The presentation and appraisal advocate for safer, more comfortable neighborhoods in Jericho by addressing the dangers and impacts of speeding. It urges the Select Board to approve a comprehensive safety improvement package.
1. Core Concern: Safety and Comfort in Neighborhoods
Residents desire safety when walking, biking, driving, or simply living in their neighborhoods.
Speeding is identified as a major threat—physically, mentally, and socially—especially to children and the elderly.
2. Speeding as a Social Problem
Speeding is described as selfish, dangerous, and corrosive to the community's social compact and shared responsibility.
Enforcing speed limits is not just legal—it is a moral and communal obligation.
3. Need for a Comprehensive Approach
Speed control should go beyond enforcement to include infrastructure changes proven to reduce vehicle speeds.
A suite of 10 safety features is being proposed, which collectively provide greater safety than piecemeal solutions.
4. Alignment with the 2024 Town Plan
The plan envisions Jericho as a walkable, interconnected, and safe community.
Prioritize pedestrian and cyclist safety.
Use traffic calming and Complete Streets designs.
Emphasize safe design in Village Centers and growth areas.
5. Data-Driven and Community-Informed
40 state and federal references.
Town traffic studies and Select Board dialogue from 2018–2025.
Crash reports, interviews, and neighborhood meetings.
Input from other municipalities.
6. Call to Action for the Select Board
Approve all ten safety features being requested.
Set direction based on the Town Plan.
Delegate implementation to experts.
Lead with a commitment to coordinated, transparent action.
7. Criteria for Evaluating Neighborhood Proposals
Proximity to Village Centers.
Presence of sidewalks.
Resident support.
Severity of speeding.
Public activity level in the area.
Cost and complexity of solutions.
Existing traffic calming infrastructure.
8. Identified High-Need Areas
Includes Browns Trace, Barber Farm, Browns Trace, Lee River, Skunk Hollow, Plains Rd at Jericho Corners, Rt 15, Riverside, and Governor Peck Road.
The request is for a thoughtful, comprehensive commitment to safer streets across Jericho. The proposal is community-driven, evidence-based, and directly aligned with the Town's stated vision and values. The Select Board is urged to take leadership by approving the full suite of safety measures and setting the stage for effective implementation.
- Including SLOW, 25, fog lines, or bicycle lane lines, crosswalks, and tapered fog lines at transition points where the speed limit changes from 35 to 25. No matter where the lines are painted (9 feet or 10.2 feet driving lanes), they will fade over time.
- Repair broken signs and metal crosswalk plates.
- Replace the flashing crosswalk sign near Cleary’s house. There was one there. It was damaged, then removed.
These tall plants with
deep roots offer erosion control. As you may know, we are expecting rain events to continue to increase in intensity and volume. Jericho is already experiencing deep erosion in the green belts. For example, look at Browns Trace near the Barber Farm intersection.
Sensory perception of safety while walking or running on the sidewalks is an important gain from having these plants provide a visual cue to drivers that this is a community neighborhood and not just a thoroughfare. The pedestrians gain that feeling of comfort from that visual separation from traffic.
Mowing costs the town. Allowing perennial and native plants to flourish does not cost and is a benefit to wildlife, to the diversity of wildlife, which in turn is a benefit to us all.
I write not only from my opinion, but in having many people have told me this is of value to them. If some people are voicing concerns, then let us discuss those concerns and find a compromise to address the concerns while not losing what we have gained and what many people find beautiful, calming, and providing a sense of safety.
It is human nature to voice concern more readily than it is to praise. We need to ensure both voices are heard in this matter and move judiciously and wisely for the better of our community and in a process that allows for respect for the work done by volunteers, and for established efforts to soften our landscape to make it healthier for humans and animals alike. - Bernie
Resident Comment:
I am mystified that the town has decided to mow the greenbelt along Browns Trace. As an area resident, I have frequently walked that portion of the sidewalk, sometimes twice a day, and found it to be well-managed and a welcome buffer from the road.
I don't know why the town has decided now to defend the residents against imagined ticks and not address the much more real safety concerns along this stretch of road such as the poorly marked crossing at Jericho Country Store (where did the paint and the warning pylon go?) and the missing crosswalk lights southbound from the store. Respectfully, it seems that there are more important uses for the town's time and resources.
Note: The town has since rescinded its decision to mow the flower patch in question.
- Install curbs and streetscaping: Add street trees and deep-rooted perennial native flowers.
