BROOKFIELD PUBLIC SAFETY ADVISORY COMMITTEE
WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 25, 2021, 5:30 PM
The Brookfield Public Safety Advisory Committee met in person as warned.
UNAPPROVED MINUTES
The following members attended: Dan Mason, Michael Rutkovsky, Stuart Edson and Lew Stowell. The following members of the public attended: Megan Clouatre, Alex Clouatre (age 5), Skip Smith and Greg Wight.
5:30 PM: Called to Order. There were no additions or deletions to the agenda.
Review, revise or approve the July 14, 2021 meeting minutes. Approved 5-0.
Questions or Issues Brought by Members of the Public- An email from Nancy McCall with two attachments was received on 8/25/2021 and shared with the committee members prior to the meeting because Nancy could not attend. It concerned pedestrian safety in Pond Village, particularly between the Floating Bridge and the Post Office. Skip Smith spoke about his difficulties in trying to erect a temporary barrier to protect pedestrians on VT Route 65. He stated that the barriers had been thrown over the steep bank across the road by two persons and that he had a threatening confrontation with them. He has reported that incident to the Vermont State Police. He stated that the 30 MPH speed limit was too fast. He has contacted two officials from the Vermont Agency of Transportation who said there was nothing that could be done. He provided a copy of his notes to L. Stowell. Skip is afraid that someone will be killed before proper steps are taken. He suggested that the branches on the tree in front of the John’s house could be trimmed to give drivers greater sight distance. Greg Wight who walks from his house to the Post Office regularly suggested that Brookfield might apply for an AARP grant to have a painted side walk, lower the speed limit to 25 MPH and erect pedestrian signs. Megan Clouatre said there was no safe place for her children to ride their bicycles or walk to the Floating Bridge. She said that although a lot of residents and visitors walked on the road, it was not safe. She suggested that the pavement be extended to at least the floating Bridge, movable speed bumps be installed, the speed limit lowered below 25 MPH and a side walk or walking path be built. She said the State of Vermont should do more to protect pedestrians. The PSAC agreed to look into various solutions. L. Stowell to send a link to S. Edson for the current MUTCD.
Review and Discussion of OCSD Activities including Patrol Hours, Reports and Bills. The June and July bills were reviewed. 11.25 hours of patrols were performed in June and 25.5 hours in July.
Speed Cart Deployments- There have been three Speed Cart deployments affecting Brookfield Roads since the July PSAC meeting. Two of them were at the Old Town Hall. Northbound traffic in July had 7.3% speeding while Southbound traffic in August had 36.42% speeding. The deployment just North of the Town line on Stone Road in late July and early August had 41.47% speeding.
Stone Road Parking Issues- There has been a big improvement observed.
Communication with the Select Board- The committee requests that a member of the Select Board be designated to be a liaison to the Public Safety Advisory Committee to facilitate two-way communication between the Committee and the Select Board.
Traffic and Weight Limit Sign Status- No change reported.
Traffic Ordinance Status- No change reported.
Parking in Pond Village- Observed to be generally adequate with some violations.
September Public Safety Message- M. Rutkovsky to prepare a draft on preparation for Winter weather.
Setting the Next Meeting-September 22, 2021 at 5:30 at the Congregational Church, Covid 19 permitting.
Inviting Guests to the Next Meeting-Todd Eaton of the Local Road Program, VT Agency of Transportation.
A motion to adjourn the meeting was approved at 6:53 PM, 5-0.