Their side of the story

The Hartley-Melvin-Sanborn Community School District has sent a letter to the City of Hartley affirming its support of a controlled pedestrian crosswalk on Highway 18.

The letter, which was signed by Superintendent Patrick Carlin and Board President Scott Vollink, was sent to provide "clarity on the current reality and position of the school." It states that H-M-S is in "full support" of enhancing and utilizing the existing crosswalk location at North Sixth Avenue West pending an approved plan by the Iowa Department of Transportation, the city and the school district.

Accompanying information includes a letter sent by the district in August of 2022 to the Rural Enrichment Grant Committee. That letter indicated support of the Hartley Recreational Trail Committee's effort to assist with a safe crossing.

Also included were reports of discussions at board meetings with trail committee regarding placement of RRFB at the existing crosswalk, as well as questions about the viability of that location and confirmation from the city that it is.

The timeline also notes the trail committee had indicated it was changing the proposed location of the RRFB and that conversations with the district "were no longer needed."

Carlin and Vollink also participated in a recent virtual meeting with city and DOT officials and trail committee members, during which it was determined that an alternate location for the RRFB near St. Joseph's Catholic Church was not viable. The DOT requires that a crosswalk must be located at a controlled intersection.

"I don't have a good explanation as to why the school is being blamed in this matter, but these are the facts as I know them," Carlin concluded.

The district's letter thanks city officials for their "continued communication and collaboration as the city continues their efforts towards a safe crossing."