On Thursday the Board of Selectmen discussed an proposed ordinance for use of automatic traffic enforcement safety devices.
Town administrator Ben Branyan said the ordinance was in front of the Selectmen because they serve as the town’s traffic authority. It does not require approval by the RTM.
“The charter is clear, it’s under your authority,” Branyan said, adding that the ordinance was a brand new one and would add to chapter 14, “Vehicles and Traffic,” and follows most of the language as required from the public act passed in 2013. That language is referenced in the preamble’s first paragraph.
Branyan said the administration had issued an RFP for vendors to do the work.
The detailed RFP seeks proposals from “providers who have ongoing experience in the planning, design, implementation, installation, operation, maintenance, and citation management of turnkey automated traffic enforcement systems (fixed red light camera devices, fixed speed camera devices, and mobile speed camera devices).”
The RFP deadline is May 9.
The RFP and ordinance is joint effort between the Office of First Selectmen, Dept of Public Works and the Police Dept, but the police department is primary because there is an enforcement provision in the ordinance.
“The number one top priority in resident satisfaction survey was traffic issues and the intent of this is to hone in on school zones,” he said.
Greenwich Police Dept Chief James Heavey said the public act 23-116 empowered the town to be able to use automation, and technology has already been used – think license plate readers – to make an impact on crime.
“There’s a number of vendors submitting RFPs, and they would be able to transmit information to Greenwich Police for review by the traffic section.”
The ordinance also establishes a hearing process similar to the one for parking tickets.
He said a traffic study would be done before any devices are installed to determine where the device would do the most good, and although there are 15 public schools and six private schools, they will determine which schools it would be the most effective.
Heavey also said there would be a privacy inclusion in terms of how long the information is stored.
Fines would be $50 for the first violation, $75 for the second and any violation thereafter.
The structure of the fines would pay off the vendor for their expenses for installation and the remainder would go into the fund earmarked for traffic safety initiatives.
Heavey said most of the studies indicate that the installation of cameras, including warning signs, reduces speeding in the area by about 50-60%.
Camillo noted that as First Selectman he appoints hearing officers for parking tickets and Heavey said indeed, Camillo would appoint these hearing officers as well.
Selectwoman Lauren Rabin said she had already received letters in support of the speed cameras, especially given they woul be installed in school zones.
Janet Stone McGuigan urged the board to host a public information session on the speed cameras.
“I know, it was a lot to take in when we were given a briefing and I’m not sure the public knows exactly how this works,” she said. “But I am definitely in support of this but we have to get everybody on board and informed.”
Branyan suggested that once a vendor is selected they could be involved in a public information session.
The discussion of the ordinance was a first read.