Link back to Traffic Committee Meeting Minutes
Police Chief Taylor A.B. Mills, Chairman
Sgt. Steven Dearth, Representative for Chief Mills
Lt. John Haley, Representative for Chief Mark Duff
Harry Sylvester, DPW
Paul K. Healey, Planning Board
Leslie Kehoe
Scott Peterson, Esquire
Harold Goldstein
James Costello
TO: Board of Selectmen
FROM: Chief Taylor Mills
RE: Minutes of February 23, 2011 Traffic Committee Meeting
DATE: February 24, 2011
PRESENT:
Steven Dearth, Sergeant, Hingham Police Department
Harry Sylvester, Hingham DPW
Paul K. Healey, Hingham Planning Board
Leslie Kehoe
James Costello
NOT PRESENT:
Lt. John Haley
Scott Peterson
Sgt. Dearth called the meeting to order at 7:00 PM.
A motion was made by Paul Healey, seconded by Leslie Kehoe, to accept the minutes as written of the previous meeting on 12/22/10. Unanimous vote in favor.
Sgt. Dearth informed the Committee of Harold Goldstein’s resignation which was due to the fact that he has been appointed to another Town Committee. Sgt. Dearth also expressed appreciation for his dedication and service to the Traffic Committee.
I. South Elementary School Overflow Parking on Independence Lane
Independence Lane resident Bruce Fought spoke in behalf of a number of residents who
were unable to attend. Mr. Fought reported that on February 8, 2011, he took pictures with his cell phone and was verbally abused by a parent who was picking up his daughter along with other people who objected to his actions. He stated that “entitled” parents were jeopardizing children’s safety by creating congestion in the area and a hazard since
emergency vehicles are unable to access the neighborhood. Independence Lane resident
Michelle Grady commented that the situation has improved recently but is concerned
about the unsafe conditions created by congested parking and idling while parents wait
for their children. Visibility has further been impeded by the snow piles this winter.
It was noted that the Hingham Journal article was helpful to spotlight the problem
and encourage parents to follow the procedures initiated by South School Principal
Eliza Burns who has been incredibly proactive in dealing with the situation. Paul Healey
(Planning Board) stated that he spoke with both Principal Burns and Supt. Dorothy Galo
and reported that they aren’t able to change their current schedules for buses, etc. to
alleviate the problem and that as a result of that inquiry, was satisfied that school department had done all it could to address the issue from its end. The Police Department needs to be more active in the enforcement of regulations and issue tickets instead of warnings . Paul Healey suggested that the Police Department keep a list of warnings issued to drivers near schools in order to keep track of repeat offenders, which would serve to overcome the reluctance that some officers have shown in issuing tickets to residents. Sgt. Dearth replied that would be difficult to coordinate but he would look into the matter.
Sgt. Dearth stated that signage in the area would enable officers to enforce the posted areas which should have the desired effect of deterring parents from parking in the area. Tickets could be issued to offenders based on the fact that signs are posted. James Costello made a motion for signage and Leslie Kehoe seconded the motion. Discussion
ensued to clarify what would be needed in regards to signage and location specifics since
the recommendation needs to be made to the Board of Selectmen. The Traffic Committee is recommending that 16-20 “No Parking Anytime” signs and sign posts be
installed on the island and on both sides of Independence Lane up to #12 which is approximately 300 feet in on Independence Lane. The Committee is also recommending that signs be posted on both sides of the road on Liberty Pole Road from
#27-30 which is approximately 300 feet in on Liberty Pole Road. Independence Lane resident Michelle Grady asked if this restriction would extend to residents and it Sgt. Dearth confirmed that it would but there really wouldn’t be a high priority enforcement
issue any time other than the afternoon when children are getting out of school. The cost of the signs was discussed and Harry Sylvester (DPW) stated that the cost would be
approximately $1,600.00 which would include 16-20 signs, the sign posts and labor. He also recommended that this expenditure should come from the School Department budget
as it is school related and this money should not come out of the DPW budget. Paul Healey asked if this would be precedent-setting but Harry Sylvester pointed out that
the condo association at 59 Water Street paid for the initial cost of installing the crosswalk as well as the crosshatched landing zone which they requested in 2010. It appeared that shifting the cost of this traffic remediation was something that had occurred in the past and would also serve to as guidance for future decisions of this nature.
