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Residents say they weren’t notified of Kitslane bus‑route change; council seeks DOT follow‑up
Summary
During public participation July 8, a Kitslane resident said DOT communications showed council members had knowledge of a 2023 route change that residents learned of after the fact. Councilors asked staff for follow‑up; town staff told council a DOT official said stopping at that segment of the Berlin Turnpike would be illegal without a dedicated stop and bus lane.
Residents raised concerns about a 2023 change to the Kitslane bus route during the town’s public participation period on July 8, saying they did not receive direct notice of the change and that the lack of local outreach caused disruption for affected homeowners.
A resident identifying himself as Mike said he learned, via DOT emails, that one or more council members had known about the route change but residents on Kitslane were not informed. “This may be just a street to you, but my whole life savings sits on this street,” the resident said during public comment.
Councilors pressed for and shared follow‑up information. Councilor Floyd said he had forwarded a DOT communication from a DOT official, identified in the council summary as Miss Cotto, and that DOT’s Service Committee recommended the route not be changed. Floyd told the council he also received a later DOT response noting that, without a dedicated bus stop and a dedicated bus lane on that section of the Berlin Turnpike, it would be illegal for a bus to stop there — a factor DOT considered in not routing service to that location.
Councilors said DOT posted information to its website and social channels but expressed concern that residents who do not use transit or who do not monitor DOT communications could be left uninformed. Councilor Jacob and others urged staff to consider better local notification for small, impacted streets and discussed sidewalk gaps on Vincent Drive and Maple Hill as a separate pedestrian‑safety issue related to the same neighborhood.
Town staff said they had sent DOT’s letters to councilors and would continue to pursue clarifying information. Councilors did not direct a formal new policy at the meeting but asked staff to keep the issue on their radar and to be more proactive about notifying small groups of affected residents if future changes arise.
The exchange included several requests for additional follow‑up from the town manager and town staff. No formal vote or ordinance change occurred during the meeting; the items discussed were requests for staff action and further coordination with DOT.
