Date: Fri 14-Jun-1996

By ANDY GOROSKO

Published: Aug 11, 1999 12:00 am

Publication: Bee

Author: ANDYG

Quick Words:

P&Z-Route-25-curb-cuts

Full Text:

P&Z Hopes To Improve Route 25 Traffic Flow By Regulating Curb Cuts

B Y A NDREW G OROSKO

Planning and Zoning Commission (P&Z) members have incorporated the

recommendations of a traffic study into the town's zoning regulations as a

regulatory way to lessen traffic congestion and reduce accidents on Route 25

between the Main Street flagpole and the Monroe town line.

P&Z members took the action after closing a public hearing on the matter June

The new regulations seek to incrementally alleviate traffic congestion on

Route 25 by better managing the gaps in road curbing, known as "curb cuts,"

where motorists enter and exit businesses.

Route 25 is the main north-south road through Newtown. The two-lane blacktop

road is generally posted with speed limits of either 40 mph or 45 mph, except

in especially congested areas. Route 25 connects I-84 at its northern end with

Interstate-95 and the Merritt Parkway at its southern end. Route 25 is

considered the primary arterial route for north-south traffic flow in the

region.

The Newtown Route 25 Access Management Study was prepared by Wilbur Smith

Associates of New Haven for the Housatonic Valley Council of Elected Officials

(HVCEO). The traffic analysis is based on traffic volume projections

formulated by the Connecticut Department of Transportation (DOT). A similar

curb cut control plan was prepared in 1993 for Route 6 from the Bethel town

line to Interchange-10 of Interstate-84.

The 4.9-mile section of Route 25 between the flagpole and Monroe is primarily

zoned residential. It has some retail and general business zoning.

"The increased traffic levels have created areas of traffic congestion and

have increased traffic accident rates on Newtown's roads," according to the

report.

In a 1987 planning report, the HVCEO noted that increasing traffic volumes on

I-84 will lead to a degradation of that road's traffic carrying capacity by

the year 2005. Increased I-84 traffic also is expected to put additional

traffic strains on local roads.

DOT is developing its final environmental impact study for the Route 25

corridor including towns including Trumbull, Monroe and Newtown. The limited

approach to improving traffic flow, such as curb cut management, is the DOT's

preferred alternative to lessening traffic congestion in the Route 25

corridor, rather than widening or relocating the road.

Current and projected traffic volumes on Route 25 combined with vehicles

making frequent turns into commercial driveways results in the need for a curb

cut control plan, according to the P&Z.

The traffic planning study upon which the new regulations are based evaluates

current conditions on Route 25 and recommends that specific changes be made in

curb cuts to foster the safer and more efficient flow of traffic, thus

preserving the road's traffic carrying capacity.

The aggregate effect of many vehicles waiting in traffic to make left turns

into driveways causes travel delays. As traffic volumes increase, the number

of "gaps" in oncoming traffic decreases, causing increased traffic delays and

more accidents as motorists who tired of waiting for oncoming traffic to

clear, cross in front of that oncoming traffic or pass standing vehicles on

the right, heightening the probability of traffic accidents.

Reducing the number of driveways along the roadway will improve overall

traffic safety, according to the P&Z.

Safety improvements would include reducing the widths of driveways; reducing

the overall number of curb cuts; encouraging adjoining properties to share

common driveways, and more clearly indicating the vehicle entrances and exits

at businesses.

Implementing an effective curb cut program would involve cooperation among the

DOT, the town, property owners, and developers, according to the P&Z.

The Newtown curb cut program is similar to those now in effect in Brookfield

and Danbury.

By incorporating the curb cut management plan into the town's zoning

regulations, the P&Z is specifying to developers what is acceptable in terms

of curb cuts along Route 25. The DOT and the town have overlapping

jurisdictions concerning curb cuts on Route 25.

The traffic planning study upon which the new regulations are based recommends

specific intersection improvements for the junction of Borough Lane and Route

25, and also for the northerly and southerly intersections of Elm Drive and

Route 25.

