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Board advances draft speed‑camera ordinance to third meeting after broad operational Q&A
Summary
At its Dec. 15 session the Board of Selectmen accepted the second review of the town’s draft automated traffic‑enforcement ordinance and voted unanimously to send it to a third meeting/public hearing; discussion covered camera siting, 24/7 operation, signage, warning periods and that cameras would be installed at no cost to the town.
Winchester’s Board of Selectmen on Dec. 15 accepted the second review of a draft automated traffic‑enforcement ordinance and voted unanimously to send the ordinance to a third meeting/public hearing.
Town Manager Tom Andrew Harrington and board members reviewed operational questions, including how camera locations were chosen (the chief of police recommended some sites), whether cameras could run 24/7, and how enforcement would be signaled to drivers. Several selectmen said they favored continuous operation; Harrington said the board may designate time windows but that 24/7 operation is an option.
Harrington and board members emphasized transparency in enforcement plans: proposed signage and advance warnings would notify drivers, and the manager said the vendor model in the town’s draft would not cost the town installation fees. Harrington said the first 30 days would be a warning period to inform drivers before citations are issued.
A motion to accept the meeting as the second review and move the package to the third meeting/public hearing passed unanimously; the public hearing on Dec. 18 (announced earlier in the meeting) will be an opportunity for residents to comment in detail.
Key quote from the meeting: "We're going to put a sign... 500 ft before you enter it to tell you slow down or you're going to get a ticket. And if you disregard all of it, the first 30 days, we're going to give you actual just a warning," Harrington said.
Next steps: The board scheduled the third meeting/public hearing process to collect public comment and finalize ordinance language before any formal vote on adoption.
