BY ADAM ATKINSONNorth Country This Week

POTSDAM -- The town is backing a requested speed reduction on Austin Ridge Road.

The town board passed that resolution, as well as approved a bid for cemetery care services, a computer purchase for the town supervisor and a shared services agreement with Pierrepont at its April 9 meeting.

Residents living on Austin Ridge Road have requested a reduction to 45 miles per hour.

The road which connects Route 35 to River Road in Norfolk.

Residents living there, as well as Town Highway Superintendent John Keleher have concerns for the safety of area residents and pedestrian and vehicle traffic on the road which is something of a thoroughfare set at 55 miles per hour.

Residents on the road have presented a petition to the town requesting the reduction.

The highway superintendent has confirmed that there are several areas of limited site distance, unlighted railroad crossing, high volume traffic, along with pedestrian traffic.

The resolution passed by the board said there is also horse-drawn buggy and wagon traffic due to Amish homestead along the route, and there are three seasonal businesses on Austin Ridge Road.

Now that the town has approved the resolution, the matter will go before the state Department of Transportation for final consideration. The town submitted a copy of the resolution, the petition and paperwork requesting the reduction.

Also at the April 9 meeting, the board approved the purchase of a new Dell Optiplex with 24” Monitor and Microsoft Office from Clear Data Solutions for $2,002 for Town Supervisor Marty Miller.

The board also approved a bid from Seaway Valley Lawn Care for $5,500 to mow the 8 town-owned cemeteries five times per year.

Finally, a shared services agreement between the town and the Town of Pierrepont Highway Department was approved.