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Resident urges speed-calming near Maristown schools; town to review data from study
Summary
A resident asked the council for speed bumps and other measures in school and hospital zones. The police chief described a company-conducted speed study and flashing, ticket-enabled signs; council asked staff for the study results before deciding on installations or purchases.
A Maristown resident, introduced by the council as Charlie Burack, asked elected officials on Oct. 14 to take quick action to slow traffic near the high school, elementary school and hospital, citing several recent accidents.
"I'd like to see some kind of speed bumps in front of the hospital and in the elementary school," Charlie Burack said, explaining that children walk across the road and drivers often travel at unsafe speeds.
Town staff and the police chief described work already under way. The police chief (Benjie Ratliff) said the town had arranged a week-long speed study with a vendor called True Blue Solutions; the vendor will generate speed-and-volume data and recommend whether automated enforcement signs would be justified. The chief said the equipment can issue tickets during configured periods and noted portable units are available but have limited operating duration on battery power.
Staff explained that, under the vendor’s typical arrangement, the company installs flashing school-zone signs and, if the data warrant, can enable photo-enforcement to issue citations; the town would not receive revenue from tickets until the vendor’s equipment costs were recovered by the vendor. Staff supplied a price for the signs, about $3,200 apiece, and said a feasible installation plan for the high-school corridor could require three signs.
Council members discussed alternatives including speed bumps, increased officer presence during school hours, and potential costs. One member suggested using funds that would otherwise pay an officer to support automated devices if the devices proved effective. Multiple members reiterated that safety — not revenue generation — was the priority.
Council asked staff to return the completed study as soon as it’s available and to investigate whether a town purchase of equipment would be feasible if the study supports it.
Next steps: staff will share the True Blue Solutions study results with council when they arrive and present options for enforcement or physical speed-calming, including estimated costs.
