French Discusses Pedestrian Safety at School Board Meeting

Mayor Doug French spoke briefly at Tuesday's school board meeting, telling the board that the city of Rye is making efforts to improve traffic safety.

French said the city is making improvements on Liberty Avenue and is currently in the process of receiving bids for work on speed indicators, sidewalks and a crosswalk.

"We already have a public hearing that will look at restricting some of the parking," French said. "What I've asked is during that meeting we look at these traffic safety improvements, so the council can judge is it enough?"

French's comments come in the wake of last Thursday's accident on Midland Avenue.

Christofer Moreira, a fourth grader at Midland School, was hit by an SUV near the intersection of Midland Avenue and Palisades Road.  Moreira suffered a concussion and other injuries, but is recovering.

Police did not charge the 65-year-old woman driving the SUV, because speed was not a factor in the accident, authorities said.

The accident occurred near the same location where 10-year-old Jarrid Amico was hit and killed by a car three years ago.

Jarrid's father, Jim Amico, has been an unwavering advocate for a stop sign at the site of his son's accident. Amico said he and other concerned residents will attend the city council's discussion concerning pedestrian safety at its January 20 meeting.

French said the council's priority is ensuring children are safe.

"I think the issue is about children crossing the street," French said. "It's not about slowing traffic. It's about stopping traffic so children can cross."

Patch reporter Alexandra Gekas contributed to this report.