The wire episode on streets of Lynn

LYNN – The city?s top inspector vowed quick action Wednesday to repair a Nahant Street traffic signal after Broad Street neighbors called the pole?s exposed wires a “health hazard.”?It?s the first I?ve heard of it, but I will send out someone right away,” Inspectional Services Director Michael Donovan said.Mounted on a rusting metal pole with duct tape wrapped around its base, the signal is missing one of its iron base plates and interior wiring is exposed feet away from where pedestrians, including Harrington School students, walk along Nahant and Broad streets.?It makes me nervous walking by it, and what would it take to repair – 15 minutes?” asked Lewis Street resident Stephen Fronduto.Fronduto walked past the signal on Thursday with his dog, Roxanne, and said the corner of Broad and Nahant streets sees significant pedestrian traffic.?It?s very busy. Kids coming by could get electrocuted,” he said.Inspectional Services oversees traffic-signal maintenance and coordinates new signal work. State tax dollars are paying for new signal installation in Wyoma Square as part of a major ongoing road renovation project, and a city agreement with the CVS Boston Street developer got new signals installed at Boston and Ford streets.CVS developer Tropic Star spent nearly $300,000 purchasing and installing the signal and synchronizing timing for light changes on four other signals around the Boston Street Stop & Shop.The Ford Street signal drew mixed reactions with residents calling it a safety improvement at a busy intersection and business owners complaining about traffic backups. Broad Street neighborhood resident Jennifer Bautista said her neighbors agree the Nahant Street signal needs to be repaired.?This is a busy street. It?s a health hazard and a big concern with children crossing by themselves,” she said.As of 5 p.m. Wednesday, city workers had made temporary repairs to make the signal?s base safe.