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New Stop Sign in Ivoryton

After much discussion and a lot of research, it has been unanimously decided by the Essex Board of Selectmen/Traffic Authority that a new stop sign, located at the corner of Summit and Main streets, will be installed in Ivoryton.

“Change is sometimes difficult, but a lot of thought went into this decision and as a resident who drives through this intersection on a daily basis sometimes two and three times, I am relieved to have the added safety of the new stop sign on Main Street. It provides drivers entering Main, from Summit, added protection in the area that has a blind spot,” said Selectman and Ivoryton resident Stacia Libby.

The sign is currently in place on a trial basis and its addition to safety in the downtown Ivoryton area will be assessed and reviewed this upcoming fall.

“It was dangerous there, and we didn’t want to wait until someone got hurt before we did something,” said First Selectman Norm Needleman.

The stop sign was installed to remedy recessed sightline issues at the intersection that leaves drivers with a blind spot when turning. In addition to the new stop sign, the speed limit in the area has been decreased.

Originally the town wanted to bring the speed down to 20 miles per hour in the area. However, after further investigation, the Connecticut Department of Transportation (DOT) determined that 25 miles per hour is an appropriate speed limit for the conditions from Walnut Street to the intersection of North Main Street.

According to DOT regulations, stop signs cannot be installed solely as a means of speed control, but must address a safety issue, so town officials hope the new stop sign will address both sightline and speed problems.

According to Needleman, the town plans to police the area to ensure safety. The stop sign will be reviewed in a few months to see if it has helped create a more functional intersection, which is less likely to be an accident site.

“We are doing all we can to keep our town a safe place,” said Needleman.