Swampscott Residents Vote Down Lower Speed Limits

SWAMPSCOTT, MA - Swampscott residents voted down a measure at special Town Meeting on Monday that would have allowed the town to set 20 mph safety zones in high pedestrian traffic areas around town, according to ItemLive.

A 'Yes' vote on Article 8 on the special Town Meeting warrant, would have allowed the Board of Selectmen “to establish safety zones with a speed limit of 20 mph on, at or near any way in the town that is not a state highway, and if a state highway, with the approval of the Department of Transportation.”

The motion to approve the article, made by Laura Spathanas, vice-chair of the Board of Selectmen, was defeated, 111-84, after a standing vote.

Town Administrator Sean Fitzgerald previously said that the safety zones would have been where there is the most pedestrian traffic, with the change aimed at pedestrian safety. He said the requested change related to a Town Meeting warrant article approved this past spring that established a town speed limit of 25 mph.

Stephen Iannaccone, a Town Meeting member, said that he thought it was too soon for the town to make an additional change after a speed limit reduction had just been made in the spring.

To read the full article, visit ItemLive here.