- Install curbs where the greenbelt is less than three feet wide.
Curb Extension: Curb extensions increase the visibility of pedestrians crossing the road, shorten their crossing distance, and visually narrow the roadway, which can lead to slower vehicle speeds.
Install sidewalk and curb across the street from J.C.S., from the corner by the large Oak tree up to the parking area. Thus, narrowing the road for that length of roadway.
Demonstration before installation
We cannot rely on enforcement alone to reduce speeds. However, we can make our law enforcement expenditures more efficient and effective.
Data-driven speed enforcement guidance to the Sheriff.
Expenditure: 2024: $ 161,551
Enforcement revenue 2024: $ 56,059
The budget amount for Sheriff/ traffic for FY26 is $190K with estimated fines of $60K. This is for 50 hours per week. [$73 an hour]. State Police still cover crime. We no longer have a contract for speed control. - Jericho Select Board.
If we are going to use radar as a speed control tool, we should make it as efficient and effective as possible, to reduce speed non-compliance and to save money through the use of Data-driven speed enforcement guidance.
One police department reported that they identified the areas that were the problem areas, the most likely to get complaints. They analyzed the calls to see what days of the week, what times of the day, and then they developed a data-driven process. They devoted their time to those locations and during those periods, and started making some headway.
Proposals:
- Direct or request the Sheriff to locations and times of greatest speed to speed limit variance as shown on road study reports and other areas of concern, as expressed by the public.
- Request from the Sheriff Department annual reports listing ticketed information, including: Date of speed violation, vehicle type (commercial or residential), vehicle ticketed speed, road and speed limit for that section of road, and time of violation. Share the data with the public at Town Meeting.
- Calculate the number of tickets issued to commercial vehicles and compare it to the percentage of commercial traffic to determine if they are receiving the same speed scrutiny as residential drivers.
This is a template of how we might look at the data to decide what times to focus the radar on to address the outliers. We could do the same for the other speeds.
7. Measure for Compliance. Determine software availability to access the speed data recorded by the radar speed feedback signs (RSFSs).
8. Allocation of funds for small bright colored (red or yellow) flags on a stick for children crossing in front of JCS.
9. Allocation of funds for the Pace Car program, Bumper Stickers, and the safe driver pledge.
10. Position fog lines to create a minimum 3-foot shoulder (ideally 4 feet) on both sides of the road where the road is wide enough to accommodate, albeit with narrower driving lanes.
This is a data-backed and detailed plan for physical and perceptual speed control tactics to influence self-governed driving behavior.
With a consistent show of intent, we can influence driving behavior to ensure we have safer and slower streets.
Regarding a Defined Process for Traffic Calming Evaluations
One might ask, What criteria can the Select Board use to determine which proposals for which neighborhoods? That is beyond the scope of this project. However, the Burlington process is well defined and might be modified for Jericho’s needs. See a link in the resources section. Their process in summary is:
- Traffic Calming Assessment.
- Determine if the threshold criteria are met.
- Some criteria to consider are: Estimated pedestrian traffic in the area. Number of cars traveling over 10 MPH over the speed limit. Cost of any proposal.
- A neighborhood meeting will be scheduled to provide feedback on concepts. If needed, a second meeting will be scheduled to share updated plans. DPW will follow the Public Engagement Plan for neighborhood outreach.
These duties might fit a staff member or a volunteer task force.
Jericho resident Suggestion: A method for the Selectboard to identify the locations that need traffic calming and how to evaluate which should be addressed in what order by which techniques.
Criteria for possible projects:
- Village Centers and 1/2 mile radius - yes/no.
- Sidewalks in the area - yes/no.
- Support from residents who live in the immediate area - strong, maybe, weak, or opposed.
- Intensity of speeding in the area - as measured by # of speeders, mph above limits, or other metrics.
- Level of current and desired public and pedestrian activity in the area (store, church, school, playground, studio, etc.).
- Cost/complexity scale - how easy/hard/expensive/effort are the specific solutions that could be applied in this area?
- Calming status - some techniques in place already which need maintenance, some in place already which need supplement, starting from scratch.
All this is likely to just sit on the shelf without action if the public does not ask the Select Board to implement these speed control measures. I will present to the Select Board on June 12. The meeting starts at 6:30. Please consider attending and voicing your support for slower and safer streets actions as proposed here.
My voice carries little weight. OUR VOICES can drive ACTION.
The ASK Summary is as follows:
Implement the following concepts or features for speed control augmentation for safer people, roads, and speeds.
