Brentwood Select Board lowers speed limits on three town roads

The Brentwood Select Board voted April 21 to lower the posted speed limit from 30 to 25 miles per hour on Dalton Road, Mill Road and all three sections of Crowley Falls Road after the police presented traffic studies for each roadway.

Police Chief (speaker identified in the meeting as "Chief") told the board officers monitored and documented vehicle speeds and observed pedestrians in the corridors. ‘‘On Crowley Falls Road … the highest speed on that road was 39 miles an hour. The lowest was 22,’’ the chief said, summarizing the surveys and describing curves, elevation changes and residential use that led the department to recommend the change. The chief referenced "New Hampshire RSA 2 6 65 63" as the statutory basis for the department’s speed studies and determination.

Select board member (Speaker 2) moved to adopt the lower limits and another board member (Speaker 6) seconded. The board approved the motion by voice vote; members voted in the affirmative when the chair called for 'All in favor?'

Board members asked the chief about enforcement plans and whether there would be a grace period. The chief said enforcement would begin with warnings before citations while signage is installed by the town highway department. A resident commenter (Chet Miller) later told the board about sightline and shoulder concerns on a nearby road and urged further study of striping or realignment where visibility is limited.

The select board directed the highway department to install appropriate signage if the declarations are filed and to coordinate with police for public notification. No timetable beyond immediate signage installation was specified in the meeting.