NORTH CANAAN — The mysterious surveillance equipment sited near Dutchers Bridge last week has been identified.
No, it was not planted in the fence near the turn in the road by some government agency or a Russian spy. It was put there by a fed-up, not-going-to-take-it-anymore property owner, who jokingly calls himself Homeland Security of North Canaan.
The Journal ran a story last week, theorizing about who might own the equipment, which is tucked behind a protective stockade fence on the eastern edge of the bridge between Salisbury and North Canaan. The equipment’s owner saw the article and called to explain what’s going on.
Charlie Wells, who lives in a historic home at the bend in the road, has decided to do something about the number of motor vehicle accidents on the nearby bridge and curve in Route 44. He is videotaping accidents — reported and unreported — and he hopes to draw a true picture of the extent of the danger there. Humor helps him through the stress of living through the chaos on the road.
The bridge was the site of a fatal crash a few years ago, when a truck crushed an SUV, killing the driver. Her teenaged son survived.
The Endangered Mailbox
Wells’ mailbox is across the street from his house, on a sturdy sawed-off telephone pole. The post office won’t let him move the box to his side of the street, and he has resorted to renting a post office box.
But he does occasionally use his streetside box for outgoing mail. Not long ago, an out-of-control truck dumped a load of mulch on the box, which contained a large check Wells was mailing out.
"I decided I’d better get the check out. I dug through the mulch, but the box was too smashed to open. It took the firemen’s Jaws of Life to open it," he said, referring to the device used to open cars that have been crushed in crashes so the driver and passengers can be rescued.
"I’ve replaced my mailbox so many times, I’ve gotten so good at it I can now drive to Lindell’s, buy a new one and have it up before the accident is cleared," Wells said.
For Wells, it’s not just about replacing mailboxes, which he said he needs to "buy by the case." Nor is it the sounds of screeching brakes and the hit-and-runs he later discovers on his tapes.Documenting the Slams, Bangs
"The new bridge is just so dangerous. The DOT [state Department of Transportation] and the police need to know the extent of what goes on there. It’s like a race track. The road and the bridge are poorly engineered. The state should be sued for every accident because of the faulty design."
The current bridge was erected in the 1990s, and replaced an older version that was considered even more difficult to negotiate.
Wells put up a spotlight, which he rarely uses, and a camera, which does not run continuously.
"I have it on a timer for those busy times, when we know we’re likely to hear the slamming and banging out there. The streetlight gives enough light for a good picture at night. I can also turn it on from the house when something is going on."
After a motorcycle accident there injured two people last October — a woman had to be flown out by LifeStar helicopter — Wells sent his tape of the incident to the state police.
"I recently got a call from Troop B saying I could come and pick it up," Wells said. "I’m not sure if they looked at it or not."
Troop B Master Sergeant John Forst told The Journal this week the story in last week’s edition brought the camera to the attention of the police. He does not know if the tape was used in the motorcycle accident investigation.
According to Forst, North Canaan Resident State Trooper Bob Janco will be looking into any legalities that might apply, as well as how the equipment might be used to remedy safety issues.
"I personally think it’s not a bad idea," Forst said. "Cameras and microphones in our cruisers have been helpful." House There Before Cars, Road
Wells and his wife, Sue, have been living in his boyhood home since 1994. In fact, his family bought the land from Native Americans. It was later owned by the Dutcher and VanDeusen families, before the Nobles bought it back.
The 1825 house was originally a schoolhouse located on the current site of St. Joseph’s Church. It was later moved and has recently been completely restored.
The Wellses have reluctantly tried to sell, but the location scares buyers away. They have even considered moving it to a new location.
"The DOT doesn’t want to do anything about the road, but when we put up the fence because it was like living in a fishbowl, they were out here immediately saying we had to move it back."
He made a call to state Sen. Andrew Roraback (R-30), and is contemplating making a "compilation tape" that will document the real number of accidents there.
Roraback told The Journal this week he plans to write to the DOT and ask for recommendations for safety improvements.
He acknowledged the agency is likely to reiterate studies done there recently. He also warned that more signs will be an eyesore, and their impact will be debatable.
"It’s a start," he said. "I for one long for the old Dutchers Bridge, where drivers were forced to slow down. What was accomplished with the new bridge seems to be more about urging drivers to go faster than increasing safety."