DEERFIELD — Drivers will be expected to slow down while on the road, as the townwide speed limit has been reduced to 25 mph in places where no limit is posted.

After years of complaints and resident approval at the April 2022 Town Meeting, the Select Board voted at its May 31 meeting to officially reduce the townwide speed limit in an effort to slow down speeders, with a particular focus on some of South Deerfield’s residential neighborhoods.

The implementation will begin with signs placed at the entrances to town notifying drivers of the speed limit, similar to what Greenfield has in place at its city limits.

“The idea is to get some safety in town,” said Select Board member Trevor McDaniel. “I know that some people don’t feel it works. I feel it works very well.”

Speaking by phone this week, McDaniel said the new limit will only affect roads that do not have posted speed limits. He doesn’t anticipate that the town will change established limits, either.

Complaints about speeding, Select Board Chair Carolyn Shores Ness said, have been common throughout her long tenure on the board.

“We often get complaints … especially when it’s good weather out and little kids are out on their bicycles,” Shores Ness said by phone. “I think that’s why there’s so much townwide support for a lower speed limit.”

While some residents might suggest speed bumps, McDaniel said those bring their own problems, like higher costs and potential damage to vehicles.

Specific areas include several South Deerfield roads, such as Thayer Street, often used as a shortcut from Sugarloaf Street to Long Plain Road Extension/South Main Street. The meeting information packet contained an email from longtime Thayer Street resident Mary Moore, who described speeding on the street as dating back decades. Moore’s email ultimately led to the topic being put on the Select Board’s agenda.

“What a horrible thing if somebody gets hurt,” Shores Ness said. “Schools will be out soon and it seems like a good time.”

McDaniel believes Thayer Street doesn’t have a posted speed limit and the Police Department will be installing a flashing speed sign to alert drivers that are traveling too fast.

Residents have agreed with a change in speed limits in the past as well, with fellow Select Board member Tim Hilchey noting that voters gave the board authority to lower the speed limits at last April’s Town Meeting.

“If we passed a vote at Town Meeting to support this,” Hilchey said, “then it seems like that’s what townspeople want.”

Chris Larabee can be reached at clarabee@recorder.com or 413-930-4081.