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 March 24, 2010 – Traffic Committee Meeting
DATE: March 25, 2010
PRESENT: Mark Duff, Chief Hingham Fire Department
David Horte, Sergeant, Hingham Police Department
Harry Sylvester, Hingham DPW
Paul K. Healey, Hingham Planning Board
Leslie Kehoe
Philip Resca
Sgt. Horte called the meeting to order at 7:00 PM.
A motion was made by Paul Healey to accept the minutes of the previous meeting.
Leslie Kehoe seconded this with all in favor.
I WATER STREET CROSSWALK
The issue of a crosswalk being installed at Water and Station Streets was revisited from the last meeting. Sgt. Horte presented diagrams of the existing layout and a proposed solution to the committee and to Kathleen Sullivan, Esq. who represented the Condo
Association and businesses located at 59-61 Water Street [hereinafter “Condo Association”]. To ensure that a safe landing zone is available for pedestrians and in light of a concern that drivers might attempt to park in the crosswalk landing zone, Sgt. Horte proposed the creation of a raised concrete landing zone to be funded and constructed by the Condo Association. Harry Sylvester commented that he felt this solution would not work due to drainage and plow issues. Paul Healey suggested installing tactile strips to which Harry Sylvester stated this would create problems with puddles, etc. Harry predicted that the condo association would regret it if they took these actions.
After further discussion, the committee came to an agreement that the best solution is to install a painted crosshatched landing zone in the place of an existing parking spot at 59 Water Street as well as a small strip to the right of that spot (as shown on the attached photograph), and to recommend to the Selectmen, the installation of a crosswalk between this landing zone and the existing curb cut at the northern end of the existing crosswalk across station street at the intersection with Water Street. A picture submitted by the applicant showing the existing parking space as well as the corridor beside it identifies the area to be designated and used by the applicant as the landing area for the crosswalk zone and marked as Exhibit A, attached to these minutes and any recommendation made to the Board of Selectmen. In no event shall the crosswalk landing space be any narrower than 12 feet.
Any such recommendation is subject to the express agreement by the Condominium Association agreeing, in writing, and prior to any such roadway and lane striping to occur, to be responsible for the initial cost for the paint for the crosswalk and crosshatched landing zone. In exchange, the Town would agree to include this crosswalk within its ordinary maintenance schedule of striping and roadway marking and the Condo Association agrees to be responsible for material costs associated with the any ongoing maintenance of the crosshatched landing zone in the area identified as Exhibit A.
Additionally the Condo Association agrees to stripe one additional 9’ by 20’parking space in accordance with the rules and regulations of the Planning Board on the south side of the building, directly adjacent to such building to replace the parking and corridor space lost for the landing zone. On Motion by Paul Healey and second by Sgt. Horte, members voted to so recommend with Leslie Kehoe abstaining.
Additionally, related signage alerting drivers to the crosswalk was discussed and it is determined that appropriate signs will be posted both northbound and southbound on Water Street on the westerly side of the road only, due to lack of suitable sign post locations on the easterly side.
II SEWER DEPARTMENT RESERVED PARKING SPOTS – STATION STREET
Mr. Ben Wilcox, a member of the HDIC raised the matter of a number of parking spaces posted as reserved for the Sewer Department in the Station Street parking lot. He stated that since the Sewer Department headquarters has moved to Downer Avenue, all of these spaces on Station Street might not be needed. It was unclear as to whether these spaces are permitted to Sewer Department in the first place. There is a functional substation on Water Street and while some parking might still be needed, it would be beneficial to the public use to increase the number of available spaces on the Station Street lot. Sgt. Horte will contact Jim Dow of the Sewer Department and will report his findings to the committee at the next meeting.
III HINGHAM CENTER/ ROUTE 228/MAIN STREET
Mr. Declan Boland of 338 Main Street presented three issues, which in his opinion are problematic on Rte. 228/Main Street at Hingham Centre: (1) speeding, (2) crosswalks that are not well marked (old signage); (3) difficult pedestrian access to crosswalk at intersection at Hingham Center. Mr. Boland stated that all state roads that he has encountered are equipped with traffic signals to assist with pedestrian crossing. Harry Sylvester replied that Rte. 228 is a Town road but is numbered by the State. He also acknowledged that he believed the installation of Traffic lights cost approximately $175,000.00, which is not feasible with the Town’s current budgetary constraints.
Sgt. Horte stated that the committee had recently heard an issue regarding the accessibility of a crosswalk located at the Congregational Church and has recommended to the Selectmen to add an additional crosswalk in the area of 367 Main Street, and that this may improve crosswalk accessibility in the area.
Chief Duff stated that he has observed that the complex traffic island was eliminated at Main and Short Streets, which appears to have resulted in increased traffic speeds in that area. Paul Healey confirmed that the new configuration with the turning lane on Main Street (Rt. 228 markings) on to lower Main Street by Dependable Cleaners seems to have opened up that area and therefore has had the effect of increasing traffic speed. Peter Comrack of 340 Main Street said that he often observes cars traveling at speeds as high as 50 MPH.
The difficulty of crossing on Main Street at Hingham Centre was discussed as well. Mr. Boland suggested a reduction of the current 30 MPH posted speed limit. Sgt. Horte responded that this would require a traffic study and Mass Highway approval which would most likely result in the speed limit being raised rather than reduced which would not be in the best interest of public safety. A perception of MBTA buses speeding in the area was also raised by Mr. Boland, to which Chief Duff concurred that he has observed this problem as well. It was suggested that Sgt. Horte contact the MBTA regarding this matter.
Sgt. Horte offered to use of the radar trailer to discourage motorists from speeding as well as to place the area on the Traffic Hotsheet for increased speed enforcement. Paul Healey requested that Sgt. Horte run an analysis of motor vehicle accidents in the Hingham Center area and to present it to the Committee at a future meeting. Mr. Healey also proposed that a police cruiser be parked near the fire station while not in use to serve as a deterrent was discussed. Sgt. Horte said he would inquire as to whether that was something that the Chief of Police would entertain. Harry Sylvester further requested that Sgt Horte should utilize a traffic counter to compile data as well. Sgt. Horte invited Mr. Boland to contact him with feedback regarding these issues.
IV LEFT TURN FROM WATER STREET TO RTE. 3A
Mr. Wilcox of the HDIC inquired as to the possibility of MBTA buses being allowed to turn left from Water Street onto Summer Street (Rte. 3A). This is related to transportation route to the Inter Modal facility being constructed by the MBTA at the commuter boat dock at the Shipyard. Their ultimate goal is to connect the buses to the commuter boat. The committee members unanimously determined that allowing left turns onto Summer Street (Rte. 3A) from Water Street is dangerous due to the requirement of crossing four lanes of traffic as well as heavy traffic volume in the area and cannot be recommended.
The meeting was adjourned at 8:50 PM.