To the attention of: Paul Foley, John DiFederico, Tiger Mann and  New Canaan town officials, 

We, the undersigned residents of Mill Road and River Road and the surrounding community, respectfully submit this petition to the Town of New Canaan requesting the installation of speed humps and other traffic-calming measures along Mill Road and River Road.

Purpose and Rationale
River Road and Mill Road, located in the historic Silvermine section of New Canaan, has become increasingly hazardous due to persistent and excessive speeding. The road’s narrow and curvilinear design, combined with the absence of sidewalks and street lighting, presents significant safety challenges for residents, pedestrians, and motorists alike.

Despite existing speed limit signage and law enforcement presence, vehicles—both private and commercial—routinely travel well above the posted limits, particularly during peak commuting hours. This endangers pedestrians, families walking with children, cyclists, and pet owners. Longtime residents report numerous near-miss incidents and daily occurrences of unsafe driving behavior. It is widely recognized within the neighborhood that, absent intervention, a serious accident is likely inevitable.

Background and Contributing Factors
Residential Character: River Road and Mill Road is a fully residential street bordered by the Silvermine River and the town lines of New Canaan, Wilton, and Norwalk. Approximately 70–75% of households include preschool or school-aged children.

Topography and Visibility: The roadway’s narrow width, multiple hills, and curves create approximately eight to nine blind spots, further exacerbated by natural vegetation. Roughly 25% of homes require on-street parking, and many driveways meet the definition of “blind driveways.”

Pedestrian and Recreational Use: The road is frequently used by residents and visitors for walking, running, cycling, and dog walking—often including families with young children and senior citizens.

Increased Commercial Traffic: Over the past several years, commercial and delivery vehicle traffic has risen substantially due to nearby businesses such as GrayBarns and the Mercantile Café, in addition to frequent deliveries from Amazon, UPS, and FedEx. Double-parked vehicles frequently obstruct visibility at curves and hill crests.

Cut-Through Traffic: Due to its proximity to Route 7, I-95, the Merritt Parkway, and local town centers, Mill Road and River Road serves as a convenient cut-through for both private and commercial drivers.

Requested Actions
In light of these safety concerns, the undersigned residents respectfully request that the Town of New Canaan take the following actions:

Install strategically placed speed humps along Mill Road and River Road to reduce vehicle speeds, particularly approaching known blind spots.

Standardize the posted speed limit to a uniform 20 miles per hour for the entire length of River Road and Mill Road (currently alternating between 20–25 mph).

We understand that traffic-calming measures require review and planning, and as per our attendance and communication with the town, we are more than willing to cooperate fully with the town to ensure the installation is a smooth process. 

Conclusion
This petition reflects the collective concern of residents who seek to ensure the safety, livability, and integrity of our neighborhood. We believe the proposed measures are practical, cost-effective, and in alignment with the Town of New Canaan’s commitment to public safety and community well-being.

By signing below, the residents of Mill Road and River Road affirm our shared commitment to protecting the safety and well-being of all who live, walk, and travel on this road. We urge the Town of New Canaan to act promptly and decisively to prevent a foreseeable tragedy. Further, we kindly request an update on the speed hump assessment that was discussed at a recent Commission meeting on September 17, 2025 at the earliest opportunity.