New Pedestrian/Traffic Safety Board On Horizon In Canton

CANTON, CT — Selectmen are prepared to create an advisory board to focus on traffic/pedestrian safety, an issue dominating the concerns of residents and staff members.

The Canton Board of Selectmen unanimously authorized Canton Chief Administrative Officer Robert Skinner to draft an ordinance to be approved vial a resolution to create the Canton Traffic and Pedestrian Safety Advisory Committee.

The measure will be reviewed at the next selectmen meeting in Canton on Wednesday, May 24.

Once established and appointed, the committee would not have any power to create binding decisions, but it will play a key advisory role to town boards that due.

Selectman William Volovski said this is a critical element to the committee's standing, saying its "input should be taken seriously."

As such, he said committee members would have to guard against frustration when their ideas aren't quickly turned to reality, as funding issues and red tape can hamper efforts for fast change.

According to Canton First Selectman Robert Bessel, the committee would have short- and long-term tasks, namely working as a lead education agency when it comes to pedestrian/traffic safety and work toward comprehensive safety plans in town along those lines.

In recent years, a litany of accidents in town, along with reports of dangerous driving and near misses on Canton roadways, has alarmed both town officials and residents.

Two resident speaking during the audience of citizens earlier this month endorsed the idea of such a committee, saying its a necessary action given the problem at hand.

For the minutes of the May 10 Canton Board of Selectmen meeting, click on this link.

To watch the May 10 Canton Board of Selectmen meeting, click on this link.

For the agenda of the May 24 Canton Board of Selectmen meeting, click on this link.

From Sept. 22, 2022: 'Canton Official To Motorists: 'Slow Down!'