Items are listed in priority sequence.
- Two Median Islands.
- Three Raised Cross walks.
- Lane or street narrowing. Location: 25 mph section. (Nine feet wide travel lanes vs current 10.2 feet).
- Maintenance: This is not a new item. Maintenance is a given.
Bi-annual pavement marking, repairs. In front of the JCS paint parking lot- lines. Reinstall portable pedestrian standalone sign(s) in Crosswalks (possible exception of store from crosswalk). - Install curbs
- Where the greenbelt is narrow
- Curb extension across from JCS.
- Data-driven speed enforcement guidance to the Sheriff and obtain an annual speed violation detailed report.
- Software on digital speed signs to measure speed compliance.
- Allocation of funds for bumper stickers.
- Three to four-foot shoulders via fog line placement where the existing pavement allows. Narrowing of the driving lane.
- Update Jericho’s 2015 Transportation plan
Outside the scope of this presentation and for future attention: SPEEDING COUNTERMEASURES CAMPAIGN. Messaging to Influence Behavior, and Education (at High School and elsewhere).
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Public comments (I was not able to capture all, but here are a few in addition to those shown in the sections above. Some are edited for brevity.
June 19, 2025 (FPF)
Keeping this thread going to encourage everyone to read Bernie's thoughtful and research-based presentation. I'd strongly support any efforts to slow traffic down and promote Jericho as a walkable/bikeable community. The area on browns trace between the high school and country store has some wild speeders, that I see first hand out my window every day, or as my toddler plays outside. For a section of town that is intentionally maintained as one of our village centers (With a new side walk to encourage more walking and biking from the high school!), and a quickly growing community of families with young children, the neighborhood needs vs. fast commuters/speeders has come to a head.
Please reach out to the selectboard if you support these measures to help keep Jericho outdoor and neighborhood spaces safe, focusing less on the needs of cars, and more on the needs of our community.
June 13, 2025 (FPF)
1. Lane narrowing from Governor Peck to Barber Farm with defined painted lines and reflectors on the road edge. This would allow safer walking, horse riding, etc., on Brown's Trace.
2. Police presence that actually pulls over people breaking the speed limit. Our sheriff does a great job nabbing parents bringing their kids to school in the morning but fails to get the people passing on the double line at 5pm on browns trace.
3. A plan to improve walkability in and beyond our town centers. Including maintaining the sidewalks that are overgrown and disrupt walking on our limited sidewalks. We love the flowers, but they need to be reasonable.
June 11 (FPF)
Given the difficulty of enforcing speeding controls and how annoying they can be for local residents (looking at you, Skunk Hollow speed tables), shouldn't we focus on remediating unsafe intersections or improving general road safety instead? When I browsed the crash map on the VT Crash Query tool, there are some clear hotspots for accidents in Jericho (notably the intersections of Skunk Hollow and 117, Lee River Road and 15). VTrans has a report highlighting these accident-prone hotspots going back to 2016.
June 11 (FPF)
I understand we can't build sidewalks everywhere (though I still dream of one connecting the center to Nashville Road!), but I'd love to see more investment & thought given to long-term, town-wide pedestrian access—especially in places that currently have none.
June 10 (FPF)
I believe the best way to have a controllable speed limit is for a "reasonable" speed limit. Many Jericho roads have speed limits that are too low for the road, i.e., Browns Trace. I believe it is much easier to enforce a reasonable speed limit than one that is too slow for the road.
If Jericho really wants to discourage folks who speed on their local roads, take the Richmond / Cochran Road approach and put speed bumps ( good ones ) at close intervals and mark them dramatically.
Also, for what it's worth, the Town has done a TON of studies on this, some funded by Safe Route to Schools ( or something like that ), AARP, and others in the Flats area over the past 15+ years, and it has not provoked much change. People still fly down River Road in the 25mph section ( in both directions ) even with some of the recommended changes ( speed limit radar ) that the Town has made. If the town wants information on how to reduce speed in rural areas, I suggest that they look at all the studies that were already funded in the past.
June 8 (FPF)
That doesn't suggest to me a motivation to increase the speed limit in Jericho, however. I'm less interested in optimizing someone's travel time to I89 than I am to making the road viable for those that live on it, and use it for purposes other than a conduit. Some people already go 50mph - we don't need to encourage that.
