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Traffic Committee

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Committees: Traffic Committee

Traffic Committee

The Traffic Committee is an advisory committee and makes recommendations to the Board of Selectmen for implementation.  It considers all aspects of traffic and safety issues which are brought to the Committee's attention from citizens as well as Town Departments.  For many years it consisted of representatives of the Police Department, Fire Department, Department of Public Works, Parking Clerk, Planning Board, and Light Department.  In 1997, the committee was reorganized to include three citizen representatives, appointed for three year terms, plus the Police Chief (Chairman), Fire Chief, Town Planner and DPW Superintendent.

The Traffic Committee exists to assist Hingham residents and business owners with ways to alleviate traffic concerns in all areas of the Town. The Traffic Committee does not have the power to implement changes but rather recommends proposals to the Board of Selectmen.

Should a resident or merchant have a topic to bring before the Traffic Committee, they should make a written request to the Board of Selectmen, cc: Chief Taylor Mills, Hingham Police Department. Questions regarding traffic issues can by addressed by Sgt. David Horte, Traffic Sergeant, Hingham Police Department, 781-749-1212.

2009 Report

The Traffic Committee exists to assist Hingham residents and business owners with ways to alleviate traffic concerns in all areas of the Town. The Traffic Committee does not have the power to implement changes but rather recommends proposals to the Board of Selectmen.

A Gardener St. requested placement of a crosswalk at Main and Gardner Street. Approval was given by the Committee and a recommendation was made to the Board of Selectmen for installation of the crosswalk.

Committee members discussed the topic of MBTA bus stops at Hingham Shipyard. It was decided that two bus stops on each side of Shipyard Drive was the safest option for pedestrians.

The issue of parking problems on Stoddard Road was raised by a resident in regards to events held at Hingham High School. The solution of no parking signs on one side of the street was requested by the resident but after much discussion, the Committee concurred that the best solution would be to strictly enforce the current signage on the street as well as to have the School notify the Police Department of upcoming events which could cause parking problems.

A crosswalk was requested at 367 Main Street and was approved by the Committee due to the fact that the location has excellent sight lines in the interest of pedestrian safety. A recommendation was made to the Board of Selectmen for installation of this crosswalk.

Due to the fact that many of the Traffic Committee’s recommendations impact the DPW (installation of crosswalks, signage, etc.), the Committee asked DPW Superintendent Randy Sylvester for an amount to be considered for a separate budget line item for FY2011. The amount is $5,500.00 which is based on three new crosswalks, various lines and symbols and six new signs per year. A recommendation was sent to the Board of Selectmen to add this line item to the budget which would help to defray costs of signage, crosswalks, etc. that are recommended by the Traffic Committee.

The Traffic Committee recommended to the Board of Selectmen that a pedestrian signal be installed at Kilby Street and Rte. 3A. Rep. Garrett Bradley replied that future upgrades on this area of Rte. 3A (which is a State road) are five years away. State Transportation officials said that they would immediately install fluorescent signs along Rte. 3A at the Kilby Street intersection in the meantime as a safety measure.

Based on a resident’s concerns regarding a dangerous pedestrian crosswalk currently in place at Main, Central and Cedar Streets, the Traffic Committee recommended to the Board of Selectmen that a Traffic Engineer study this configuration with the goal of determining a safer location for the crosswalk or another solution for better visibilty for both
pedestrians and vehicular traffic.

Should a resident or merchant have a topic to bring before the Traffic Committee, they should make a written request to the Board of Selectmen, cc: Chief Taylor Mills, Hingham Police Department. Questions regarding traffic issues can by addressed by Sgt. David Horte, Traffic Sergeant, Hingham Police Department, 781-804-2205.