By JIIMMY LAWTON

OGDENSBURG -- Two residents of Riverview Towers are asking the council to keep a no right on red sign two intersections frequented by senior citizens.

Sandy Sanders and Pam Smith spoke during the public comment portion of the Monday meeting with hopes of convincing council to keep “no turn on red light signs” at the intersections of Ford and Washington Streets and Green Street and State Highway 68.

The issue was brought up by City Councilors Dan Skamperle and Michael Morley at previous city council meetings. At that time Skamperle asked if the signs could be removed or be replaced with signs stating no right turn when pedestrian is in the crosswalk.

Skamperle suggested the wait at the light was unnecessarily long. Department of Public Works Director then reached out the State Department of Transportation to see if the sensors could be reviewed and adjusted for timing and sensitivity to ensure wait times were not unnecessarily long.

Thornhill reported Monday to the council that DOT had agreed to review both intersections.

Sanders, who spoke at the Monday meeting, told council that while she understood long waits at the intersection could be frustrating, she said the signs could save lives. She said close calls at the intersection near Riverview Drive are common and dangerous.

She said many of drivers in Ogdensburg are unwilling to yield for pedestrians and suggested that removing the sign could make them even less likely to do so.

Smith echoed that sentiment.

“They do not wait for people and pedestrians in the crosswalks,” she said.

Smith said she would like to see more handicapped accessible crosswalks and sidewalks installed and pleaded with councilors not to alter either intersection.

Councilors Jennifer Stevenson and David Price both questioned the need to remove the signs since they were installed after requests from citizens.

Council did not act on the matter Monday and will wait to hear back from DOT to discuss the matter further.