Committee to review speed-hump pilot results; staff to return with modified options after outreach

Town staff briefed the committee on a removable speed-hump pilot and an associated community survey and proposed deferring a full decision until a detailed staff presentation at a future meeting.

Staff explained that temporary, bolt-in speed hump devices were installed as a pilot to evaluate traffic-calming options before committing to permanent asphalt speed tables. The devices can be reconfigured or removed; staff said some residents want them removed while others want more robust treatments that better enforce lower speeds.

Public commenters and a Safe Routes volunteer framed the discussion around desired outcome speeds: Adrian Silva, an Encinal Elementary Safe Routes parent volunteer, urged the committee to "center the outcome of the speed humps" (for example a target operating speed near schools) and then design devices to meet that objective rather than rely solely on public preference about device feel. Committee members and police staff discussed device geometry and durability: removable devices are lighter-duty and appropriate for pilots, while permanent asphalt tables have different speed-management characteristics.

Why it matters: the pilot informs neighborhood traffic safety choices, especially near schools, but residents differ on acceptable trade-offs (noise, vehicle discomfort, parking or driveway impacts) and on whether devices should be modified or removed in specific locations.

Next steps: staff will prepare a full presentation showing site-specific survey results, images of alternative hump configurations, and recommendations for modification, removal or permanent installation; the item was deferred to the next committee meeting so members and residents can review the attached staff report and data.

Ending: No final action was taken; staff will return with a detailed presentation and timeline for follow-up.