A group of Toddy Hill Road area residents attending a December 3 Police Commission session thanked commission members for the installation of some planned traffic improvements along that street intended to better control traffic flow there.

The neighbors also asked when some long-awaited permanent electronic speed displays would be installed as a deterrent to speeding along the north-south road that links Sandy Hook to Botsford. The Police Commission is the local Traffic Authority, addressing traffic issues on town roads.

Carolyn Sepe of Toddy Hill Road thanked the commission for the town’s having installed a “rumble strip” along the road’s center lines, extending from its intersection on the north with Berkshire Road (Route 34) to its intersection on the south with South Main Street (Route 25). The presence of the rumble strip keeps motorists on their side of the roadway, Ms Sepe said. Driving on the rumble strip causes a vehicle’s tires to vibrate markedly, alerting the driver of his/her center-road position.

Some paint-striping on the road also has been done.

William Duffy of Pilgrim Lane said he hopes that Toddy Hill Road can get an improved surface. He said, however, it is unclear how police could get drivers to slow down on the street if its surface is improved.

Pete Sepe of Toddy Hill Road thanked Police Commission members for the improvements that have been installed. He asked when planned new traffic signs will be erected.

Police Chief James Viadero said he hopes the town will soon install two electronic speed displays to inform motorists of the posted speed limit and also the speed at which motorist are approaching the display. Chief Viadero noted that the town cannot leave its portable speed display outdoors during the wintertime, putting it at risk of being damaged by the elements and passing snowplows. The portable speed display has long been positioned on Toddy Hill Road.

Chief Viadero pointed out that police have kept up their intensified enforcement of traffic laws along Toddy Hill Road and will continue that speed control campaign there.

The chief, however, explained that town police have law enforcement obligations across town. “I’d like to expand our traffic unit,” he said, noting that police receive many traffic-related complaints.

Police Commission Chairman Joel Faxon said he hopes to have Fred Hurley, the town’s public works director, attend the January 7 Police Commission session to discuss Toddy Hill Road traffic improvements.