Kent comments on speed camera plans

KENT — A public hearing will be held at 7 p.m. on Nov. 22 for the adoption of a new traffic safety ordinance that would install two speed safety cameras along Route 7 to the north and south of downtown.

At the Tuesday, Nov. 12, special meeting of the board, the selectmen voted to approve edits made to the ordinance chapter, and move forward to a public hearing ahead of a town vote on Dec. 6. If the town votes the ordinance through, it will then be passed on to the state for approval of the location of the cameras.

“There are quite a few speeders that have come into town lately,” said First Selectman Marty Lindenmayer. He located the ordinance as part of a multi- year effort on the part of the town to slow traffic in the center of Kent.

“Post Covid, people are back on the road,” he said, also citing the increasing permanent and visitor populations as contributing to increased excessive speed incidents. After several years of trialing speed mitigation measures, such as lowering speed limits and installing LED “your speed” signs, the situation hadn’t tangibly improved, said Lindenmayer, citing reports from police and the town’s own speeding data collection project.

Lindenmayer said the new ordinance is “a tool” to finally address the speeding issue in town. He mentioned that the town of Washington, Connecticut, is just ahead of Kent in its own process of implementing speed cameras, and has been helpful in providing data and guidance.

Lindenmayer stated that the cameras would be installed in plain sight with the proper signage — “no hidden cameras or moving them in the middle of the night,” as he put it.

“From the start, this has been a safety issue,” said Selectman Glenn Sanchez at the Nov. 12 meeting. He related a story of how he was once passed by another vehicle — crossing the double yellow line — while driving down Main Street. “It was unbelievable,” he said.

Selectman Lynn Worthington reported that some residents fear the move has other motivations. “I’ve heard complaints that this is another way to tax residents,” she said.

She recommended the board be upfront at the public hearing about the financial aspects of the ordinance. “It’s not a money-making endeavor,” she emphasized.

Lindenmayer was careful to point out that the ordinance itself states that any money received from citations will have to go toward the maintenance of traffic programs, such as improving signage and painting crosswalks.

Latest News

Foreign exchange students reflect on a year in the U.S.

Charlie Castellanos, left, and Allegra Ferri, right, sitting in the HVRHS library to talk about their experiences in the U.S.

Anna Gillette
“I would say if you are thinking about doing the program, do it because you get out of your comfort zone and learn so many things...” —Charlie Castellanos

Every year, Housatonic Valley Regional High School welcomes foreign exchange students to attend classes through the AFS Intercultural Programs. This school year, two students traveled to Northwest Connecticut to immerse themselves in American life and culture. Allegra Ferri, a 17-year-old from Italy, and 16-year-old Charlie Castellanos from Colombia sat down to reflect on their experience at HVRHS. As the academic year is coming to an end, they shared a few highlights of their time in the U.S. and offered advice to prospective exchange students.

What has been your favorite part of your exchange experience?

Allegra: “My favorite part of this exchange year was coming here and experiencing an American high school.”

Keep ReadingShow less
HVRHS students bring back student newspaper
From left, Ibby Sadeh, Anna Gillette, Nathan Miller, Maddy Johnson and Caitlin Hanlon proof the pages of HVRHS Today at the Lakeville Journal office while Shanaya Duprey teleconferences in on Thursday, May 29.
James H. Clark

Students from Housatonic Valley Regional High School wrote and produced the inaugural edition of HVRHS Today, a new publication by and for students in the Northwest Corner.

This inaugural issue of HVRHS Today marks the first student-led journalism effort at the high school in several years. The program is a collaboration between the Lakeville Journal, the Berkshire Taconic Community Foundation and the 21st Century Fund.

Keep ReadingShow less
Mountaineers take second place in WCLC

WATERTOWN — Housatonic Valley Regional High School girls lacrosse played Watertown High School for the Western Connecticut Lacrosse Conference championship Wednesday, May 28.

The cold, rainy game went back and forth with three ties and three lead changes. Watertown was ahead when it counted and earned a 6-4 victory to claim the league title.

Keep ReadingShow less