Community Corner

Residents Show Worry Over Payson Road Speeding

With the development of Chestnut Green and the use of the Payson Road Recreation Area, residents on Payson Road are now ready to see some progress on what they say is a worsening issue with speeding down the road.

“We need this to be over after six years of talking,” Payson Road resident Mike Casey said.

The road, known for it’s flat and straight shape, makes speeding down it easier even for those who do it unintentionally.

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“I go though in there 10 times a day and I speed. I see it and it happens on North Street and it gets worse,” selectman Jim DeVellis said.

Cut through traffic to get to Patriot Place has also added to the volume of vehicles going down Payson Road and North Street.

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Three members of the neighborhood told selectmen on July 9 that the town had approved and budgeted for elevated traffic tables designed to force cars to slow down but the tables were never installed.

According to DPW director Roger Hill, the tables would have caused drainage issues in the winter. Hill added that he is not against the idea of using traffic tables but they need to be placed in a different spot.

Matt Monahan, who lives on Payson Road, recently measured the speed cars during the late morning and late afternoon and saw speeds ranging from 29 mph to 51 mph with an average of 41.3 mph.

Like the rest of the area, the size of the neighborhood has grown significantly. According to North Street resident Olivia Banks, the amount of residents in the Chestnut Green area has increased from four in 2006 to 76 today.

According to Banks the improvement in sidewalks and the construction of homes has brought more families to the area but the dangers of traffic in the area has not improved.

“You actually see people out now. We’re walking to each other’s home and to the playground,” Banks said. “I think it’s telling that it’s growing but the traffic and safety issue hasn’t grown with it.”

Planning Board member Gordon Greene agreed with the residents, believing it is time to do something about speeding on the road.

“The planning board is in complete agreement with residents in the area that the speed is unacceptable,” Greene said.

The planning board hopes to come up with some solutions that can be presented to the selectmen in about a month.

What do you think should be done to decrease speeding down Payson Road? Leave us a comment and tell us your idea!


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