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Minutes of November 24, 2009 – Traffic Committee Meeting
PRESENT:
Sgt. Horte
Harry Sylvester
Leslie Kehoe
Lt. John Haley
Paul Healey
NOT PRESENT:
Michael Pevarnik
Phil Resca
Sgt. Horte called the meeting to order at 7:05 PM.
A motion was made by Sgt. Horte to accept the minutes of the previous meeting.
Harry Sylvester seconded this with all in favor.
Bill Thayer from New North Church presented the church’s request for a crosswalk from the Lincoln Statue to the church citing safety issues. Also requested was signage indicating the presence of the crosswalk. This request stems from the fact that classes are held at the church during the week which are mainly attended by children. After Mr. Thayer’s presentation, Harry Sylvester explained that the Town is not responsible for the parking situation at the church as it is private property. He also reiterated that the site isn’t a viable location for a crosswalk since there’s no pedestrian landing at the statue. The church has offered to trim the bushes to increase visibility which was deemed to be a good idea by all. Paul Healey, Lt. Haley and Sgt. Horte all agreed that the location isn’t acceptable for a crosswalk and which time spirited discussion ensued. Sgt. Horte stated that the location isn’t a dangerous area statistically. Sgt. Horte offered to add the church to the Traffic Hot Sheet for extra patrol and enforcement. The consensus was that there are crosswalks nearby that can be safely and easily utilized. Harry Sylvester recommended that the Committee visit the site for possible solutions other than a crosswalk. This issue will be revisited at the next meeting.
The issue of the crosswalk at Main, Central and Cedar Streets was revisited. Smith Road Resident Peg Doyle is requesting a safer spot for the crosswalk due to poor visibility at the current location. The poor visibility is due to bushes which are on private property. Harry Sylvester noted that the resident has been approached regarding trimming the bushes but refuses to do so since they help to reduce the noise of the Main Street traffic. Harry Sylvester asked Sgt. Horte to send a letter to the resident asking that the bushes be trimmed due to safety issues as this would assist greatly with pedestrian safety. Harry also noted that to remove the current crosswalk is problematic as the paint is permanent paint and would still show through to a degree. The idea of adding a crosswalk on Main Street in the area of Deborah Prescott’s residence opposite the entrance to Haley Field was suggested and considered an advisable remediatory step to take to address the concern of Mr. and Mrs. Doyle.
Hillside Terrace resident Thomas Bryne requested a survey to get the measurement of the Town’s land in the neighborhood’s cul de sac. Mr. Bryne needs to turn his vehicle (with a trailer) around and a neighbor will not allow it as he feels it’s his land. Paul Healey replied that this issue is essentially a neighborhood dispute and it was determined that a survey study did not warrant the kind of monetary expenditure necessary to bring the roadway into compliance with the originally issued certificate of action.
Greg Sullivan represented area businesses on Water Street who are requesting a crosswalk at Water and Station Streets in front of 59 Water Street. Mr. Sullivan identified himself as the trustee of the trust that owns the building on Water Street which his law office is located. Mr. Sullivan requested the installation of a crosswalk at the intersection of Water and Station Streets but it was felt that the parking issue needed to be further analyzed with respect to the parking model established by the traffic engineer hired by the Town in connection with the Biergarten Project (the former Settle’s Glass). The model adopted by the Planning Board divided areas of the Square (which Water Street is a part of) into zones. The idea is to make sure that one zone doesn’t take away available parking from the other in connection with the use it has. The applicant was asked to list all of the businesses in that building and how many parking spaces were allocated to each such business so that we could make sure the site was not over parked to begin with and would be made worse by taking away a parking spot as proposed by the applicant. The applicant indicated that they would provide the Traffic Committee with a breakdown of the spaces and business uses.
A related issue was brought up pertaining to unused parking spaces at Station Street marked for Sewer Department use only. Apparently, that location is no longer used and the spaces have remained empty and unused for months as observed by the Water Street business owners. This situation will be investigated.
A letter from Garrett Bradley was reviewed regarding the request that a traffic light with pedestrian signal be installed at Kilby Street and Rte. 3A. Rep. Bradley stated that the short term solution would be to have crossing guards stationed there in a letter to Dr. Dorothy Galo, Superintendent of Schools. The letter also stated that State Transportation officials have agreed to take a close look at the intersection but that future upgrades are at least five years down the road. They will immediately install fluorescent signs along Rte. 3A at the intersection in the meantime.
A letter from Thaxter Street resident Tim Dawson-Townsend was reviewed as a possible item for the next meeting’s agenda. Traffic calming measures similar to those being instituted on Beal Street are being requested.
The date for the next meeting was suggested as being 1/27/10. A motion was made by Sgt. Horte to adjourn the meeting and seconded by Leslie Kehoe.
The meeting was adjourned at 9:20 PM.