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Middletown commission approves automated traffic‑safety ordinance, sets appeals process and hires for hearings
Summary
The commission reviewed implementation details for three automated speed‑enforcement locations, cited the statutory appeal process and approved sending the ordinance forward; the committee endorsed hiring hearing officers paid from collected fees and approved the ordinance by voice vote.
The General Counsel Commission on Dec. 11 approved an ordinance establishing automated traffic‑safety devices and outlined an appeals process and staffing plan for hearings.
Attorney Wisniewski told commissioners the implementation follows an enabling statute referenced in the meeting and a separate citation‑hearing statute; hearing officers will be engaged to adjudicate appeals and the city intends to pay them from fees collected under the ordinance. The attorney said the administration will present a slate of four attorneys for rotating appointment as hearing officers, to be paid $150 per hour with an hour of prep time for each hearing date.
Chief Costa described the project’s progress and said three camera locations are now active: Westfield Street, Country Club Road and Washington Street. "We are advancing in this project," Chief Costa said, noting the department is aligning procedures with state law and due‑process requirements.
Commissioners asked about fine amounts, the one‑year window for subsequent‑violation increases and enforcement for extreme speeds. The chief confirmed the first violation set in the proposed ordinance is $50, with subsequent violations within one year capped at $75 as drafted; the department will use targeted enforcement when automated data show very high speeds.
The committee also discussed the internal process for collecting and disbursing fee revenue and confirmed that funds collected can pay hearing officers. Commissioners approved the ordinance by voice vote; the ordinance will proceed through final steps of the council process and related administrative setups (hiring or contracting hearing officers) will be completed following council approvals.
The commission’s discussion included a note that a small number of citation appeals is expected initially, and the administration plans to present a rotating panel of hearing officers at a future council meeting for formal appointment.
