Warwick seeks authority to set speed limits

Warwick — It worked with the Community Preservation bill so the Town of Warwick has again asked its representatives in Albany to grant a home rule request, giving the town the opportunity to set the speed limit on county and state roads within the town. The town requested that the state grant home rule, meaning that the town can set its own rules on a specific matter, which enabled the town to set up its Community Preservation Fund for open space. Now, the town, through Assemblywoman Annie Rabbitt, is requesting that it be able to set speed limits on state and county roads. This was sparked, in part, by many requests over the years to lower the speed limit on Pulaski Highway, the site of many accidents, from 55 mph to 45. Many residents and farmers on the stretch of road that goes from Pine Island into Goshen have complained of excessive speeding. “We have had dozens of requests to lower speed limits,” said Warwick Town Supervisor Michael Sweeton. “Some never get changed.” Currently, the town has to request that the state or county change a speed limit. After a usually lengthy process, which includes a visit by an engineer, the changes are seldom recommended. Cities and villages can change their speed limits, but not towns. The bill was introduced by Rabbitt in the Assembly. “Hopefully she can get it onto the floor for a vote before the summer recess,” Sweeton said.