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Traffic committee votes to recommend 25 mph for Crawford Street
Summary
After reviewing survey results and enforcement capacity, the Northborough Traffic Safety Committee voted to ask the select board to reduce Crawford Street to 25 mph and to prepare a memo for the board in January.
The Northborough Traffic Safety Committee voted Dec. 9 to recommend that the select board designate the entirety of Crawford Street as a 25 mph roadway, citing resident complaints and enforcement challenges.
Chair introduced the topic and noted the committee’s resident survey showed people view enforcement—not necessarily posted limits—as the primary issue. Chief Brian Griffin told the committee staffing limits constrain continuous enforcement; he said the department has roughly 1.4 officers per 1,000 residents compared with an often-cited FBI benchmark of about 2.4.
After discussion on enforcement practicality and whether speed humps or other calming devices would be appropriate for a collector road, Bridal Cole moved and Kate Gerard seconded a formal recommendation to the select board. The committee conducted a roll-call vote: Bridal Cole — Aye; Kate Gerard — Aye; Rachel Armstrong — Aye; Chair — Aye. The motion carried.
What happens next: Scott Charpentier and Josh Van Hooten will draft a memo to the select board for presentation in January (staff suggested the Jan. 12 select-board meeting), and the police department will continue to deploy mobile radar/speed-alert signs where feasible to gather evidence for any change.
Direct quotes from the meeting include Sergeant McDonald’s enforcement totals: “As of 11 this morning…we had 6,726 stops,” and Chief Griffin’s staffing view: “If we were to increase that staffing… it would make sense to establish…a traffic unit.”
The committee’s recommendation is advisory; any change to a posted limit on a state-numbered or state-controlled section would require coordination with MassDOT or a select-board designation for locally controlled segments.
