Police report: Maple and Pearl intersection warranted; state speeding grant funds overtime enforcement

Chief John Bucharati updated the board on complaints and traffic data for the Maple and Pearl intersection and on a state speeding enforcement grant covering overtime traffic enforcement.

The chief said the signal at Maple and Pearl is town‑owned and roughly 50–60 years old. A traffic‑engineering warrant study found the signal meets two of the primary warrants (eight‑ and four‑hour volumes) and therefore should remain. He said upgrading the intersection to comply with the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices — necessary if the town wants automated red‑light enforcement (camera systems) — would be a significant investment (presented as "well over a million dollars"). He noted the unit must be upgraded and in place for at least a year before automated enforcement could be deployed.

On speeding enforcement, the town applied for and received a state grant that funds several 12‑hour overtime shifts for targeted enforcement; initial enforcement started with a 4‑hour block on a Saturday and an 8‑hour block on Monday and is scheduled through August. The town also received two portable speed‑display signs from a partner center and plans permanent installation to help calm speeds on Maple and Washington Avenue.

Board members asked about timing for signal upgrades, yellow‑light timing adjustments, rumble strips, and communication with residents during active enforcement and construction, and the chief said those options will be investigated further with engineering and public works input.