— — It’s almost decision time on the fate of a handful of stop signs in the City of Tonawanda.

The city’s traffic board has examined the locations of stop signs in the first two wards and forwarded its recommendations to the city council, which could make a decision this month.

Traffic Board member Fred Foels, who is also a city police lieutenant, offered the group’s findings at an informal council session Tuesday. There are nine intersections where signs could be removed, five in the first ward and four in the second.

The signs under consideration stop traffic heading:

• North and south on Frederick Road at Willowbend Road in the first ward.

• East and west on Canton Street at Cranbrook Road in the first ward.

• South on Penarrow Drive at Westbourne Drive in the first ward.

• North on Penarrow Drive at Willowbend Road in the first ward.

• East and west on East Niagara Street at Douglas Street in the first ward.

• North and south on William Street at Broughton Street in the second ward.

• East and west on Lepeirs Drive at Clarence Harder Drive in the second ward.

• East and west on Tussing Lane at Sutley Court in the second ward.

• East and west on Tussing Lane at Clarence Harder Drive in the second ward.

Foels said the recommendations are based on observations made by members at each intersection and traffic statistics.

“Our members drove there and watched,” Foels said. “The few we’ve taken out already, the traffic hasn’t missed a beat.”

For example, Foels said they received “a lot of grief” from school officials when they removed stop signs a few years ago at the intersection of Rogers Avenue and Taylor Drive. However, he said there are no complaints today about the current setup.

Still, some councilmembers warned that city residents will be wary of removing signs.

“Stop signs only matter to people when it’s their sign,” Council President Carl Zeisz said, evoking the “not in my backyard” concept.

Foels suggested the council consider attaching a six-month sunset clause when it decides which signs to remove. This would allow the city to put in action changes to the traffic code and collect data to see how drivers react.

According to Foels, some stop signs are simply unnecessary. For example, the signs on Canton Street at Cranbrook aren’t needed because Cranbrook is a “T” style intersection, and Canton dead-ends two houses east of Cranbrook.

“You don’t need a stop sign for a dead end,” Foels reasoned.

The East Niagara Street signs at Douglas could face resistance. Zeisz and Second Ward Councilman Blake Boyle appear opposed to opening up East Niagara too much.

“That’s a long way to go without a stop,” Zeisz said.

Added Boyle, “you could really rev it up.”

The traffic board is still reviewing intersections in the third and fourth wards.