffic problems near their farms. Vin Ricciardi said Harbes Family Farm in Mattituck needs to do a better job of controlling where pedestrians cross the street on busy days.

"Why can't Harbes rope off his parking lot so it has only one entrance/exit (on each side of the road) and only one place to cross the road," Ricciardi wrote. "Is that too much to ask?"

Another reader wrote, "Harbes needs to get a handle on its parking and pedestrian problem. Southold Police/taxpayers should not have to take care of it for them."

Yet some defended local farmers. Meryl Greenbaum said she "had to go 2 miles per hour" towards home on Sound Avenue, but added there "must be some creative solution" to the area's traffic problem.

"The Harbes are entitled to make a living," she said. "The locals are entitled to travel without being stalled in traffic."

Barbara Kujawski, who lives next to the Harbes' farm, said on the weekend the roads become impassable, but added that was part of living in a tourist-friendly town.

"If I can deal with it so can you. The Harbes family have been good neighbors and give a lot back to the community," Kujawski said. "I would rather have day trippers come and enjoy our beautiful area and then go home than have another housing development with increased every day traffic and more stress on our local schools, roads and other services."


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