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HomeMy Public PortalAboutTraffic Commission Meeting Minutes October 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 November 1, 2016 October, 2016 Traffic Commission Meeting Minutes In attendance: Michael Lawn, Mario Orangio, Gerald Mee, Steven Magoon, John S. Airasian, Kelly Gallagher At the October 26, 2016 Traffic Commission meeting the following items were discussed: Item 1— Mr. Airasian made a motion to approve the minutes of the September, 2016 Traffic Commission meeting; the motion was seconded by Mr. Magoon. The motion passed unanimously. Item 2 — The Commission addressed a request by Mark Ciano of Wells Ave to modify the parking meter hours of operation on Wells Avenue, and to remove the Do Not Enter restriction from the easterly egress of the Coolidge Square Municipal Parking Lot onto Wells Avenue. Mr. Magoon explained that Mr. Ciano and other residents of Wells Avenue met during a neighborhood meeting. The conversation moved toward parking issues associated with the newly reconstructed and redesigned Coolidge Square Municipal Parking Lot. Wells Avenue residents like to park overnight at the on -street parking spaces and understand they have to leave early in the morning. The parking meters get filled in by delivery trucks and businesses. They would like to leave their vehicles on the street later in the morning. Also, as residents drive through the municipal parking lot, they cannot exit onto Wells Ave from the easterly egress; this means the only way to access is to go around the block. Mr. Magoon suggested perhaps a No Left Turn restriction instead of Do Not Enter restriction for this egress may help the residents. Mr. Mee reported that the signage was set up purposely for the flow of traffic and questioned what impact this proposed change would have and whether the change would be justified. The current traffic pattern works well. Chief Lawn questioned the purpose of changing the hours of operation of the meters for just this particular area. Mr. Mee spoke to the need to generate turnover in the spaces and if the parking spaces fill up, there is a justified need to maintain the current hours of the meters (7:00 am — 6:00 pm). This makes parking available for everyone. Mr. Magoon noted that the Town is currently researching future efforts to use smart meter technology to set meter hours and fees based on demand, but at this time Mr. Magoon does not see a justification to change the current hours of operation. Mr. Mee made a motion to deny the requests to change the meter hours of operation and deny removal of the current Do Not Enter Signs; the motion was seconded by Ms. Gallagher. The motion passed unanimously. Item 3 — The Commission continued a discussion concerning requests by Mr. Michael DiMuccio of 67 Chestnut Street for the installation of cautionary Slow Children signage in the area of 67 and 69 Chestnut Street, the installation of school zone and speed limit signs on Chestnut Street, a reduction of the speed limit from 30 mph to 20 mph, a restriction of parking on the west side of Chestnut Street in the area of 67 Chestnut Street, and a No Turn on Red restriction on Myrtle Street at Pleasant Street. Sgt. Sampson provided a brief summary of the Commission's discussion from the September, 2016 meeting. Mr. Mee reported that the Goddard School currently does not meet the standards to qualify for a school zone, and would also be hesitant to move forward on this request because it did not originate from the School. Mr. Mee would support the installation of cautionary "Slow Children" signage in the area. With respect to the request for no parking, Mr. Mee was concerned about removing parking and causing an increase in vehicle speeds on the street. These can be readdressed if necessary when the school opens. Based on the fact that the area is not a school zone and that the speed survey did not reflect an issue in the area (average speed was 15.69 mph, the 85th percentile was 20 mph, and the maximum recorded speed was 27 mph) Mr. Mee did not support a reduction in the speed limit. Mr. Airasian also supported cautionary "Slow Children" signs in the area. Mr. Magoon made a motion to deny requests for additional speed signage on Chestnut Street and to install cautionary "Slow Children" signage in the area of 67 and 69 Chestnut Street; the motion was seconded by Mr. Airasian. The motion was passed unanimously. The Commission then discussed Mr. DiMuccio's request for a No Turn on Red restriction at the intersection of Myrtle Street at Pleasant Street. Mr. Magoon reported that there is a short sight distance at this location, and a No Turn on Red would make sense. The short sight distance causes vehicles to creep into the intersection, and because of the setback of the crosswalk motorists may not notice a pedestrian. Mr. Mee reported that Pleasant Street was recently reconstructed. The Town of Watertown signed a traffic control agreement with the State for this project. A No Turn on Red restriction can be installed but a traffic control modification request must first be submitted to the State. The westerly crosswalk on Pleasant Street at Myrtle Street was purposely set back from the intersection in order to satisfy sight line and handicap issues. Mr. Airasian felt that a No Turn on Red may increase safety particularly when children are walking to the DCR Dealtry Pool. Mr. Mee would support a request to the State to determine whether a No Turn on Red restriction could be placed at this intersection. Mr. Airasian made a motion to apply for a No Turn on Red restriction on Myrtle Street at Pleasant Street; the motion was seconded by Mr. Mee. The motion was passed unanimously. Item 4 — The Commission continued a discussion concerning a request by Mr. Robert Rossi, owner of First Step Childcare Center at 1078 Belmont Street to restrict parking on the west side of Prospect Street from a point 70' south of Belmont Street to a point 82' south of Belmont Street. Sgt. Sampson summarized the history of Mr. Rossi's issues with vehicles blocking his gate on Prospect Street. At the September meeting, the Commission questioned whether the problem area would qualify as a loading zone. Mr. Mee reported that the area qualifies and meets the requirements for a loading zone. The loading zone is part of a driveway and there is conflict with parking. Because this is clearly a driveway no parking is being eliminated. Chief Lawn agreed with Mr. Mee. Ms. Gallagher reported that she regularly travels through this area and the roadway is often congested due to vehicles parked on both sides. Ms. Gallagher felt it would be beneficial to clear this area. Mr. Magoon made a motion to restrict parking on the west side of Prospect Street from a point 70' south of Belmont Street to a point 82' south of Belmont Street and designate this area as a loading zone; the motion was seconded by Mr. Airasian. The motion was passed unanimously. New Business — Sgt. Sampson reported that as a result of Mr. Ciano's requests for changes to Wells Avenue and the Coolidge Square Municipal Parking lot, he and Mr. Aiello from the Department of Public Works assessed the area. At that time, two concerns were noted: • Due to the recent reconstruction and redesign of the Coolidge Square Municipal Parking Lot, there is a 17' section of curbing between the rear parking lot of 264 Arlington Street and the Municipal Lot. This section of curbing is not metered, nor is it the typical 20' length provided for an adequate parking space. Although a smaller car may fit in this section without encroaching on the parking lot aprons, a larger vehicle would either encroach on the aprons or cause significant difficulty for motorists attempting to enter or exit the lots. Sgt. Sampson recommended that parking be prohibited on this 17' section of roadway. • Motorists have been regularly parking their vehicles on Wells Ave near Arlington Street; this area is neither posted nor metered. In order to maintain consistency on this roadway, Sgt. Sampson recommended that the Commission create 2 additional metered parking spaces on Wells Ave. This could be accomplished by installing a double -headed parking meter on the north side of Wells Avenue, 57' west of Arlington Street. Both issues will be discussed at the November, 2016 Traffic Commission Meeting. No other new business was brought to the Commission. Mr. Magoon made a motion to adjourn; the motion was seconded by Mr. Airasian. The motion passed unanimously. Meeting adjourned. Respectfully submitted, Sgt. David Sampson Assistant to the Traffic Commission