Fairfield First Selectman Candidate Gerber Applauds 'Safe Streets' Law

Information from Gerber/Vitale campaign:

FAIRFIELD, CT — Following last night's adoption of Fairfield's Safe and Liveable Streets ordinance by the RTM, Bill Gerber, who was the lead author on the measure, issued the following statement:

"The successful adoption of Fairfield's Safe and Livable Streets ordinance is the result of elected and community leaders coming together to implement smart solutions to address street safety. After nearly a year of working with residents and professionals who have an in-depth understanding of “Complete Streets” planning and shared right-of-way safety, we have responded to the concerns we heard from everyone who uses local roads. Parents should be able to safely walk their children to school, residents should be able to comfortably bike to work or walk to our downtown without any danger and this ordinance will create better connectivity to ensure that's possible."

The ordinance would require Fairfield to create and implement a “Complete Streets” plan. The U.S. Department of Transportation defines Complete Streets as “streets designed and operated to enable safe use and support mobility for all users.” Fairfield currently has a Complete Streets Policy that was endorsed by the Board of Selectmen in 2018, but it serves only as an optional and inconsistently applied guide.

Gerber, who is the Democratic candidate for First Selectman and was the lead author of the ordinance, said the draft submitted to the RTM is the product of months of research and work with residents and others who have an in-depth understanding of “Complete Streets” design. Broadly, the ordinance would also designate a town employee as the Complete Streets Coordinator and require the establishment of a manual stipulating design requirements and implementation steps for street improvement projects. It would add transparency to decisions regarding the type and placement of street safety measures and would require the town to seek exemptions through a formal process involving public comment.