The Legislative Council at its April 8 meeting decided to replace its Transportation Committee with a Transportation Planning Committee.

The Transportation Committee spent its time working out the scope of work that could be done. The Police Commission is the town's traffic authority and has direct control on traffic issues such as placing signs, installing speed bumps, and changing speed limits. The Legislative Council is the town's legislative body and can draft policy.

A charge developed by the Transportation Committee for the Transportation Planning Committee was thrown out and not approved after conversation. It was noted that the Police Commission felt that "90%" of the charge was overlap with the responsibilities of the Police Commission.

"We should find the ten percent and try and focus on that," said Councilman Chris Gardner.

The Transportation Planning Committee's first responsibility will be to work with the Police Commission and Chief of Police David Kullgren to hone in on ways the Transportation Planning Commission, which is largely an advisory board to the council, can address the traffic situation.

Earlier in the meeting, several residents came forward to discuss traffic.

Resident Julie Mack said her property is on Toddy Hill Road. She said that recently, two cars rolled over in her front yard. It is a section of road with a slope and there is a "lot of speeding in that area." She asked the LC to consider installing a few speed bumps similar to the ones on Queen Street.

Resident Kellyann Cooke spoke about ongoing safety concerns related to speeding and traffic on the north end of Toddy Hill Road.

Cooke said she has had 19 collisions in front of their home, including seven incidents that resulted in property damage in the four years she has lived there.

She noted that the 2019 traffic study recommended speed tables and additional signage which was not implemented. She asked the LC to consider additional traffic calming measures, including speed tables, speed cameras, limiting truck traffic, improved signage for limited sight-line areas, and roadway adjustments.

Resident Ned Simpson began by talking about past attempts such as a Board of Selectmen Ad Hoc Committee and the Safe Streets 4 All initiative.

"Transportation is a chronic Newtown problem," said Simpson, who notes that attempts to address that have been "encouraging but confused."

Simpson encouraged the LC to establish a clear structure to coordinate planning and implementation in these areas. He also spoke about the transportation challenges due to the lack of public transportation options and the impact on seniors. He referenced past efforts to address transportation needs, including studies, grants for ride services, and volunteer ride programs, and urged the council to develop a coordinated plan to address transportation, traffic, and safety improvements.

Councilman Jordana Bloom felt that while traffic was a "monumental" and important issue, she had concerns, particularly over the overlap with the Police Commission. She also felt that having so many groups looking at the issue would be confusing to the public. She felt maybe an ad hoc committee, that would include people from other groups like the Police Commission, would be a better idea.

Councilman Eric Paradis noted that while people didn't know where to go with traffic issues, if the council had people willing to roll up their sleeves and work on the issue, then "thank you."

Councilman Chris Eide agreed, and added that the council's ability to draft ordinances "is reason enough to take this up."

"The Police Commission deals with signs and speed bumps, but broader things like the traffic cameras are brought to us," said Eide. "It's our authority to pass ordinances and this is an opportunity to advocate for issues that are important to the community."

Eide also said that congestion needed to be dealt with.

"Safety is important but it’s linked with congestion," said Eide. "Until we deal with that and get traffic back where it’s supposed to be, safety will be an issue."

Transportation Committee chair and Councilman Michelle Embree Ku stated that her committee had been in touch with the Police Commission and police chief prior, but several councilmen said that they needed to go back to reduce overlap.

The issue is expected to be addressed further at future meetings.

Editor Jim Taylor can be reached at jim@thebee.com.