Next HRRA Household Hazardous Waste Drop-Off Event Scheduled In Newtown

Genealogy Club's Next Program To Dig Into 'Dissecting A Civil War Pension Record'

Choral Society Planning ‘Voices Of America’ Performance

Newtown Earth Day Festival Was A Success

Local Fourth Grader To Host ‘Gaming For Change’ On May 16

The editorial took no position on the budget going up or down so you're reading things into the editorial that simply aren't there. The turnout is tied to the lack of passage, in that people who came out to vote last time did not this time, indicating a lack of support on their part. Perhaps it wasn't spelled out clearly enough, but that's what the editorial was driving at, people showing lack of support by not casting a vote. The editorial did address likely concerns among voters that may have led to lack of support and lack of turnout. This lower turnout also follows increasing turnout over the past four referendums in three years (meaning it is an aberration from that), and increased turnout is something that I do push for regularly in editorials. Any disappointment you might be seeing is at the break in that trend, not at whether the budget passed or not. I'd rather see more people come out and vote "no" then not vote at all.

Lower Turnout Results In Two Budget Defeats

Clearly, property owners no longer want to bear the burden of expenses while the state does not meet it’s responsibilities. Rising costs must be addressed by actions that do not include yearly increases of property owners’ taxes. The state of CT must meet its share of the educational costs, and other costs.

Town And School Budgets Fail At Referendum

This feels like an oddly misleading headline and narrative, particularly coming from the Editorial Board. The headline "Lower Turnout Results in Two Budget Defeats" pushes a misleading narrative regarding voter turnout, and then seeks to tie the outcome of the referendum to that misleading narrative. Sure, voter turn out for this year's referendum, 18%, was lower than last year's. However, last year's turnout, 25.4%, represented the highest turnout in the most recent 10 budget referendums. If you take the time to examine turnout percentages between 2017 and 2026 (2017: 19.9, 2018: 15.7, 2019: 17, 2020: 0, 2021: 8.98, 2022: 7.7, 2023: 8.8, 2024: 15.1/17.49, 2025: 25.4, 2026: 18), this year's turnout was actually the third highest in the past 10 cycles. Perhaps the headline of this article should say "Lower Voter Turnout Than Last Year", which is more accurate, rather than creating an impression that this year's turnout is some type of aberration - a narrative that the turnout numbers, in all their binary glory, simply do not support. Further, the headline of this article appears to tie the "lower turnout" to the defeated budgets. Sure, that could be true. But, perhaps, its more likely that Newtown residents are feeling the squeeze of multiple economic influences. In Newtown, we've experienced property revaluations and increased municipal spending. Eversource continues to raise rates. The state legislature gives PURA the authority to impose Public Benefit charges that benefit a tiny percentage of the public (and subsequently burdening the rest of us). At the national level, inflation has run rampant for years and many of those costs remain high to this day. In short, the data tells a far less dramatic—and far more honest—story than the headline suggests. This wasn’t an electorate vanishing in apathy; it was a fairly typical turnout delivering an verdict that, perhaps, some at the Editorial Board didn't like. At some point, it’s worth considering that residents aren’t confused, disengaged, or misled by turnout; they’re simply doing math at their kitchen tables and concluding that “no” is the only responsible answer left.

Enjoyed the forum which only confirmed my support for Brandon Moore as the Democratic candidate to run for the state representative position. Brandon Moore did not waiver about his duty to all the people, if elected, when an issue presents itself that requires that he voice a difference of opinion for the wellbeing of Newtown residents. If Michelle Ku’s 16 years have led to her loyalty being to other elected officials, as she implied, then Newtown is going to continue to witness actions that do not protect its residents. She could not unseat republican, Mitch Bolinsky, during a Blue Wave, and once again, will not do it now. Winning that seat is critical for all. That explains why her previous campaign committee now campaigns for Brandon Moore. It explains all the endorsements he has received from local elected democratic officials. It’s why we need Brandon Moore to be the democratic candidate to run for state representative.

Second Newtown DTC, League Of Women Voters Candidates Event Planned

Appreciated the opportunity to hear from both candidates as we were present for the College Dems forum but only heard from Brandon Moore. It was an opportunity to see who can unseat the Republican incumbent and there is no doubt that Brandon Moore should be the Democratic candidate. One concerned parent posed a question about discrimination unaddressed by the school district and interestingly enough, Michelle Ku, who proudly speaks of her Board membership years, said little, while Brandon Moore passionately addressed the issue along with his experience as an Apache Helicopter Commander. This family is supporting Brandon Moore. We need change and someone who is not afraid to disagree, especially about the rising costs of living in Newtown.

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Date: Fri 14-Jun-1996

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