Manchester Studies Speed-Limit Reduction
July 28, 2016 at 4:25 p.m.
By Jen [email protected]
Wednesday evening, the Manchester Town Council approved the second reading of an ordinance to reduce the speed limit from 30 miles per hour to 25 mph on Market Street from Seventh Street to College Avenue, and on Ninth Street from Market Street to Beckley Street. The motion narrowly passed with a 3-2 vote. Council members Christopher Garber and Laura Rager voted against the motion.
Approval on three readings is required before the ordinance becomes official.
"It seems this is not a fix to the problem we are trying to address," said Garber, who added that the original concern in the area was with speed and noise. "I have given a lot of thought to this, and I think putting another stop sign (on Market Street) at Seventh or Fourth Street would slow traffic."
Garber said if the speed limit is going to be reduced around Warvel Park, then the town should consider reducing the speed around all the other parks in town as well.
"I'd like to put a little more thought into a comprehensive plan," Garber said. "I'd like to see us pull back and look at all the area parks. I think that's a better way to (deal with the problem)."
At the June meeting, council members discussed concerns with speed limit enforcement on Market Street, and some said that unless they are enforced, it won't matter if the speed limits are reduced.
Council members said the main time the speed limit is a problem is after school is dismissed and many vehicles speed through the area.
"It seems to me we are putting a law in place because of a problem 20 minutes a day 180 days a year," Rager said. "This speed limit will be effective 24 hours a day 365 days a year."
"I continue to be surprised that there is this much discussion and this much concern about this issue," said council member Stan Escott. "I think we should err on the side of the safety of children."
"I think we are erring in the right direction," said council president Don Rinearson. "We need to do the right thing for the children and for the safety of everyone."
Rinearson and Garber suggested that the issue should be discussed by the traffic commission. If the traffic commission drafts a recommendation, it can be considered before the ordinance's third reading.
In other business, the council:
n Voted down an ordinance to establish a cumulative building fund for the park and recreation department on its second reading.
n Read salt bids from three companies. The council approved a motion to allow Rinearson, Garber and Town Manager Dan Hannaford to review the bids and accept the lowest one.
n Approved the second reading of a tree cutting/trimming ordinance.
n Heard the fire department earned $1,400 from its recent tenderloin fry. The department plans to use the money to purchase a new defribillator to replace the current outdated one.
n Heard that about 50 percent of the street paving project is complete.
Manchester town council members are Rinearson, president; Escott; Garber; Rager; and Diane Haupert. Clerk-treasurer is Carrie Mugford.
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Wednesday evening, the Manchester Town Council approved the second reading of an ordinance to reduce the speed limit from 30 miles per hour to 25 mph on Market Street from Seventh Street to College Avenue, and on Ninth Street from Market Street to Beckley Street. The motion narrowly passed with a 3-2 vote. Council members Christopher Garber and Laura Rager voted against the motion.
Approval on three readings is required before the ordinance becomes official.
"It seems this is not a fix to the problem we are trying to address," said Garber, who added that the original concern in the area was with speed and noise. "I have given a lot of thought to this, and I think putting another stop sign (on Market Street) at Seventh or Fourth Street would slow traffic."
Garber said if the speed limit is going to be reduced around Warvel Park, then the town should consider reducing the speed around all the other parks in town as well.
"I'd like to put a little more thought into a comprehensive plan," Garber said. "I'd like to see us pull back and look at all the area parks. I think that's a better way to (deal with the problem)."
At the June meeting, council members discussed concerns with speed limit enforcement on Market Street, and some said that unless they are enforced, it won't matter if the speed limits are reduced.
Council members said the main time the speed limit is a problem is after school is dismissed and many vehicles speed through the area.
"It seems to me we are putting a law in place because of a problem 20 minutes a day 180 days a year," Rager said. "This speed limit will be effective 24 hours a day 365 days a year."
"I continue to be surprised that there is this much discussion and this much concern about this issue," said council member Stan Escott. "I think we should err on the side of the safety of children."
"I think we are erring in the right direction," said council president Don Rinearson. "We need to do the right thing for the children and for the safety of everyone."
Rinearson and Garber suggested that the issue should be discussed by the traffic commission. If the traffic commission drafts a recommendation, it can be considered before the ordinance's third reading.
In other business, the council:
n Voted down an ordinance to establish a cumulative building fund for the park and recreation department on its second reading.
n Read salt bids from three companies. The council approved a motion to allow Rinearson, Garber and Town Manager Dan Hannaford to review the bids and accept the lowest one.
n Approved the second reading of a tree cutting/trimming ordinance.
n Heard the fire department earned $1,400 from its recent tenderloin fry. The department plans to use the money to purchase a new defribillator to replace the current outdated one.
n Heard that about 50 percent of the street paving project is complete.
Manchester town council members are Rinearson, president; Escott; Garber; Rager; and Diane Haupert. Clerk-treasurer is Carrie Mugford.
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