BETHEL — The Board of Selectmen unanimously voted Monday to reject a citizen’s request to increase the speed limit on Paradise Road.
Town Manager Jim Doar told selectmen that a Paradise Road resident submitted the request after he was pulled over while driving down the road.
“He believes that 25 miles per hour is too slow,” Doar said. “He said he fully recognizes that there are people up there that drive 60 miles per hour that should be pulled over. He told me he was doing 30 in a 25 mile per hour zone, but I don’t know. I heard from two residents up there that 25 miles per hour is more than adequate.”
One resident asked Doar what the speed limit would be increased to, if approved.
“He didn’t offer anything,” Doar said.
The town manager explained how the process of changing a speed limit works.
“We make a request to the Region 3 (Maine Department of Transportation) traffic engineer in Dixfield and tell them, ‘We have this request,’ and they look at it from an engineering perspective,” Doar said. “The state police weigh in, and ultimately, the DOT commissioner has to sign off on all speed limit changes.”
Doar said, “Frankly, this is the first time I’ve ever had anybody who wanted the speed limit raised.”
Board of Selectmen Chairman Stan Howe said, “Most roads in town are 25 miles per hour, so why should this road get special treatment?”
Selectman Don Bennett agreed with Howe. “Quite frankly, I hear more about people going fast on that road than anywhere else in town.”
Following discussion, Selectman Peter Southam made a motion that the board not request a speed limit change, which was approved.
mdaigle@sunjournal.com
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