Fairfield to form committee to make changes to speed camera program, but keep it active for now
The speed cameras were turned on in six different school zones on May 1.
More Stories
Fairfield's Representative Town Meeting voted to form a committee to make changes to the town's speed camera program, but also continue operating the cameras in the meantime.
The cameras were first turned on in six different school zones on May 1, and have been the subject of debate around town from the very beginning.
"Hate 'em," said Fairfield resident Michael Knight. "(The cameras) block up traffic, and then you never know when you're going to get the ticket or not."
"It's a paid toll," agreed Kevin Muller, who also lives in town. "You shouldn't have to pay a ticket because you're going 25 in a 20 mph zone."
The two votes came following a four-hour RTM meeting, with many residents continue to voice concerns over the cameras, including privacy issues.
Still, RTM Majority Leader Michelle McCabe said "with school starting, it in my mind, it did not make any sense to pause a working program."
Minority leader Peter Britton however, voted to pause the cameras, saying "if we're making the decision to really evaluate the whole program, why would we also continue what we're doing?"
Fairfield police have supported the program and say speeding violations have decreased by more than 80% since the cameras first went on.
"People are out there, they know about the zones, they know they should slow down," Britton said.
The committee will look at a variety of concerns with the cameras, like privacy, signage, fee structure and the appeal process for the fines.
"I believe the decision was absolutely responsive to what the majority of residents asked for," McCabe said.
"We want safety, and we have to control the speed of the people driving around town," agreed Britton. "(we) just want to make sure it's done right."
There will be a meeting to form the committee Friday, then members will begin having conversations and putting together suggestions.
The process is expected to last several months.
