NORTHUMBERLAND — A town councilman concerned about the number of turtles being killed by vehicles on Fortsville Road has been told turtle crossing road signs are not available.

Councilman Paul Bolesh said wetlands exist on both sides of the Saratoga County road and in the spring of 2007 he was shocked by the number of dead turtles in the road.

“I ride my bike along that road almost every day and there were dozens and dozens of squashed turtles on the road last spring,” Bolesh said. “It was very sad to see them, even on the shoulder of the road.”

He said it appeared some motorists had purposely targeted the animals on the sides of the road.

“Some were the size of silver dollars while others were big, maybe eight to 10 inches wide,” he said. “I didn’t see half as many this past spring.”

He speculated the high death rate the previous year was responsible for the decrease in numbers this year.

“There were snapping turtles and painted turtles,” he said.

The peak laying season for the reptiles is May and June and females travel over land to find sandy soil in which to lay their eggs.

Last year, the Northumberland Town Board wrote to Saratoga County Public Works Commissioner Joseph Ritchey asking for “turtle crossing” signs on the road. The answer was no.

Ritchey said the county follows state and federal regulations for traffic signs and small animal signs are not posted.

“I’m authorized to put signs up to warn motorists of animals that might cause a danger to vehicles, such as deer or horses,” Ritchey said. “I can’t recall anyone asking for a turtle crossing sign before this.”

Peter VanKeuren of the state Department of Transportation said guidelines lists only large animals among hazards that are posted on roadway signs.

“We coordinate with the [state Department of Environmental Conservation] in the placement of deer signs locally and moose crossing signs further north,” he said.

He said rural signs indicating duck or other small animals were likely placed by property owners along the route and are not sanctioned by the state.