James Costello made a motion to recommend to the Board of Selectmen that signage be installed at Independence Lane and Liberty Pole Road as detailed above and that the cost be paid for by the School Department. The motion was seconded by Leslie Kehoe with
all in favor.
II. Request for Crosswalk at Jackass Park
Shirley Rydell of the Shade Tree Committee submitted a letter requesting that a
crosswalk be installed from Main Street to Jackass Park as their Committee is considering whether or not to have Jackass Park professionally redesigned. This would enable people to have easier access to the Park in the event that they
install paths, benches and perhaps play areas. The other option they are considering
is having it be a beautiful park to drive by, with nothing to encourage people to enter it.
Discussion ensued and the consensus was that a crosswalk in the area is not feasible
due to the fact that there is no safe landing zone and it would be too dangerous for children. If children were to play ball in the park, it would be a distraction for drivers as well as risky for children if balls were to go into the street. The Committee unanimously
agreed option #2 should be used which is to have the Park be used as a beautiful park to drive by and not encourage people to enter it for safety reasons.
III. Station Street Parking
The issue of parking limits and restrictions in the Station Street area was once again discussed. The merchants on Station Street (Sub Galley, Hair Salon, etc.) would like to have a one hour parking limit but Harry Sylvester noted that there is nowhere to post the signs. Harry Sylvester noted that varying times for parking limits would be confusing
as well as having multiple signs in the area would be a maintenance as well as an
enforcement nightmare. Paul Healey stated that signage in the downtown area needed to
be consistent to which Leslie Kehoe agreed. Leslie Kehoe observed that customers of the Sub Galley for the most part wouldn’t be parking longer than 15 minutes and there
is parking on the side of the building which is marked for Sub Galley customers only.
Customers for Sub Galley and adjacent businesses could also park in the public lot
as noted by Leslie Kehoe. Harry Sylvester suggested posting signs for two hour parking
in that location for now and revisit the matter when the Biergarten is ready to open.
Ben Wilcox of the HDIC noted that the concept of 15 minute parking is not intended to
be merchant specific.
IV. Update on High Crash Locations
Sgt. Dearth presented the updated list of high crash locations which includes data
through 12/31/10. The crash locations involved in the study are intersections.
The five locations with the most crashes are: Summer Street at Rotary (14 crashes in 2010), Whiting/Derby/Gardner Street (12 crashes in 2010), Chief Justice Cushing Highway/Kilby Street (8 crashes in 2010), Derby Street at Rte. 3 North Ramps (7 accidents in 2010), Derby Street overpass (6 accidents in 2010). It was noted that the Main/Cushing/S. Pleasant Street intersection was #9 on the list with 5 crashes in 2010.
Paul Healey stated that the study shows that High/French Streets is low on the list (#13)
with 4 crashes in 2010 which is an improvement from 2009 (7 crashes). James Costello
pointed out that the decrease in accidents has been significant from 2006 (1,044) to
2010 (838) and proves that driving has gotten safer in Hingham in the past five years. Sgt. Dearth said that he will review Whiting/Derby/Gardner Streets as well as Lincoln/Downer/Thaxter/Broad Cove Road to further analyze data and will present his
findings to the Committee at the next meeting. Paul Healey inquired as to an extended
green light at Downer Ave. to improve traffic flow. Sgt. Dearth responded that a state
traffic engineer is looking into the matter. Carol Meyer of the Hingham Journal asked
about the Rotary to which Harry Sylvester replied that the State is looking into it. Harry
went on to say that the Town has prioritized the Derby Street area for improvement.
Paul Healey stated that the Planning Board has applied for a grant to do a corridor study
of the Derby Street area to study potential mitigation measures which could include widening lanes, exit ramps, etc. James Costello informed the Committee that he attended the recent Advisory Committee meeting at which Paul Healey presented the Committee’s findings on the issue of Main/Cushing/S. Pleasant Streets. Paul Healey reported that the Advisory Committee and Board of Selectmen voted that no action should be taken.
A motion was made by Paul Healey to adjourn the meeting which was seconded
by Leslie Kehoe.
The meeting was adjourned at 8:30 pm.
Respectfully Submitted,
Jan Jacobson
Administrative Assistant
Hingham Police Department