Link back to Traffic Committee Meeting Minutes
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 July 22, 2009 – Traffic Committee Meeting
DATE: July 23, 2009
PRESENT: Sgt. Horte NOT PRESENT: Lt. John Haley
Paul Healey Michael Pevarnik
Leslie Kehoe
Philip Resca
Harry Sylvester
Sgt. Horte called the meeting to order at 7:06 PM.
A motion was made by Sgt. Horte to accept the minutes of the previous meeting.
Philip Resca seconded this with all in favor.
Stoddard Road resident John Thomas presented his request for a change in parking regulations on Stoddard Road to No Parking on one side of the road. His main objective was to ensure that emergency vehicles could access the road during heavily attended events the High School citing that there are three 80 year old residents on the street. After much discussion of possible solutions, Sgt. Horte noted that enforcement was the best answer and that residents would need to notify the Police Department when parking violations occurred so that vehicles could be ticketed. Another way to rectify this problem was suggested by Paul Healey who stated that the School Department should notify the Police Department and Sgt. Horte of upcoming events for which parking is sure to be an issue. Sgt. Horte can then note on the shift roster for patrols to be increased in that area at the time of the event which would curtail illegal parking. Hingham resident Christine Roberts also suggested that the Schools could send out an email encouraging parents to carpool when possible at events due to the parking shortage which is an issue at all of the schools in Town.
Danielle Von Ess of East Street presented her request for a sidewalk and/or a crosswalk at East Street and Hull Street or signage to enable pedestrians to safely cross the street. Harry Sylvester stated that a sidewalk wouldn’t necessary improve safety and noted that the area has been part of a traffic engineering study multiple times and it was determined that it was not a safe area to put a crosswalk Sgt. Horte noted that a safe zone was required in order to install a crosswalk and that this area did not meet those requirements. Sgt. Horte and Harry Sylvester both agreed that the reason is due to visibility problems. For a possible solution to the problem, Sgt. Horte said that he would put this area on the Hot Sheet for enforcement for speeding since that’s a big problem on that street. He also said that he would put the Traffic Trailer there which shows the speed of vehicles passing by since having it there has the affect of slowing oncoming traffic to the posted speed limit. Harry Sylvester noted this area has been studied and it was determined that it needs to be redesigned to improve safety and reduce speeding; however there had been no money in the budget for it this fiscal year. He stated that they hoped to have it in the budget next fiscal year. Mrs. Von Ess requested a sign in the meantime and Harry Sylvester said that he would look into a “Go Slow-Children” sign for the area since there are many families with children in that neighborhood.
Downing Street resident Christine Roberts requested a change to the crosswalk at Main and Pleasant Streets since it currently leads up a small hill and stairs which makes it difficult to access with strollers and bicycles and is not accessible to the handicapped. Suggestions were made that another crosswalk could go in front of the Fire Station, in front of GAR Hall, between GAR Hall and the Congregational Church and by Aberdeen Road. Paul Healey said that he felt a good place for the crosswalk would be in front of the Fire Station since that has a zone of safety, visibility-wise. Harry Sylvester stated that various locations would be reviewed and the issue would be revisited with the Committee at the next meeting. Harry also pointed out that it costs $70,000.00 per year for DPW to paint all of the crosswalks in Town.
A letter was submitted by Jennie Larkins in regards to crosswalks on Beal Street. Sgt. Horte stated that a raised crosswalk was slated to be put in on Beal Street in the near future.
The proposed crosswalk at Main and Gardner Street was discussed. Sgt. Horte updated the Committee that a crosswalk is actually being installed at Blaisdell Road instead and is in the works right now.
Philip Resca pointed out that speeding is a factor on Hobart Street and Sgt. Horte said that he would put that issue on the Traffic Hotsheet.
Resident Paul Hennessey notified the Committee of a problem on Thaxter Street near Bradley Park Drive at which point the curb isn’t visible, especially in the rain and a near accident occurred recently in this area. Harry Sylvester said that DPW would look into the matter. He also brought up the matter of street signs not being posted right at the end of streets and were not always visible. He also suggested that perhaps stop signs could be posted on light poles if they were at the end of the street. Harry Sylvester replied that no stop signs were allowed on light poles per the Light Department due to liability issues.
Paul Healey recommended that the Committee send a memo to the Selectmen requesting that additional funding be allocated to DPW for paint for the Town’s crosswalks as maintaining them properly is a safety issue.
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Sgt. Horte motioned to adjourn the meeting and Leslie Kehoe seconded the motion with all in favor.
The meeting was adjourned at 8:35 pm.