Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Road Safety Enforcement topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Committee discusses speeding, off-road driving on Crow's Pasture Road; cites enforcement limits
Summary
Members and residents reported habitual speeding and off-track driving after DPW regrading of Crow's Pasture Road and asked whether grant penalties or town action could be used; staff said speeding and grant compliance are distinct and suggested involving the police or select board.
The Shellfish Committee spent substantial time describing recurring speeding and off-road driving on Crow's Pasture Road after recent DPW regrading, and members sought ways to reduce damage and unsafe behavior.
"During DPW's regrading of Crow's Pasture Road, they reached out to us with a complaint of people speeding and using foul language," Jordan said. Residents and members described a small number of habitual drivers who habitually leave wheel tracks and create safety problems for walkers and other users.
Committee members asked whether the committee or grant program could penalize permit holders for road behavior or prevent individuals from using town land. Jordan replied that the matters are distinct: "I would think no, because they're two distinct issues — speeding on a road versus your aquaculture grant," and said questions about blocking access or enforcing speed would be more properly addressed by the town or police department.
Residents suggested nonpunitive steps such as targeted conversations with habitual offenders, on-site checks, and an email reminder to grant holders. One resident reported that a local physician had called the environmental police about a grant holder driving too deep in the water; the committee recorded the allegation but did not document follow-up enforcement at the meeting.
The committee did not adopt enforcement directives; members agreed to pursue town-level options and to consider reminders and targeted outreach as immediate, low-cost steps.
