SEYMOUR – The Seymour Board of Selectpersons held their bi-monthly meeting Tuesday (July 8). Here are some highlights.
Speeding
Seymour Police Chief John Bucherati gave the board an update on a problem that’s been plaguing Maple Street, and several other areas of town for years: lead-footed motorists.
As a result of increased complaints from residents, particularly about speeding on Maple Street, Bucherati told the board he recently secured a $30,000 grant from the state Department of Transportation for speed enforcement.
The grant will cover the costs for officers to strictly focus on traffic enforcement in four-and eight-hour blocks throughout the week and on weekends, according to Bucherati.
In addition to conducting enforcement on Maple Street and Route 313, Bucherati said other hot spots for speeding and accidents include Bungay Road, South Main Street and Holbrook Road.
In addition, Bucherati said two of those digital signs which display motorists’ speed, which the department acquired from the state DOT, will be permanently installed on Maple Street near Warren Drive and another placed on Washington Avenue.
“They do help and hopefully this will deter speeders,” Bucherati said.
Vandals Beware
After a discussion last month on ways to deter vandalism, First Selectwoman Annmarie Drugonis said a surveillance camera will be installed to keep an eye in the area of the gazebo at Chusetown Park (corner of Broad and River streets).
Last month vandals removed the patriotic decorations there. Last year vandals also defaced a Santa Claus figurine at the gazebo.
Rob Dyer, the technology director for the town and the school district, said he’ll be able to utilize existing Wi-Fi in the area and get the camera and equipment installed for about $2,000.
“It’s a good investment,” said Selectwoman Theresa Conroy.
Public Can Weigh In
The board also scheduled a public hearing for 6:15 p.m. Aug. 5 at Seymour Town Hall to discuss some changes to the blight ordinance, and another public hearing for 6:30 p.m. the same night to discuss proposed changes to the Town Charter. Click here for a previous Valley Indy story on some of those proposed charter changes.
Bungay Road Construction Update
The nearly $7 million reconstruction of West Church Street, Bungay and Botsford roads – which got underway in late March – is moving along, according to town engineer Bryan Nesteriak, whose firm, B&B Engineering, is coordinating the project.
“I think it’s going well; we’re within budget, ahead of schedule, and all in all people are adapting,” Nesteriak told the board. “The hope is to get this all done before the end of the year. The contractor has until June 2026 to finish, but they are trying very hard to get this done by the end of year, so the impact isn’t as bad.”
The project is being done in five phases, with Bungay Road turning into a one-way road during construction.
To date, Nesteriak said “Phase 0,” which included installation of new drainage, curbing, milling and paving with no changes to the width of the road from Great Hill Road to the southern section of Brookfield Road is complete.
“Phase 1,” which is the area just below the driveway of Seymour High School on Botsford Road to Balance Rock Road is mostly done, Nesteriak said, and “Phase 2,” from Balance Rock to Bungay Terrace is underway with new drainage being installed, two retaining walls built and paving expected by the end of July.
The last two phases of the project, “Phase 3” which goes from Bungay Terrace to Knorr Avenue is slated to get underway in August while “Phase 4,” from Knorr Avenue to the West Street intersection by the Seymour Historical Society is on track to begin in October.
West Church Street, Bungay Road and Botsford Road are heavily traveled roads that provide access to state Routes 8, 67 and 34. The project calls for 6,900 linear feet (or about 1.3 miles) of road reconstruction, including new draining, curbing and sidewalks.
There will also be 35 on-street parking spaces added at Bungay School to help ease bus and drop-off traffic.
The project is being funded through the state’s “Local Transportation Capital Improvement Program” (LOTCIP). The town has an additional $1.1 million from LOTCIP on top of the $5.7 million to cover any project contingencies.