Swampscott speed signs give mixed signals

SWAMPSCOTT – The speed limit on Stetson Avenue could be 30 miles per hour, but according to the posted signs it is 20 miles per hour, which has caused some confusion for motorists.On Tuesday, motorists on Stetson Avenue noticed a speed board posting the speed limit as 30 miles per hour, yet the signs on the street posted the speed limit as 20 miles per hour.Town Administrator Andrew Maylor said the issue of the speed limit on Stetson Avenue was brought up at a Board of Selectmen meeting last year.”The (20 mph) signs have been there for more than two decades,” he said. “In order to alter a speed limit there is a process that needs to be followed. We can’t find anything documenting whether proper steps were taken when the speed limit on Stetson was changed. We are in the process of vetting that and inquiring as to whether proper steps were taken at the time it was changed.”Police Chief Ronald Madigan said the state speed limit is 30 miles per hour unless otherwise posted and he admits the 20 mile per hour limit is unenforceable, but he hopes drivers adhere to the lower speed limit.”There is no record of whether the state was ever petitioned to reduce the speed or whether it was approved by the state,” he said. “Our officers will not enforce the 20 mile per hour speed limit. It is a suggested speed limit and one we hope drivers would adhere to.”David Castellarin, who is on the traffic study committee, said there are numerous signs in town that may not be enforceable because the law on the books does not reflect the posted signs including some speed limit signs.Maylor said the general consensus among town officials is it prefers to err on the side of caution and keep the lower speed limit.”It is an important street,” he said. “It is used as a cut through and there are a lot of children in the area so until this is fully vetted I don’t see it changing.”Lt. Thomas Stephens, who is one of the traffic officers for the department, said the signs on Stetson Avenue are regular speed limit signs, but he expects that to change in the near future.He said the town would be putting up special suggested speed limit signs that would be readily distinguishable from the standard signs.