Bethel councilman Gary Hutchinson hopes to see motorists drive slower in town, and he plans to do something about it.

The councilman recently moved to petition the state to have the speed limit on a portion of Plane Street lowered to protect neighborhood children.

“This is a traffic safety proposal that involves the area from East Street to the east end of the village on Plane Street,” said Hutchinson. “I would like to have the 35 mph speed limit reduced to 25 mph on this section of East Plane Street for the safety of the many children living in the area. Many young families have moved into the area. There are approximately 40 residences, one church and a 24-unit apartment, and I’ve counted 15-20 elementary age children or younger in the area, plus many more of high school age.”

According to Hutchinson, he regularly sees kids playing in the area, not only on foot but also on bikes, skate boards and scooters. He said that he worries the result will be an accident, and hopes to convince the state to include a study of this portion of Plane Street with a traffic study planned for the other end of Bethel.