Lorence’s concerns centered around the lack of visible speed signs on Lower Notch Road, with only one sign present and difficult to see. She described a challenging situation of “24-hour speeding racing,” supported by evidence of tire marks and a neighbor’s damaged retaining wall due to a speeding incident. In response, the council expressed a willingness to consider simple yet effective solutions like more signage and potentially limiting truck traffic, provided it aligns with interstate laws.

Further discussions involved the possibility of conducting a traffic study to gather data on speeding patterns, which would help the council understand the extent of the issue and inform future actions. This would involve deploying equipment to monitor traffic over a few weeks, followed by a meeting with local residents to discuss viable solutions, such as speed bumps.

The council also discussed the historical context of the current traffic situation. A past decision to eliminate parking on one side of Lower Notch Road, intended to address parking concerns, may have inadvertently contributed to the speeding problem by widening the road. Members also noted that the reconfiguration of Route 46 has altered traffic patterns, with more drivers now opting to use Lower Notch Road.

In parallel, the council deliberated on the general challenges associated with installing speed humps across the town. Although supported by many residents in principle, there are often objections to their placement directly in front of homes due to cost and inconvenience. It was highlighted that installing speed humps is costly, with each unit ranging between $15,000 and $20,000, and the total cost for a few could reach $100,000. To address community concerns, the council member emphasized the value of gathering resident feedback through a complaint portal to guide targeted speed studies conducted by the police.

In addition to traffic issues, the meeting included expressions of gratitude from residents towards emergency services for their response to a recent fire incident. Another resident, Peter Owski, brought attention to noise pollution from trucks crossing a recently constructed bridge on Route 46. Owski described the noise as disruptive, rendering his backyard unusable. Despite attempts to resolve the matter with the Department of Transportation (DOT), he faced inaction and sought council assistance. The mayor confirmed ongoing communication efforts with the DOT, including reaching out to the senator’s office, albeit with limited success.

The council suggested contacting Commissioner John Bartlett from the county for assistance with Owski’s issue. Despite multiple inquiries, the DOT had remained unresponsive, highlighting the bureaucratic challenges residents face in addressing quality of life issues such as traffic noise.

These included upcoming public health events, such as flu vaccination clinics and a wellness program. There were also discussions about breast cancer awareness events and the successful Spooky Sprint 5K, which saw community participation. Plans for the final Farmers Market of the season and a Halloween event at Wilmore Park were also noted.