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HomeMy Public PortalAboutTraffic Commission Meeting Minutes June 2016TOWN OF WATERTOWN TRAFFIC COMMISSION Michael P. Lawn Chief of Police Michael P. Lawn, Chair Mario Orangio, Fire Chief Gerald Mee, Supt. Of Public Works Steven Magoon, Community Development and Planning Mr. John S. Airasian Ms. Kelly Gallagher David Sampson Sergeant Tel: 617-972-6547 July 8, 2016 June, 2016 Traffic Commission Meeting Minutes In attendance: Mario Orangio, Gerald Mee, Steven Magoon, Kelly Gallagher, John S. Airasian In Chief Lawn's absence, the meeting was chaired by Mr. Airasian. At the June 29, 2016 Traffic Commission meeting the following items were discussed: Item 1— Chief Orangio made a motion to approve the minutes of the May, 2016 Traffic Commission meeting; the motion was seconded by Ms. Gallagher. The motion passed unanimously. Item 2 — The Commission addressed a request by Mr. Charles Fey of 25 Chester Street for the installation of a Handicap Only parking sign in front of 25 Chester Street; Mr. Fey was present at the meeting. Mr. Fey explained that he is a current holder of handicap placard and has many medical issues that prevent him from walking any significant distance. Mr. Fey requested the sign in order to help him access his home. Sgt. Sampson explained that parking on Chester Street is quite congested, and that he would not be opposed to the installation of the Handicap Only parking space at the location if the Commission thought one would be appropriate. Mr. Airasian reported that he viewed the area and found the area to be congested as well and would be in favor of the request. Chief Orangio cautioned Mr. Fey that the Handicap Only space would not be for his exclusive use; any person who properly displays a handicap placard or plate could use this space. Mr. Fey understood the possibility that others may use the space. Chief Orangio made a motion to install a Handicap Only parking sign in front of 25 Chester Street; the motion was seconded by Mr. Magoon. The motion passed unanimously. Item 3 — The Commission addressed a request by Mr. Stephen Barmakian of 142 Forest Street for the installation of a Handicap Only parking sign in front of 142 Forest Street; Mr. Barmakian was present at the meeting. Mr. Barmakian is a WWII disabled veteran and currently possesses a handicap placard. Mr. Barmakian addressed the Commission and explained the geography of his neighborhood and the parking situation in front of his home. Additionally, a significant amount of road construction is underway in the neighborhood; this causes a great deal of difficulty for Mr. Barmakian. Mr. Airasian supported this request. Mr. Mee made a motion to install a Handicap Only parking sign in front of 142 Forest Street; the motion was seconded by Ms. Gallagher. The motion passed unanimously. Item 4 — The Commission addressed a request by Mr. Joe Panto of 3 Ladd Street for the installation of cautionary Slow Children signage in the area of Ladd Street at Ladd Place. Sgt. Sampson explained that this request was submitted through the Town's Civic Plus system, and efforts to follow up with Mr. Panto have not been successful. Sgt. Sampson further noted that Ladd Street may be experiencing cut -through traffic due to its proximity to North Beacon Street. Mr. Mee cautioned the Commission about the number of signs throughout the Town but because these signs could benefit the safety of children, he supported this request. Mr. Magoon made a motion to install cautionary Slow Children signage in the area of Ladd Street at Ladd Place; the motion was seconded by Chief Orangio. The motion passed unanimously. Item 5 — The Commission addressed a request by Ms. Jennifer Bosch, Human Resources Manager of Newly Weds Foods 70-80 Grove Street for a no parking restriction on the west side of Grove Street from a point 42 feet south of the Atrium School driveway (69 Grove Street) to a point 85 feet south of the Atrium School driveway. Mr. Airasian reported that he viewed the area and knows large trucks must regularly access the Newly Weds Foods driveway. Sgt. Sampson explained that the company has had several reports of vehicles being struck while parked on Grove Street opposite the Newly Weds Foods driveway. Sgt. Sampson further explained that previously there was no parking signage in the area to help alleviate this problem however it was not recorded in the Traffic Rules and Orders. Mr. Magoon felt that the Atrium School should be notified about the potential change in regulations near the front of their building, and asked the Commission to delay their decision to allow the Atrium School the opportunity to weigh in on the matter. Mr. Mee agreed with Mr. Magoon's request and added that this is a longstanding issue for Newly Weds Foods. The Commission asked Sgt. Sampson to contact the Atrium School; a decision on this request will be made at the September, 2016 meeting. Item 6 — The Commission addressed a request by Mr. Doug Agule of Chatham Development for the removal of a No Parking sign in front of 76 Westminster Avenue. Sgt. Sampson explained that Chatham Development recently constructed a 2 -unit townhouse at this location, and the company was requesting the removal of a No Parking sign in front of the residence for the convenience of future occupants. Sgt. Sampson explained that the signage currently posted at this location is not recorded in the Traffic Rules and Orders, and there are no other parking restrictions on the west side of Westminster Avenue in this area. Mr. Magoon made a motion to remove the No Parking sign in front of 76 Westminster Avenue; the motion was seconded by Ms. Gallagher. The motion passed unanimously. Item 7 — The Commission addressed a written request by Ms. Katie Pyle of 290 Pleasant Street for the installation of pedestrian signage or a pedestrian walk signal at the intersection of Pleasant Street at Howard Street. Mr. Mee explained that there is a lot going on in that area and suggested that the Commission delay action for this area. Mr. Mee stated that Pleasant Street was recently reconstructed and a traffic warrant analysis was conducted at that time. As a result of the analysis the bend in the road at Howard Street was modified and the crosswalk was moved away from the intersection slightly to provide a better sight lines. Any modifications to the traffic control agreement which was signed with the State would require a warrant analysis and approval by the State. Mr. Mee believed that some enhancements may be possible to make the area safer. Watertown Town Engineer Mr. Matthew Shuman was present for the meeting and noted problems with the intersection including motorists failing to yield for pedestrians, faded crosswalks, and Howard Street's designation as a truck