Highway Commissioner Henry Sikorski, presented the board with a draft report from the Sear-Brown Group that determined the feasibility of using an alternative route for non-local truck traffic on Plandome Road. The alternative route identified for the diverted truck traffic begins with the intersection of Plandome Road/Northern Boulevard. Instead of heading north-south on Plandome Road, trucks would continue east-west on Northern Boulevard to the intersection of Northern Boulevard/Port Washington Boulevard. They would then head north-south on Port Washington Boulevard to the intersection of Port Washington Boulevard/Main Street. Finally, the trucks would travel east-west on Main Street and connect with their previous route at the intersection of Main Street/Shore Road.

The study concluded:

* That diverting non-local truck traffic onto the proposed alternate route should improve pedestrian safety and the quality of life for the residents living along Plandome Road.

* That the proposed route appears to be structurally in good shape and well maintained.

* That diverted truck traffic should not significantly cause deterioration of current operating conditions along the alternative truck route or at associated intersections. Based on conservative estimates, diverted truck traffic will amount to less than one additional truck per minute traveling along the alternative route during a peak commuter period.

* That trucks will experience more delay while traveling the proposed route. This delay will be the result of distance traveled and capacity constraints at the various intersections.

Based on these conclusions, Sear-Brown recommends that the village pursue the restriction of non-local truck traffic on Plandome Road with the caveat that appropriate guide and restrictive signs be posted at Northern Boulevard, Shelter Rock Road, and Shore Road. Sear-Brown also recommends that an after-study of the alternative route be undertaken to ensure compliance if the restriction of non-local truck traffic be adopted.

From these findings, the board unanimously approved the next phase, which is a state environmental quality review (SEQR). Sear-Brown will assist the village in its declaration as a lead agency and prepare a full environmental assessment form with the results ready for early 1999.

In addition to the truck traffic, the board also addressed the issue of speeding on Brookside Drive. The board has proposed the installation of six additional stop signs along the road. Presently, four signs are installed on Brookside Drive, located at Heights Road, Westgate, and North Drive. The new signs for Brookside Drive are proposed for Valley Road (SW), Westgate (SW), South Drive (SW & SE), and Plandome Drive (SW & NW).

A public hearing will be held at the Jan. 12 board meeting to discuss the pros and cons of this course of action. In conjunction with the installation of the signs will be the request for aggressive police enforcement of the speed limit on Brookside Drive.

At the Jan. 12 meeting, the board will also receive the recommendation from the fire truck purchase committee, headed by Joan Blascovitch, as to the purchase of a fire truck that is expected to serve the community for the next 30 years. At present, the committee has narrowed its selection down to four configurations from the 10 originally submitted by the seven bidders on the project. Depending on the options chosen, the truck is expected to cost approximately $250,000 with delivery for late 1999.

The next board meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, Jan. 12 at the Village Hall.