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How Soon We Forget
To the Editor:
Exactly four years ago I wrote the following letter to your paper. In those years, our capable Highway Superintendent has demonstrated how drainage is the main key to stable dirt roads. However, the Town Board seems to have forgotten:
1. "Clearing, widening and paving" do not result in fewer accidents. Three times as many accidents occur on Town paved roads (County and State roads are not included) as on the Town dirt roads, mile for mile. Due to increased speed, those accidents are more serious than on the dirt roads. See the map which is part of the Roads Report.
2. The lifetime cost of a dirt road is significantly less than for a paved road. For a full explanation, read the Roads Report and particularly the Woods Engineering study. In fact, there are several ways that Philipstown could save additional monies and have better unpaved roads.
3. The Town, the County, the State and the USA are full of paved roads. Those of us who treasure our narrow, winding, cheaper, dirt roads with fewer accidents (which roads also give us biking, hiking and horse trails) might be left in peace. I understand that many people simply prefer paved roads - fine - enjoy the ones which are already paved, live there and allow others the same consideration.
Betsy Calhoun
Garrison
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