Mahopac gets new pedestrian safety beacons outside Villa Barone 

 New pedestrian safety beacons have been installed at the Route 6 crosswalk near Villa Barone Hilltop Manor following a nearly $47,000 state grant secured by state Sen. Pete Harckham. 

Harckham recently visited the site along with Town Supervisor Mike Cazzari, Police Chief Anthony Hoffman, Councilman Rob Kearns and Villa Barone Hilltop Manor co-owner John Crecco to inspect the six new Rectangular Rapid Flash Beacons (RRFB) installed at the crosswalk. 

The user-activated beacons use rapidly flashing amber LED lights to alert approaching motorists that pedestrians are crossing and to encourage drivers to yield. The project also included upgrades to existing crosswalk signage with flashing LED lights. 

According to Harckham, the improvements address a longstanding safety concern for pedestrians crossing the busy state highway between a parking area and the event venue. 

"This important public safety measure is a testament to what we can achieve for the safety of our residents when people work together," Harckham said. "Knowing that pedestrians were often taking risks when walking from a parking lot to the entrance of Villa Barone across a busy roadway, we worked in tandem to help solve this problem without impacting the local taxpayers." 

Harckham credited Cazzari, former Town Supervisor Ken Schmitt, Chief Hoffman, the State Department of Transportation (DOT) and retired staff member Tito Davila for helping advance the project. 

The improvements come after several pedestrian-related accidents in the area over the past several years, including one incident in which a Putnam County sheriff's deputy was struck by a vehicle and seriously injured while directing traffic at the crossing. 

Cazzari said the project demonstrates the value of partnerships between local and state officials. 

"The town of Carmel is very appreciative and thankful to Sen. Harckham," Cazzari said. "Once again, through his perseverance and commitment to public safety, he has provided funding for our police and this warning light and strongly advocated to the DOT to get this much-needed public safety project completed." 

The beacons will be used in conjunction with Carmel police officers assigned to direct traffic during large events at Villa Barone, officials said. 

Crecco said the improvements will make crossing the highway safer for guests attending events at the venue. 

The funding was provided through a State and Municipal Facilities Program (SAM) grant awarded to the Carmel Police Department. The grant was approved by the New York State Senate and administered by the Dormitory Authority of the State of New York to support community and economic development projects.