Video: Audible street signal for blind disturbing residents

The constant beeping of an audible street signal installed to help  the visually impaired cross safely at the intersection of Youngs Avenue and Route 25 in Southold is causing headaches for neighbors and business owners.Youngs Avenue resident Robert Maddalena raised the issue during the Town Board’s regular meeting Tuesday night. Both said the continuous sounds was hindering their quality of live saying that the crosswalk signal was “overkill” for what is generally a quiet area.

“We support the blind community and would like to work together to find something that would have less of an impact on the public soundscape,” he said.

Main Street business owner, and former Town Board candidate, Ron Rothman echoed Mr. Maddalena’s concerns.

“It probably the biggest detriment to the quality of life,” Mr. Rothman said. “This is really unacceptable.”

The sound emitted from the street signal is higher than permitted under town’s noise ordinance, he added. Mr. Rothman said he measured beeping at 80 decibels. Under the town’s code, noise up to 65 decibels is acceptable between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. Sunday through Thursday and between 7 a.m. and 11 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays. At other times, noise cannot be louder than 50 decibels.

Mr. Rothman hoped the board could find a way to have the levels of signal sound adjust to the amount of traffic in the area.

“There must be some other option,” Mr. Rothman said.

Southold Town Supervisor Scott Russell said he wasn’t aware of the issue and would look into finding a solution.