Committee asks DPW to assess Dry Hill Road intersection after speed-trailer data and orders extra patrols

The Public Safety Committee instructed the Department of Public Works on July 16 to inspect Dry Hill Road near the Oak/Kia Road intersection and recommend locations for speed-limit signage and other measures; the committee also asked the police department to add targeted patrols during commute hours.

A resident letter raised concerns about speeding, burnouts and drivers rolling stop signs at the four-way intersection. The police deputy chief reported the city—s speed trailer was deployed for a week on Dry Hill Road and recorded an average speed of 35 mph in the 30 mph zone and an 80th-percentile speed of nearly 39 mph.

"It's a 30 mile an hour zone. The average speed and fiftieth speed are, 35 miles an hour with the 80 fifth percentile being almost 39 miles an hour," the deputy chief said.

Committee discussion noted the intersection is confusing because of offset stop lines and short distances between intersections, and members debated whether the matter fell chiefly under enforcement or engineering. Councilor Sullivan and others urged enforcement and patrols; Councilor Carolli (spoke in favor of signage) asked DPW to review potential locations for one or more posted speed-limit signs and report back next month.

Why it matters: the intersection is on common walking routes and near homes; committee members cited pedestrian-safety concerns from residents who walk evenings and saw aggressive driving. Installing an additional posted speed limit sign or placing signs in both directions were discussed as low-cost interventions (councilors estimated sign installation costs at roughly $200 —$300).

Next steps: DPW will survey the stretch to identify feasible sign locations and report recommendations to the committee at its next meeting. The police department will conduct targeted patrols during commute hours to enforce speed and stop-sign compliance.