Link back to Traffic Committee Meeting Minutes
TOWN OF HINGHAM
TRAFFIC COMMITTEE
Police Chief Taylor A.B. Mills, Chairman
Sgt. David Horte, Representative for Chief Mills
Lt. John Haley, Representative for Chief Mark Duff
Harry Sylvester , DPW
Paul K. Healey, Planning Board
Philip Resca
Leslie Kehoe
Michael Pevarnik
TO: Board of Selectmen
FROM: Chief Taylor Mills
RE: Minutes of May 27, 2009 – Traffic Committee Meeting
DATE: May 28, 2009
PRESENT: Sgt. Horte NOT PRESENT: Lt. Haley
Harry Sylvester Paul Healey
Leslie Kehoe
Michael Pevarnik
Philip Resca
Sgt. Horte called the meeting to order at 7:00 PM. Discussion ensued regarding a matter addressed at the previous meeting related to a crosswalk at Gardner and Main Street. A recommendation was sent to the Selectmen’s Office and Harry Sylvester suggested following up with the Selectmen’s office and the MA Highway Dept. since the process needs to be accelerated.
A motion was made by Sgt. Horte to accept the minutes of the previous meeting. Philip Resca seconded this with all in favor.
Patricia Coyle, the Treasurer of the Bare Cove Park Committee suggested that speed warning signs be posted in the Bare Cove Park parking lot near the ball field for
safety purposes. Harry Sylvester recommended revisiting the issue approximately
a year from now when the fields are in operation. He also recommended approaching
the Selectmen regarding including funding in the budget for signs, crosswalks, etc. that
would be needed in that area.
Jed Lowrie from Lennar Associates requested signs on HMS Stayner Drive for parking limits and restrictions. Sgt. Horte and Harry Sylvester pointed out that the area is private property in which case they have the right to post whatever signs they choose. The Shipyard property owners did sign off to allow the Police Department to enforce traffic laws in a document presented to the Selectmen’s office. Harry Sylvester advised Mr. Lowrie to contact Sue Eddy of the Zoning Board of Appeals regarding the Order of Conditions and to clarify what guidelines need to be followed. Mr. Lowrie would like to be able to post two hour parking limits during construction. The decision was made to wait to take the matter any further until Committee member Paul Healey could attend and provide further advice.
Andrea Sullivan of Playground Road documented the traffic problems that have been occurring on Playground Road. Problems include poor visibility when exiting onto Main Street, blind spots, very narrow road and fairly heavy foot traffic with mothers and small children taking a shortcut to the playground. Mrs. Sullivan was wondering if the Town could do anything to assist with the situation such as signage, etc. Much discussion ensued but the final outcome was that Playground Road is a private way, in which case improvements cannot be taken on by the Town. It was suggested that a mirror on a nearby tree might assist motorists and walkers in safely exiting the street. It was also mentioned that she could contact the Light Dept. regarding installing a mirror on a light pole next to the tree. Harry Sylvester also suggested that the residents could install a speed bump to slow cars down as well. Michael Pevarnik asked Sgt. Horte and Harry Sylvester if there was anything in writing that could assist residents asking questions about private ways and the answer was that all of the private ways are different and unique and there is no general rule for them.
Mr. Robert Achille (not in attendance) asked that an item be put on the agenda for this meeting regarding expansion plans for the Hobart Street Transfer Station. According to Harry Sylvester, there are no plans as of now for a major expansion of the schedule. It was discussed that there was the possibility of the Transfer Station being opened an extra day for commercial and bulky waste only (not for residential trash and recycling) but that would mean that they would need to have extra personnel which is not in the FY2010 Budget for salaries and overtime. The issue of an expansion of hours is only a rumor at this time and not a fact as confirmed by Harry Sylvester of the DPW.
Stoddard Road resident John Thomas submitted a document for consideration as an item on the next meeting’s agenda concerning parking issues on both sides of the road despite signs stating no parking. Most offenses take place when events are held at the High School which is located across the street. Mr. Thomas is requesting no parking on one side of the street only as a solution to the problem. Sgt. Horte and Harry Sylvester concurred that wouldn’t be a fair option for residents living on the side of the road that allowed parking and that the best solution would be enforcement of the current signage.
The meeting was adjourned at 9:00 PM.