Hellertown Police Flag 99 MPH Reading on Easton Road

Hellertown Police Chief James Baitinger presented Easton Road speed-sign data to borough council Oct. 5, including a reading of 99 mph. Baitinger said he was taking a closer look at when extreme speeds were occurring.

Other business at Monday’s council meeting included the swearing-in of Christina Olson to the Planning Commission.

Chief Examines Speed-Sign Data

Baitinger presented July and August data from the Easton Road sign, including the 99 mph reading listed for July 28 in the borough’s speed-sign report. He warned that extreme speeds leave drivers little time to react to someone entering the road.

“I’ve seen accidents at those speeds. You cannot stop, and you will not survive. Your organs will not survive that type of impact,” Baitinger said. “So, that’s really disheartening to me. And I don’t know what it is, but I could break down the times, and I’m going to do a deeper dive on these and see, because in the past two months, I’ve been able to get it down to a couple of days, and when I find that person, they will be held accountable.”

“When I saw these numbers, I got a little bit angry,” Baitinger added.

He told council he could break the data into 15-minute intervals to help determine when officers should be available for enforcement.

The chief had not established whether the highest readings potentially involved one driver or several. He also said the system did not distinguish between a car and a motorcycle.

There were limits to the data, particularly the reported average speeds of about 15 to 16 mph. Baitinger said the vendor told him the sign was probably picking up bicycles and pedestrians, pulling those averages down.

He was working with the company on settings that could improve the quality of the data. Baitinger also said the sign was showing that some drivers slowed after their speed was displayed.

“We want the behavior to change, and as long as we get that, then we’re winning,” he said. 

A second sign, removed from a Verizon pole on Constitution Avenue, had been relocated to Walnut Street near the school zone.

Residents Raise Traffic Concerns 

During public comment, a Washington Street resident who lives near CVS said drivers were traveling the wrong way on a one-way street and described a close call involving a child on a bicycle. He said unfamiliar drivers had told him navigation directions sent them that way.

“I’m just afraid someday somebody’s going to get hurt,” the resident said. Council members discussed reporting the routing problem to Google and whether changes near the parking lot could discourage the shortcut, but no specific remedy was approved.

A second resident requested speed-limit signs and raised concerns about drivers ignoring stop signs. Officials discussed reviewing sign placement with police and public works.

Parking Review Authorized 

Council authorized staff and Borough Engineer Bryan Smith to evaluate Clauser Street and Gum Alley for possible additional parking restrictions. A resident said trash and recycling trucks were struggling to turn when vehicles parked near the intersection, resulting in curb damage.

The discussion included clearing parking farther back from the intersection and potentially limiting restrictions to collection days. Those were possibilities, not adopted rules.

Council President Lynley Solt said any resulting restrictions would be considered with the proposed Kichline Avenue parking changes under the same ordinance.

Other News: Olson Sworn In; Vehicle Bid Tabled

• Solt administered the oath of office to Christina Olson as a Planning Commission member.
• Council tabled accepting a bid for a retired 2003 Ford Crown Victoria the borough owns after Borough Manager Cathy Hartranft explained that bids were not due until Oct. 9. 
• Council also took no action on a request for a letter supporting a Route 309 improvement grant. Members raised questions about the project’s plans and potential effects, and no motion was offered.
• Councilwoman Cathy Leibensperger announced two library board openings for three-year terms beginning in 2027. Interested residents were directed to contact Ali Finkbeiner at the library.

The next Hellertown Borough Council meeting is scheduled for Monday, Oct. 19 at 7 p.m.