Middlefield reviews speed study, considers speed cameras and ordinances

First Selectman Bob Yamartino told the Board of Selectmen that the town had reviewed a recent speed study showing a large volume of high‑speed travel and that the Board should consider several policy responses. The study reported that on Route 66 more than 50,000 vehicles were recorded traveling at least 21 mph over the posted speed limit, according to the meeting record.

The study’s findings prompted discussion of speed‑camera programs, which Yamartino and other board members said would require a town ordinance and subsequent state approval. Board members noted the vendor model under consideration operates through revenue sharing and would impose no direct cost on the Town; they said any revenue from cameras should be dedicated to road‑safety improvements.

Yamartino recommended separating future traffic legislation into three ordinance categories: speed cameras, traffic signals and school‑zone enforcement (with Hubbard Street cited as a school‑zone focus). The Board also discussed installing a speed bump near the Peters Lane/Springside Street stop sign and possibly relocating existing speed‑monitoring signs that have already reduced speeds along Route 66.

Members discussed whether citation processing should be handled by a third‑party vendor or by Town staff and recommended scheduling a meeting with the Safe Streets Commission and other stakeholders to refine locations and implementation steps. Board members also noted Connecticut State Police have increased enforcement on Jackson Hill Road, Bailey Hill Road and Peters Lane, and they discussed whether roadway widening on state roads could better accommodate both bicyclists and motor vehicles.

Next steps: the Board directed staff to prepare draft ordinances before scheduling any town meeting and to consider commissioning an additional third‑party speed study to confirm findings and proposed enforcement locations.