Ridgefield Press > Flagger ordinance fails at town meeting; Police Commission will explore regulation

Many construction or utility companies already hire police as flaggers, but they are not required to use officers.

Voters overwhelmingly opposed two versions of a flagger ordinance Wednesday night, requiring companies and private citizens to hire police for traffic control in specified work zones.

An amended and expanded ordinance failed in a 60 to 23 vote. Then, the Board of Selectmen’s more limited proposed ordinance, requiring citizens and companies to hire off-duty police during excavation, construction, or repair of any highway road or street that impedes the flow of traffic on 24 town roads, failed by a larger margin, in a 71 to 11 vote.Though the ordinances failed, the town may still have a flagger regulation passed by the Police Commission, if it so chooses, Chairman Tom Reynolds said.Written by Kate Czaplinski, Press Staff  > Wednesday, 26 May 2010 23:27For the rest of the story click here.