Unless you're running a speed trap, enforcement is not for revenue. I also agree that enforcement of unrealistic speed limits is a path to failure - it is better to make the road "conform" to the speed limit (by calming methods mentioned elsewhere) than to throw up an arbitrary number on a sign. I also try to remind myself that people actually live there, and recall where bad things happened.
June 7 (FPF)
It is good to identify neighborhood issues. But I would like to echo other postings I've read here that recommend a proven best method--increasing law enforcement patrols.
Target the most travelled roads first. This includes the obvious Route 15 and connectors like Skunk Hollow and Browns Trace, etc.
If you have money left over after these roads are made safer, be careful with those neighborhood demands for "traffic calming". Do consider the long-term costs and please try to avoid designs like East Ave in Burlington (IMHO).
June 4 (FPF)
"Narrower" travel lanes (ie, move the fog line inward - pretty much everywhere in town) could help.
Pedestrian crosswalks with the blinking yellow lights are a lot more effective than trusting the driver to notice the (now-decayed) painted lines.
I've complained before about the road near my house having been designed for optimal road-hugging and acceleration back in the 1960s. It is maybe too late to do anything about that now, but all how roads can be configured to make it uncomfortable to go too fast is good - an "isle of safety" through the Center, perhaps, or heaven forbid, a stop sign somewhere.
One final comment - in previous manifestations of these discussions, it has sometimes been asserted that "we can't do that - the State (the DMV, the Federal Government, the Traffic Gods) won't let us." Don't listen to that! It's OUR road and we can do what we like (I'm pretty sure.)
Supporting documents.
- References used to create this proposal
- A review of Select Board meetings from 2018 to 2025 with dialogue of public concerns over speeding
- Letters of Support from Committees
Reference Material
- JERICHO TRANSPORTATION STUDY May 2015 Submitted by RSG
- Speeding: What have other towns done? Charlotte News 11/3/2022
3. Narrow Residential Streets: Do They Really Slow Down Speeds? James M. Daisa, P .E. and John B. Peers, P .E
4. Painting outside the lines. Wiggly bike lane sparks chatter, safety concerns, image issues. Shelburne News 1/2/2020
5. Traffic Calming to Slow Vehicle Speeds U.S. Department of Transporation
6. Narrow Residential Streets: Do They Really Slow Down Speeds?
James M. Daisa, P .E. and John B. Peers, P .E.
7. Traffic Calming 101. Project for Public Spaces. 12/31/2008
8. Optical illusions slow drivers Greater Greater Washington. By David Alpert (Founder) June 24, 2008
9. Roadway Striping as a Traffic Calming Option ALLISON KAHN
GOEDECKE, Falls Church VA.
9. Speed Management in Rural Areas U.S. Department of Transportation Federal Highway Administration.
10. Traffic Calming ePrimer U.S. Department of Transportation Federal Highway Administration.
11. Delaware Traffic Calming Design Manual (Implementation)
12. SPEED MANAGEMENT PLANNING Fed Highway Safety Program (* See 2.8 Resources section)
13. Maumee, OH, Is Taking Back Its Streets—By Removing Them
14. Traffic Calming to Slow Vehicle Speeds (US Dept of Transportation)
15. Safety Evaluation of Intersection Conflict Warning System. US Department of Transportation.
16. CC RPC (Chittenden County Regional Planning Commission.
17. How $180, Local Talent and Bottom-Up Action Can Strengthen a Community
18. US Dept of Transportation Federal Highway Administration: Speeding Countermeasures.
19. VT Safe Streets for All. Watch for Me VT: a Statewide Driver, Pedestrian, and Cyclist Safety Program.
20. May 2015 Jericho Transportation study (on Jericho website). Appendix.
21. Traffic Safety Toolbox - Speeding Countermeasures Toolbox for Vermont. https://vtrans.vermont.gov/sites/aot/files/documents/20230606 Toolbox.pdf (you must copy this into your search engine, including the Toolbox.pdf part; clicking on it does not work). The table in the traffic Safety toolbox provides a list of the speeding countermeasures that are recommended for use in Vermont, their acceptability on the state highway system, and the applicability and frequency of each countermeasure's use across seven criteria.
