The City of Kingston Public Safety and Government Committee voted Tuesday to advance changes to the city’s vehicle-and-traffic regulations that establish consistent school speed zones, require updated signage and standardize school‑zone hours to Monday through Friday, 7 a.m. to 4 p.m.

John, a city staff member presenting the legislation, said the amendments are intended to make school speed limits consistent with the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices and to prepare locations for forthcoming school‑speed cameras by ensuring proper signing and legal speed‑zone designations.

Under the amendment package, Kingston High School and several elementary schools will gain formalized school speed zones on streets listed in the draft, including Broadway (segments near the high school), Andrew Street and West O’Reilly for the high school; and Delaware Avenue, Old Orchard Street and Gross Street for JFK Elementary. John said the changes also include non‑speed cleanup items such as clarifying a stop intersection at Fairview and Howland.

A proposed prohibition on U‑turns at Broadway and West Strand was discussed at length but was struck from the ordinance after committee members questioned whether enforcement would be effective and whether the prohibition was necessary. A committee member summarized the majority view, saying they preferred to remove the U‑turn item rather than have it affect unrelated, uncontroversial parts of the package.

Committee members discussed signage details, including whether to use flashing lights on school signs. John and other members said fixed‑hour signage (7 a.m.–4 p.m., Monday–Friday) is generally preferable because flashing lights require power, clocks and maintenance; one member noted that existing flashing signs on Washington Avenue have helped driver compliance but are maintenance‑intensive.

Members also discussed an adjustment period for any speed‑camera enforcement. The presentation noted a request for an RFP is in process for a vendor to operate school‑speed cameras; committee members said an initial warning or grace period before issuing fines is common in other cities and would be appropriate to consider.

After discussion and the removal of the U‑turn prohibition, the committee called the question. The motion to approve the amended package (school speed-zone additions, stop‑intersection cleanup and signage updates) was moved, seconded and carried with members voting in favor.

DPW was identified as the implementing department for signage work; committee members asked staff to ensure signs meet MUTCD standards and minimize sign clutter while providing required warnings, entrance and exit notices for school speed zones.