route. The Department of Public Works is currently assessing this area through its collaboration with MassDOT's bicycle and pedestrian safety grant program. Mr. Shuman also presented some possible enhancements for the area, but noted that each enhancement came with unique challenges and constraints due to the geometry of the intersection, the Charles River flood plain, wetlands, and the location of the building at 69 Howard Street. Due to these challenges, the group focused on increasing visibility for pedestrians and is considering rapidly flashing beacons; these are pedestrian activated blinking signs to increase visibility for bicyclists and pedestrians trying to cross Pleasant Street. The recommendation at this time would be to continue working with the MassDOT consultant to assess this option; installing the proper equipment for these beacons and meeting ADA requirements will be difficult however, if these factors can be achieved, MassDOT would fund the project. Mr. Mee made a motion to deny Ms. Pyle's request for a traffic signal, but added that this area is a work in progress and enhancements may be installed at this location; the motion was seconded by Chief Orangio. The motion passed unanimously. Item 8 — The Commission addressed a written request by Ms. Jane Phelan of 33 Palfrey Street to consider an All -Way stop at the intersection of Palfrey Street at Spring Street. This request was continued from the May, 2016 meeting. Sgt. Sampson provided the Commission with accident data for this intersection. Mr. Mee reported that he was not sure a four-way stop would be the proper measure to address the accidents at this intersection. The DPW is already assessing this intersection and is considering the use of similar enhancements that are currently being constructed at the intersection of Palfrey Street at Church Street (motion activated LED stop signs). Traffic patterns at this intersection are similar to the traffic patterns at Church Street at Palfrey Street. Enhancing the stop sign alone may be enough to address the situation, or other techniques may be necessary. This is also a work in progress and is being addressed. Mr. Magoon agreed that the Commission should not install a measure that may not be the proper solution to a perceived problem. He supported the Commission not jumping to a conclusion. The Commission did not act on Ms. Phelan's request for an all -way stop. Item 9 — The Commission addressed a request by Mr. John Airasian to restrict parking on the south side of Coolidge Hill Road from Arlington Street to a point 80 feet east. Mr. Airasian explained that parking is currently allowed on both sides of Coolidge Hill Road near Arlington Street, and that there is a significant amount of traffic traveling in both directions. Also, Mr. Airasian noted that the school bus also picks up and drops off children at this location which further adds to the congestion and confusion in this area. Mr. Airasian felt that restricting parking in this area would enhance safety. Sgt. Sampson agreed with Mr. Airasian and noted that due to the parked cars the school bus must stop in the middle of the street, and small children must walk between the cars to board the bus. The 80 -foot restriction was assessed in collaboration with the Department of Public Works and it is believed this restriction would provide ample space for the bus to pull to the side of the road to conduct student pick-up and drop-off. Mr. Mee made a motion restrict parking on the south side of Coolidge Hill Road from Arlington Street to a point 80 feet east; the motion was seconded by Mr. Magoon. The motion passed unanimously. Item 10 — The Commission addressed a request by Sergeant Sampson of the Watertown Police Department to restrict motor vehicle travel on George Street from Channing Road in a southerly direction between 7:00 am and 3:30 pm when school is in session. Sgt. Sampson explained that the current traffic pattern for the Lowell School results in the vast majority of vehicles traveling northerly on George Street. Sgt. Sampson received many concerns from police officers and crossing guards about the difficulty and confusion created by vehicles that travel southerly on George Street during pick-up and drop-off times. Lowell School Principal Ms. Elizabeth Kaplan believed that a temporary sign restricting southbound traffic used to be at this location, but the sign continues to be lost or stolen. Sgt. Sampson reported that he spoke to 4 out of 5 residents on the east side of George Street between Fuller Road and Channing Road. All 4 were in agreement with the restriction however the occupants of one residence inquired whether the restriction could be for shorter periods of time in the morning and afternoon. Mr. Mee reported that he would support a Do Not Enter sign including the time restrictions attached to an A -frame style barricade at this location in addition to any off-street signage. People may not be aware of signs on the side of the road and a center -road device would be more effective. District C Councilor Vincent Piccirilli was present at the meeting and reported vehicles parked on both sides of the street around the school makes travel difficult and believed that a sign in the middle of the road would be the right approach. Councilor Piccirilli also supported a full -day restriction as opposed to small blocks of time in the morning and afternoon so that half -day dismissals would also be captured by the restriction. Councilor Piccirilli also reported that since the spring when major road construction began in the area, parents seem to ignore the Do Not Enter signs in the Carroll Street area. District C Councilor Piccirilli requested that perhaps Sgt. Sampson could work with the school to write a letter to parents explaining the traffic pattern around the school and increase police visibility. Sgt. Sampson explained that each September the police department works closely with the School and increases visibility in the area to help motorists adapt to the traffic pattern. Mr. Magoon made a motion to restrict motor vehicle travel on George Street from Channing Road in a southerly direction between 7:00 am and 3:30 pm when school is in session; the motion was seconded by Mr. Mee. The motion passed unanimously. New Business a. District B Councilor Lisa Feltner addressed the Commission to report that she is receiving calls from constituents about the increase in "cut -through" traffic particularly in the Arsenal Street neighborhoods. She is also receiving complaints of vehicles parking on sidewalks and all day. Mr. Magoon made a motion to adjourn; the motion was seconded by Chief Orangio. The motion passed unanimously. Meeting adjourned. Respectfully submitted, Sgt. David Sampson Assistant to the Traffic Commission