The committee’s discussion on school zones highlighted a gap in communication and promotion efforts for the iWalk program, a safety initiative encouraging families to walk to school. A member involved in school initiatives reported a significant drop in family participation from the previous year, attributing the decline to budget constraints and staffing changes. The lack of consistent promotional updates from the superintendent’s office was noted as a contributing factor, prompting suggestions for principals to engage more by conducting automated calls to boost participation. The program will see increased police escorts this year and will include a new rally point and an additional participating school.

The committee underscored the necessity of a comprehensive communication strategy to engage families and the community in school safety initiatives. Members expressed frustration with the superintendent’s communication approach, particularly the shift from written correspondence to video messages, which some deemed less accessible. The conversation also touched on the curriculum for cycling safety, with participation from Wildwood and Crocker schools, although engagement from all schools remained a challenge.

Infrastructure projects were another major focus of the meeting. Discussion revealed progress on North Pleasant Street, managed by Warner Brothers, with paving nearing completion and the inclusion of backend parking and a counterflow bike lane. The committee deliberated on the status of raised crosswalks, particularly one north of the intersection with Mlen, and expressed concerns about the directional flow of traffic on the newly paved road. There were also updates on the West Street redesign, contracted to Caracus, and concerns raised about the impact of concurrent projects on traffic flow.

The committee explored the potential extension of a multi-use path along Southeast Street, considering existing road constraints and the implications for pedestrian crossings during peak school hours. The necessity for educating drivers on roundabout usage was emphasized, as improper yielding practices were identified as a safety concern. This was particularly relevant given the planned installation of four closely spaced roundabouts, which raised fears of traffic congestion during school drop-off and pick-up times. The potential for drivers to divert to alternative routes, increasing strain on nearby streets, was also noted.

A point of discussion was the new rule allowing police to use radar on any road in town, regardless of signage. This change was intended to streamline the ticketing process by relying on radar evidence rather than subjective judgment. However, concerns were raised about the potential for complications on roads without posted speed limits, prompting a suggestion to invite the police chief to a future meeting for further clarification.

The committee also addressed the Chapter 90, Section 17C, which permits lowering default speed limits to 25 miles per hour in densely settled areas. Members discussed the progress of speed limit signage updates and the need for clarity on which roads qualify for the reduced limit. Differences in speed limit approaches taken by neighboring communities were considered, with some debate over the necessity of maintaining signage in areas where the default limit applies.

Lastly, the meeting touched on committee vacancies, with one vacancy remaining unfilled for over a year. The chair expressed optimism about recruiting new members, referencing a list of candidates provided by the town manager’s office. The potential establishment of a Transportation Commission was also discussed, drawing insights from recent Transportation and Sustainability Committee meetings. The committee expressed eagerness to engage in discussions about transportation projects, including parking and the Southeast roundabout plans.