22. 7 Traffic-Calming Devices To Slow Speeding In Your HOA
23. Messaging: Identify actions to move the needle on safety and mobility outcomes through data data-driven process. REGIONAL SAFETY ACTION PLAN. For more information, please contact Project Manager Sai Sarepalli, CCRPC Senior Transportation Planning Engineer: (802) 861-0134
https://www.ccrpcvt.org/our-work/transportation/current-projects/corridors-circulation/regional-safety-action-plan/
24. Maryland Pace Car Program.
25. Roadway Striping as a Traffic Calming Option.
26. NYC lowering speeds from 30 to 25 and why.
27. VT Agency of Transportation Traffic Count (TCDS).
28. Traffic Calming Measures - Institute of Transportation Engineers
29. BTV Recently Completed Traffic Calming Projects
30. Traffic Calming Rubber Speed Humps (BTV Presentation) Includes preferred product, pricing.
31. Richmond Traffic Calming: Recorded meeting - presentation by CC RPC.
32. Report on Shared-Use Path and Sidewalk Costs
33. BTV Traffic Calming Manual (2020) by Stantech
34. GUIDANCE DOCUMENT: DEMONSTRATION PROJECTS IN STATE HIGHWAY RIGHT OF WAY
35. Learn About Our Technical Assistance Services: Local Motion.
36, Street Traffic Calming Evaluation EXAMPLE (WINOOSKI) produced by Stantech for Winooski
37. Jericho, VT Planning Toolbooths (Satire)
38. 2025 AARP Community Challenge Grant
39. Curbless Median in BTV (Home Ave)
40. The Crash Modification Factors Clearinghouse provides a searchable database of CMFsalong with guidance and resources on using CMFs in road safety practice.
41. Inexpensive bulb out. (Peru ST BTV example).
42 Contacts outside of Jericho:
1. Jack Mandeville Evans, Local Motion, Complete Streets Program Specialist
2. Phillip Peterson, BTV DPW
3. Josh Arneson, Richmond’s Town Manager
4. Peter Gosselin, Richmond Road Foreman
43. Interviews with residents in Jericho, including Valerie (owner of J.C.S.), members of the Jericho Center Preservation Association, and others.
44. A survey was conducted via FPF on May 17, 2025 (asking five questions about speeding in Jericho).
45. Neighborhood presentation at the Community Center with discussion on June 5, 2025.
46. Jeff Speck: For a Walkable City, Remove Centerlines on Local Streets. Not thoroughly reviewed. It might be worth a closer examination.
Vehicle Crash Reports in Jericho, Vermont
Vermont State Police Annual Reports
2023 Annual Report
Total Fatal Crashes: 0
Total Injury Crashes: 7
Total Property Damage Crashes: 38
For the town contract specifically:
Total Fatal Crashes: 0
Total Injury Crashes: 0
Total Property Damage Crashes: 2
2024 Annual Report
Total Fatal Crashes: 0
Total Injury Crashes: 10
Total Property Damage Crashes: 57
For the town contract specifically:
Total Fatal Crashes: 0
Total Injury Crashes: 0
Total Property Damage Crashes: 1
Specific Crash Incidents Mentioned
Route 117/Skunk Hollow Intersection - This intersection was designated as a high crash location primarily due to cars trying to turn left onto Skunk Hollow Road going east on Route 117, the relatively tight width of the roadway, and insufficient line of sight approaching the intersection on Route 117 from the west.
Skunk Hollow/Plains Road Intersection - From 2014-2018, three crashes were logged in VTrans' Public Crash Data. All three occurred on Skunk Hollow Road, in the winter, with less than $3,000 damage.
Browns Trace Road - In March 2022, residents reported 5 or 6 car accidents near their house in the previous 18 months. The accidents all happened in winter, mostly in the middle of the night or evening, with people heading north on Browns Trace Road entering a curve too fast and losing control.
Skunk Hollow Road - In March 2023, an incident occurred where two drivers were tailgating and lost control behind the town snowplow. The snowplow driver damaged the plow blade and frame while trying to avoid them. The incident cost $2,000 for repairs to the truck.
Barber Farm Road - A resident described witnessing an accident on this road in June 2023.
Route 15 near Lawrence Heights - A fatal accident involving a nine-year-old child named Kinsley Millard occurred when she lost control of her bike and slid into oncoming traffic.
Jericho Corners - A Green Mountain Power truck ran into a light pole and knocked it down.
A review of Select Board meetings from 2018 to 2025 about public concerns over speeding is summarized below.
Residents offering speeding concerns to the Selectboard, often citing specific incidents or near-misses.
Resident Speeding Concerns Presented to the Jericho Selectboard (2018-2025)
Browns Trace Road Concerns
In March 2022, Cristine and Jacob Selvidio addressed the Selectboard about speeding on Browns Trace Road. They reported:
Witnessing 5-6 car accidents near their house in just 18 months
All accidents followed the same pattern: drivers heading north entering a curve too fast and losing control. All accidents occurred in winter, mostly in the evening or at night. The Selectboard asked them to compile a list of incidents and dates to help establish data for potential action.
