Town says speed sign not needed

The Belgium Town Board did not agree with a recommendation to put up a sign on Jay Road between Sauk Trail and Highway LL recommending drivers slow down.

Resident Kayla Schwabenlander, 595 Jay Road, requested the town put up a sign since her oldest child began taking the bus to Cedar Grove-Belgium schools this year.

While waiting to drop off or pick up her child at the end of the driveway, Schwabenlander said she noticed “multiple cars driving at what appears to be a high rate of speed coming down the hill from the east.”

That, she said in her request, makes her nervous because her child has to cross the road when she gets home from school.

Schwabenlander contacted Johnson Bus, which told her drivers usually put their hazard lights on before going down the hill and look for cars.

She said she is still concerned since her family frequently walks to Clay Ridge from their home.

The speed limit on that stretch of Jay Road is 55 mph.

Supervisors weren’t on board with the request.

“We have a lot of requests for signage,” Supr. Bill Janeshek said. “My take is roads are made to move traffic. That’s why they’re there. You need to keep your children away from the road.”

Waiting for a school bus, he said, doesn’t justify the sign request.

“It’s hard to believe it’s not safe with a school bus with its red lights on,” he said.

Supr. Tom Bichler said he is also against the request.

“Every child is valuable and precious, but there’s enough lights and signs to easily see. People have to slow down and respect vehicles in front of them,” he said.

Resident Dennis Dimmer said a sign may not help.

“I watch people drive through stop signs all the time,” he said.

Town Chairman Tom Winker advised people to be aware of school buses.

“We certainly hope people use common sense and would certainly slow down in the morning and the evening when it’s school time, when they see buses in operation and children and mom and dads waiting for the bus,” he said.

The board took no action on the sign request.