After crashes, town installs stop signs at N. Merrick intersection

In a short ceremony, Hempstead Town Supervisor and Coucilwoman Angie Cullin announced on Thursday that new safety measures have been put in place at the intersection of Camp and Chapin avenues in North Merrick after a series of accidents there.

Previously, there were two stop signs on Chapin Avenue, but none on Camp Avenue. The town added two stop signs on Camp. In addition, the town will change the single dotted lines on the road to double solid lines to prevent cars from passing each other. Last, stop line bars will be painted on the road to further accentuate the presence of stop signs.

"The safety of our residents is our top priority," said Murray. "The intersection has been the site of accidents, and we are pleased to be able to have the town of Hempstead Traffic Control Division install the necessary signage for the well-being of our residents."

Claudia Borecky, president of the North Merrick Community Association, has petitioned for the installation of four-way stop signs at the intersection for more than a year. According to her, there have been 72 accidents on that road in 10 years -- amounting to one every seven and a half weeks.

On Thursday, a large group of North Merrick residents, along with Murray, Borecky and Nassau County Legislator Dave Denenberg, gathered around one of the new stop signs to celebrate its installation. Also present were Mary Beth Daybyrnes and Lee Wattel, who live at the intersection and have experienced many difficulties in the past.

"Thirty-eight years ago, we moved into this house. Three hours after we moved in, my younger brother was hit by a car. My parents fought for years to get a stop sign. It's a wonderful thing, it really is," Daybyrnes said.

Wattel, who had a car crash into her house two years ago, also expressed relief. "I feel like I'm walking on air," she said.

The supervisor and councilwoman expressed their appreciation to the North Merrick Community Association for collaborating with the town on this issue. "These stop signs will improve the safety for drivers, pedestrians and bicyclists," said Murray. "This is a great day for all of us who travel in the North Merrick area."

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