At a follow-up meeting on March 17, 2022, the Selectboard discussed potential solutions including warning signs for the curve and adding fog lines.
Skunk Hollow Road Incidents
In March 2023, Chris Tardie from Skunk Hollow Road reported:
His mailbox was hit by a speeding vehicle just 20 minutes after a school bus came through. Five incidents with property damage had occurred in a small stretch of road near his house. The State Police had responded to three of these incidents. He expressed frustration that despite multiple reports to authorities, no effective action had been taken.
At the same meeting, another resident, Sabina Ernst, who also lived on Skunk Hollow Road, shared: She lived at a low point on the road where drivers pick up significant speed. She cited statistics about pedestrian fatality risks at different speeds (50% risk at 42 mph, 75% at 50 mph, 90% at 58 mph). She noted that many warning signs approaching speed tables were missing.
In April 2023, Chris Tardie returned to report: A car had gone off the road and hit the side of his driveway after hitting speed bumps and fishtailing
He had witnessed a car passing him on a blind hill that morning.
The town's road crew had experienced incidents where drivers were tailgating and lost control behind snowplows.
Route 15 and Lawrence Heights Tragedy
In October 2020, Faith Lick presented concerns about the Route 15 speed limit following a tragic accident: A nine-year-old child named Kinsley Millard was killed while riding her bike down Lawrence Heights when she slid into oncoming traffic. Faith had previously observed runners and walkers along Route 15 and witnessed cars accelerating beyond the 40 mph limit. She described a previous accident where a driver lost control, crossed the double yellow line, and hit multiple parked cars.
Kinsley's grandmother, Brenda Davis (a former police officer), also spoke at the meeting: She described routinely writing tickets for drivers going 60-70 mph while she was with the Essex Police Department.
She explained how stopping distances increase significantly at higher speeds. She emphasized that with more people at home during COVID, there were more pedestrians, cyclists, and joggers on the roads.
Jericho Center Village Concerns
In August 2023, the Selectboard received a letter from the Jericho Center Preservation Association about speeding through Jericho Center.
In December 2023, representatives from this association formally addressed the board: They described ongoing issues with speeding and parking in Jericho Center. They requested a traffic study to quantify volume and speed compared to previous studies. They asked for a meeting between the town planner and community members to gauge concerns and priorities.
River Road Safety Issues
In June 2023, a resident named Lisa Anne Antonik described:
Witnessing an accident on Barber Farm Road. Multiple accidents and near-accidents on River Road. Cars, including military vehicles, driving much faster than the 20 mph school zone limit. The solar-powered school zone sign not functioning properly.
Starbird Neighborhood Concerns
In December 2022, Omar Saiyid reported speeding issues in the Starbird neighborhood: The speeding was primarily attributed to delivery drivers from Amazon, UPS, FedEx, etc. He noted that neighborhood residents were not the ones speeding. Some delivery drivers were not stopping at stop signs. Many families with young children lived in the neighborhood.
Common Themes in Resident Reports
Specific Locations: Residents typically identified precise locations where speeding was problematic.
Personal Observations: Many residents shared firsthand accounts of witnessing speeding or dangerous driving.
Property Damage: Several reports mentioned damage to mailboxes, driveways, or other property.
Vulnerable Road Users: Concerns often highlighted risks to pedestrians, especially children.
Repeat Visits: Some residents made multiple appearances before the Selectboard when they felt issues weren't being adequately addressed.
Data Requests: The Selectboard often asked residents to help collect data or specific information about incidents to support potential actions.
Jericho Selectboard Speed Control Discussions (2018-2025)
2018: School Zone Speed Limits
In early 2018, the Selectboard began discussing a request for a 25 mph school zone near Mount Mansfield Union High School (MMUHS).
In February 2018, Town Administrator Todd Odit noted he would look into the process to establish a school zone speed limit similar to the one at Jericho Elementary School.
By April 2018, the Selectboard approved commissioning a traffic study to consider a 25 mph school zone speed limit in front of MMUHS.
The study was conducted by VHB in May 2018.
In September 2018, the Selectboard reviewed the speed study results, which recommended a 25 mph limit between 7:30-8:30 AM and 2:30-3:30 PM on Browns Trace Road near MMU. There was discussion about whether to include flashing lights on the signs, with Todd cautioning against solar-powered lights due to potential reliability issues affecting enforceability.
