Fairfield To Prune Trees Covering Speed Camera Warning Signs: Officials

FAIRFIELD, CT — As Fairfield residents grapple with the town's new speed cameras at six school zones, some have complained about one thing.

The inability to see some of the signs due to leaf coverage from nearby trees.

Town officials have heard the criticism, and are vowing to address it.

"Thank you to those residents who reached out to let us know that some signs have been difficult to see with leaf growth this spring," officials wrote on Facebook (see below). "Please know that the Town of Fairfield is responding to concerns about tree branches that may be covering signs warning drivers that they're entering School Zones."

The speed camera program went live on May 1, and on June 1, the town will begin issuing tickets to those caught speeding through the zones.

Cameras are installed at the following schools:

• Dwight Elementary School on Redding Road
• Notre Dame Preparatory School on Jefferson Street
• Burr Elementary School on Burr Street
• Riverfield Elementary School on Mill Plain Road
• Fairfield Ludlowe High School on Unquowa Road
• Fairfield Warde High School on Melville Avenue and Knapps Highway

Revenue from the program is projected to raise millions of dollars, according to officials, but Fairfield Police Chief Michael Paris says raising money is not the program's goal.

A similar speed camera program in Greenwich was ended after a few months due to complaints from residents.

"If someone receives a mailed infraction after speeding through one of our school zones and that experience causes them to slow down the next time they drive through town, I consider that a success," Paris said in a statement. "If a citation changes behavior before a crash occurs, then this program has done exactly what it was intended to do. I would much rather someone be frustrated receiving a fine in the mail than have officers knocking on a family’s door in the middle of the night delivering tragic news that cannot be undone."

Officials ask that residents who have difficulty seeing the warning signs because of trees should contact the town.

"If you have concerns about leaf coverage of signs, please report it to firstselectperson@fairfieldct.org," officials said.

Signs were placed where they are, because Fairfield is following Connecticut's Office of the State Traffic Administration guidelines on how the signs must be displayed, officials said.

"As more municipalities roll out School Zone speed enforcement throughout the state, the intent is to make each town or city identical so that as drivers move between town borders the signs remain the same," officials said.

For more information on OSTA guidance, click here.