Concerns about speeding and traffic safety drew about 50 residents to the Swampscott Senior Center on August 13 for a neighborhood meeting focused on Stetson and Franklin avenues.
The discussion was led by Traffic and Community Engagement Officer Kevin Reen, with Police Chief Ruben Quesada, School Resource Officer Brian Wilson, Lieutenant Michael Frayler, and Town Director of Community and Economic Development Marzie Galazka also in attendance.
Reen opened with speedboard data collected on Stetson Avenue since March. The device tracks the average, highest, and lowest speeds of vehicles traveling toward it, recorded in 15-minute increments. The fastest speed recorded this summer was 52 mph. Overall, the average speed was 27 mph, with the 85th percentile at 31 mph.
Traffic volume was also high, June saw at least 55,032 vehicles, the highest monthly total so far. Reen said that number may have been inflated by nearby construction at The Westcott Apartment complex, and noted the busiest hours were between 4 and 6 p.m.
Residents said Franklin Avenue’s wide intersections, estimated by Reen at “over 85 feet,” encourage fast driving. One attendee said his mailman nicknamed it “The Franklin Freeway.” Others cited broken mirrors, sideswipes, and safety concerns for children.
“We’ve seen it,” Quesada told the group. “I don’t want to see it anymore. I don’t want anybody to get hurt. I want us to be safe.”
Proposed fixes ranged from small adjustments to larger infrastructure changes. Suggestions included narrowing sidewalks, adding bike lanes, placing an unstaffed police cruiser in the area, adding planters to temporarily reduce road width, and adding more posted 25 mph signs. Other ideas included painting “stop” on the pavement alongside stop signs, installing reflective crosswalk beacons, and replacing seasonal plastic speed bumps with permanent “speed pillows,” which are quieter and can remain year-round.
Police plan to consult with a traffic engineer and work with state representatives to explore funding. They also stressed the importance of avoiding solutions that would simply shift traffic problems into other neighborhoods.
Residents were encouraged to report “known bad actors,” drivers who repeatedly speed through the area, and discussed the possibility of creating a Facebook group.
A memo summarizing the meeting will be released sometime next week, and police expect to be called before the Select Board to discuss progress. For safety concerns, residents can contact the Swampscott Police Department at 781-595-1111.