2019-2020: Expanding Speed Control Measures
In June 2019, the Selectboard adopted the MMU School Zone Speed Limit Ordinance.
In July 2019, they reviewed quotes for the school zone assembly and approved the base option of flashing lights with speed limit signs for $6,938, with the possibility of adding radar feedback later if necessary.
In October 2020, following a tragic accident where a nine-year-old child was killed while riding her bike, the Selectboard discussed a request to petition the State for a 25 mph speed limit in Jericho Corners.
This led to extensive discussions about crosswalks, flashing beacons, and speed limits on Route 15. The Selectboard voted to petition the State to reduce the speed limit in Jericho Corners and to add a crosswalk with flashing lights, speed indicators, and high hazard warning signs at the intersection of Lawrence Heights and Route 15.
By December 2020, the State Traffic Commission had approved reducing the speed limit to 35 mph on Route 15 from the Essex line to just west of Lawrence Heights, and to 25 mph from Lawrence Heights almost to the Town Hall.
2022-2023: Speed Signs and Traffic Calming
In September 2022, the Selectboard approved spending $9,340.50 to replace radar feedback signs and blinking stop signs.
Throughout 2023, there were ongoing discussions about speed issues in various neighborhoods, including Skunk Hollow Road and Jericho Center.
The Selectboard approved purchasing movable speed signs to collect data and encourage compliance with speed limits.
In April 2023, a resident of Skunk Hollow Road reported multiple accidents in his area and requested more effective speed control measures. The Selectboard discussed options, including real-time speed monitoring units, improved signage, and traffic calming measures during upcoming road repaving.
2024-2025: Ongoing Efforts and Additional Funding
In January 2024, the Selectboard approved applying for two speed studies through the Unified Planning Work Program - one for Skunk Hollow Road and one for Browns Trace in Jericho Center.
Throughout 2024, there were discussions about issues with the solar-powered speed signs, including battery and solar panel size problems.
By early 2025, the town had allocated an additional $30,000 specifically for speed reduction measures.
As of May 2025, the Selectboard was discussing how to best utilize these funds, considering options such as portable radar signs, additional signage, and possibly increasing sheriff's department hours.
Common Themes in the Process
Public Input: Residents frequently bring speeding concerns to the Selectboard, often citing specific incidents or near-misses.
State Coordination: For state highways like Route 15, the town must petition the State for speed limit changes and crosswalk installations.
Technology Challenges: The town has faced ongoing issues with solar-powered speed feedback signs, including battery life and solar panel size problems.
Enforcement Discussions: The Selectboard regularly discusses coordination with the sheriff's department and State Police for speed enforcement.
Budgetary Considerations: Funding for speed control measures comes from various sources, including regular budgets, grants, and special allocations like the recent $30,000 for speed reduction.
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Reimagine Safe Streets in Jericho Part II
Jericho – No. 5987 • Bernie Paquette • Browns Trace, Jericho
Posted to: Jericho
May 4, 2025
Announcement
Remember the vote in last year's Town Meeting to amend the budget by inserting a line item dedicated to increasing speeding control measures across the town for 30 thousand dollars in FY 2026 to be rolled over to future years?
Though committing that much money to slower and safer streets was a big step, the harder part is figuring out how to prioritize the locations in Jericho to address first, and choosing the tools with a focus on their projected effectiveness using financial prudence, and seeking multi-neighborhood inputs.
Some people say it is hard to drive slowly, meaning within the speed limit. My brain lives in the ADHD world. It's hard to do anything slowly and patiently. But driving slowly, aka within the speed limit, my foot can easily handle.
Using the $30k with financial prudence, effectively, and with a fair and even assessment of all areas in Jericho, requires patience and slow but thorough going, while paying close attention to the road that will get us the results many in Jericho desire.
We have data from many Jericho, Vermont, and National engineering studies. We know a lot about the speeding countermeasure tools.
What we need is leadership and a small cadre of those who walk, ride bikes, and are concerned for their neighbors, to join forces to be effective in proposing to the Select board the priority locations, the appropriate tools, and the best way to use grants to leverage the town fund. JERICHO NEEDS YOUR INVOLVEMENT!
