SWAMPSCOTT – The Town is going all-out in order to help mitigate traffic and speeding concerns in the area of Stetson Avenue and Franklin Street.
Interim Town Administrator Gino Cresta explained that, so far, the Town has implemented preliminary strategies to help solve the issue.
“We put up six speed limit signs for the residents, and we also put up delineation markers at the end of Franklin Street and Stetson Avenue to square off the corner because people weren’t stopping while they took the corner,” Cresta said.
Cresta said that Police Officer Kevin Reen came up with the idea for the delineation markers, and he added that the Town has also installed them at the corner of Stetson and Norfolk Avenue.
He added, “Those markers are there to make sure people fully stop.”
If the temporary procedures work, Cresta said that they could be made permanent, with the Town using granite to properly square off the corners.
Cresta also said additional speed bumps have been considered.
“We were able to take the feedback from residents and prioritize their responses. … We’ve already posted the new 25 mph speed limit signs. We put up six total, three going in each direction, to cover the total span of the street,” Reen said.
Reen noted that delineation markers were installed at both the corners of Stetson Avenue and Norfolk Avenue and the corner of Stetson and Franklin Avenue.
“One of the things that was presented to us was the amount of speeding,” Reen said. “One of the problem areas was Stetson Avenue as it turns onto Franklin. In that area, the manner in which people are making these turns are much quicker than what’s necessary or safe.”
Reen added, “With these delineation markers, people now have to make more direct turns. The lanes in the street get more succinct, and you’re not cutting a turn or a corner. By putting the markers out, people have to come to a complete stop before they turn onto Stetson.”
He continued, saying that the goal was to help mitigate the speed for vehicles turning down the road.
“Nothing is perfect, but we do feel that this will help with peoples’ concerns,” he said.
Reen explained that he’s been working with State Rep. Lori Ehrlich and State Sen. Brendan Crighton as well as the Massachusetts Department of Transportation (DOT) to “make sure the proper channels and personnel are in the room to have productive conversations to improve the roadways.”
He said another element of discussion has been the possible inclusion of speed bumps, where he’s been talking with Cresta and the town on how to implement those changes.
“These immediate improvements, I feel, will have an impact in a positive light as we keep moving forward,” Reen said.
