Citizen’s Petition concerning Randolph Ave. speed limit to be included on the December 2019 Warrant

A Citizen’s Petition will be included on the December Warrant to ‘instruct’ the Select Board to initiate the process to have the Legislature change the speed limit around the intersection of Randolph Avenue and Chickatawbut Road to 25 mph.

Town Counsel provided information that he could not find any legal authority allowing Town Meeting to ‘instruct’ the Select Board. He offered alternate language ‘authorizing’ the Select Board to petition for the change. The Warrant Committee approved recommending the article with the understanding it was likely not acceptable as is. The language could be amended in Town Meeting.

This is a significant public safety issue and the committee wanted to make sure Town Meeting was able to consider the issue. The committee felt public input through Town Meeting was needed.

It was also felt the Citizen’s Petition would not interfere with ongoing plans to mitigate traffic at the intersection by constructing a roundabout. Randolph Avenue (Route 28) is a state road requiring legislative approval for traffic mitigation changes.

Town Meeting will take place on December 2.

– Contributed by Doug Scibeck.