Old Lyme Road Safety Committee Plans Speed Monitoring, Traffic Sign Improvements

OLD LYME, CT — The Old Lyme Road and Public Safety Committee is considering additional traffic signs and speed monitoring on Saunders Hollow Road as part of ongoing efforts to address traffic safety concerns throughout town.

During its Oct. 13 meeting, the committee also discussed plans to install a speed feedback sign on Town Woods Road, publish traffic data collected by the town's five speed feedback signs and explore grants for road safety improvements.

First Selectwoman Martha Shoemaker attended the meeting and participated in discussions about roadway and intersection safety.

Saunders Hollow Road Traffic Concerns

Committee members discussed whether additional traffic control signs are needed on Saunders Hollow Road.

The committee previously compiled a townwide list of signs requiring replacement and is continuing to identify older signs that may need attention.

Members acknowledged that an increased budget allocation could be necessary to replace additional signs.

Committee member John Flood requested the use of speed monitoring equipment to evaluate vehicle speeds on Saunders Hollow Road.

The proposed equipment would count vehicles and measure speeds rather than photograph drivers or issue citations.

The University of Connecticut's T2 Center previously collected traffic volume and speed data at two locations on Shore Road and along Route 1, also known as Boston Post Road, Town Woods Road, Grassy Hill Road and Four Mile River Road.

Town Woods Road Speed Sign Planned

The committee reported that a speed feedback sign will be installed on Town Woods Road after officials check for underground utilities.

The town's five speed feedback signs are expected to become operational soon.

Members plan to establish a procedure for distributing the information collected by the signs and develop a standard format for reporting the results.

The data will be posted on the committee's pages on the town website.

Intersection And Bridge Safety Discussed

Shoemaker and committee members discussed safety concerns involving selected intersections and bridges.

The discussion included limitations on the town's authority to make improvements involving state highways and railroad bridges.

Committee Chairman Gregory Futoma also reported that he and Shoemaker had discussed traffic safety issues with Old Lyme's new resident state trooper, Garrett Boehm.

The committee expressed interest in working with Boehm and the Police Department on traffic safety matters.

Futoma suggested investigating regional, state and federal grants that could support roadway safety projects.

Traffic Camera Privacy Concerns Reviewed

The committee reviewed new Connecticut laws that took effect Oct. 1 concerning automated license plate readers, driver's license suspensions for failing to stop for school buses, and distracted driving and vehicle operation in highway work zones.

Members also discussed a report submitted by the state's Police Officer Standards and Training Council following a request from Gov. Ned Lamont.

The report addressed privacy, data sharing and information retention associated with speed enforcement cameras and other traffic enforcement technology.

Committee members raised concerns about privacy and agreed to await potential guidance from the Connecticut Department of Transportation and further legislative developments.

The committee did not vote to recommend or implement automated traffic enforcement cameras.

State Highway Safety Planning

Futoma said he planned to attend a Connecticut Department of Transportation workshop concerning updates to the Area Strategic Highway Safety Plan and Vulnerable Roadway Assessment.

Committee Approves Previous Minutes

The committee approved its Sept. 8 meeting minutes without opposition or abstentions.

Ken Swaney made the motion, and Flood seconded it.

Five members attended the meeting: Futoma, Flood, Danielle Kuczkowki, Rosemarie Padovano and Swaney. Bradley Berry, Mary Devins and Sophie Diamond were absent.

The committee met in the American Legion Room at Old Lyme Town Hall. The meeting began at 6:04 p.m. and adjourned at 7 p.m.

No members of the public spoke during the public comment period.