Town unveils traffic‑calming guide and prioritization tool; staff will seek capital funding

The Select Board received a presentation on a new traffic‑calming guide and prioritization tool designed to make traffic‑safety investments more objective, transparent and consistent. Consultant Jessica Mortel and planning staff described a toolbox of physical countermeasures — speed humps, raised crosswalks, curb extensions, chicanes and refuge islands — and a geodatabase‑driven prioritization approach that factors crash history, pedestrian density, proximity to schools and equity indicators.

"Slowing speeds, improving sight lines, increasing visibility, these are all goals that will help save lives," the consultant said while describing the rationale for traffic‑calming engineering. Staff said the guide will be used to generate concept plans, engage communities, advance engineering design, and pursue funding via the capital plan and grants. The town manager indicated he plans to request a capital appropriation to support traffic‑calming projects; the board received the guide and discussed quick‑build pilots to test designs before permanent installation.