So far, the Selectboard has not approved a "Community for Slower and Safer Streets" Task Force. However, each neighborhood or group of neighborhoods can get together and create a proposal to submit to the Selectboard. Keep in mind, some folks are pressing to get this off the docket quickly. Do we want to throw the money blindly and fast, or do we want thorough deliberation with town-wide opportunities for citizens to review proposals and to provide input?
The need has been demonstrated. The tools available are defined. The engineering studies have been completed. (The last study report is due at the end of May).
Everything is known. Decisions, because they involve choices, are more complicated. Your voice and consideration of the options are paramount to fair and effective expenditures.
Contact Bernie at bernie.paquette@yahoo.com if you want to provide input to the working group I am part of. Or reach out to your neighbors to create a group for any section of Jericho. We appreciate any amount of participation and input. WE NEED HELP to move the wheel on this issue and get proposals to the Selectboard by June.
Let me know if you wish to have your name on a distribution list for updates. Would a coffee hour work better for you? Or a meet-up at the Community Center? Let us know what works to facilitate your ability to be involved with these decisions.
Also, tell me what more you want to know, as well as to offer input. Let's design a plan that works for all of us. Let's make community participation meaningful.
Even if the brain is telling us to go too fast, we can use the foot to let up on the gas pedal.
Want to understand some of the tools that have been road-tested, and what the projected effect on speed is? View these sites.
1. https://vtrans.vermont.gov/sites/aot/files/documents/20230606 Toolbox.pdf (you must copy this into your search engine including the Toolbox.pdf part; clicking on it does not work). The table in the traffic Safety toolbox provides a list of the speeding countermeasures that are recommended for use in Vermont, their acceptability on the state highway system, and the applicability and frequency of each countermeasure's use across seven criteria.
2. VT State: https://vtrans.vermont.gov/planning/research/projects/SafetyTool (page down and choose presentation)
3. Federal: https://highways.dot.gov/safety/speed-management/traffic-calming-eprimer/module-2-traffic-ca[...]ics
Beyond the decisions for the best use of the $30k for infrastructure, plus any leveraged grant funds, I envision the mission to include the following.
Law enforcement review: Obtain quarterly reports from the Sheriff's department of ticketed speeds, day, time, and location, as well as the total hours of radar by location.
Develop a data-driven process. Ask the town to ask the Sheriff to prioritize the radar day and time to match when the data shows are the highest offense periods. (Data from the State report as well as data from the Sheriff). Ask the town to ask the Sheriff's department to devote time to those locations and during those periods.
Messaging (Influence), Education (on the results of speeding), Outreach (Dialogue).
Messaging example: Burma Shave-like signs with humorous but serious messaging about speeding.
Education and Influence example: Contest for Jericho Students (55-word short stories).
Take back our streets and neighborhoods.
Say Yes to Safer and Slower Streets,
Bernie
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Supplementary slides
Speed cushions are raised and elongated sections, like speed humps, with wheel cutouts. Speed cushions can slow passenger car speeds to 10 to 15 mph while allowing buses and emergency response vehicles to travel at normal speeds.
Rumble strips are an option for South of the Store, however resulting noise must be considered. Also called alert strips, rumble strips are grooves or rows of indentations in the pavement that create noise and vibrations alerting drivers to street signs, speed limits, pedestrian crossings, and other road safety concerns.
Rubber Speed humps. BTV has installed these in a few locations. These are not listed in the State speed countermeasure toolbox. Height: 1.5”. Inexpensive (less than $100 each). Rubber speed humps are easily removed for winter months, to ensure that plowing can continue. These installations can also be easily moved from year to year.
Dear Jericho Select Board Members,
The Jericho Bicycle and Pedestrian Connectivity Committee Members are writing this letter in support of Bernie Paquette's proposed project [Slower and Safer Streets]. Bernie presented to us his Ten Asks and described the concepts and some details of the speed control features he is proposing.
His data-backed and detailed plan for physical and perceptual speed control tactics to influence self-governed driving behavior has a strong element of projected success if implemented. The committee is willing to work with him and advise the town on the best methods to implement for optimal connectivity of all user groups if approved by the Select Board.
Like the Raceway project, Bernie's proposal for Browns Trace will be a model for other neighborhoods as the features apply to other locations.
In his presentation, Bernie establishes the need, the public desire, and cites proven effective speed control features.
We urge the Select Board to strongly consider the concepts as well as the features he proposes, as they are aligned with the Town Plan and with the goals of the JBPCC.
Cody Phillips
Jericho Bicycle & Pedestrian Connectivity Committee Chair (JBPCC)
End of Report
