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HomeMy Public PortalAboutTraffic Commission Meeting Minutes April 2018TOWN OF WATERTOWN TRAFFIC COMMISSION Michael P. Lawn Chief of Police Michael P. Lawn, Chair Robert Quinn, Fire Chief Gerald Mee, Supt. of Public Works Steven Magoon, Community Development and Planning Mr. John S. Airasian Ms. Kelly Gallagher April 26, 2018 April, 2018 Traffic Commission Meeting Minutes In attendance: Michael Lawn, Robert Quinn, Gerald Mee, John S. Airasian, Kelly Gallagher At the April 25, 2018 Traffic Commission meeting, members discussed following items: David Sampson Sergeant Tel: 617-972-6547 Item 1— Mr. Airasian made a motion to approve the minutes of the March, 2018 Traffic Commission meeting; Chief Quinn seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously. Item 2 — The Commission reviewed a request by Mr. Joe Renaud of Markforged, Inc. 85 School Street to install a crosswalk spanning School Street at the intersection of Cypress Street. Mr. Renaud explained that he is the Plant Manager and Health and Safety Officer for Markforged. The company has been at this location since August 2017 and currently 125 employees work at this site. Approximately 40 employees park in a lot on Cypress Street; the company rents these spaces through their lease. Mr. Airasian provided some historical background of the building and the parking lot. He was in favor of a crosswalk if one could be installed in a safe location. Chief Lawn stated that the Commission is always in favor of safety improvements however, there was concern about adequate sight lines for motorists traveling south on School Street toward Arsenal Street. These vehicles are coming around a curve in the road and may not have enough time to see pedestrians and react. A crosswalk at that location may give pedestrians a false sense of security. Alternative locations for a crosswalk may result in significant losses of on -street parking. Mr. Mee agreed with Chief Lawn's points. Mr. Mee explained that by installing a crosswalk at that location, it is an indication to pedestrians that it is safe to cross there. Sight lines may be adequate at this location but Mr. Mee was not comfortable assuming this was the case. In terms of placing a crosswalk away from the intersection, generally the Town tries to avoid installing mid -block crosswalks. The potential loss of parking in this area is also a consideration. Mr. Mee suggested that the Commission delay their decision to allow the Town's traffic engineering consultants to examine the safety issues in this area. The Commission agreed with Mr. Mee. The Commission will readdress this request after analysis by the Town's traffic engineering consultants. Item 3 — Ms. Laura Wiener, Senior Transportation Planner introduced the MBTA Cambridge -Watertown Bus Priority pilot program. Ms. Wiener explained that the pilot program, which aims to improve service, would involve the number 71 bus (Watertown Square to Harvard Square). The program is in the draft stages and includes the following potential changes on Mount Auburn Street in Watertown: • A bus/bike only lane from Cottage Street to the Cambridge city line • Dedicated bus queueing lanes at two locations along Mount Auburn Street that will allow busses to move to the front of the line at traffic signals Ms. Wiener reported that there is a public meeting on May 1, 2018 at 1700 hours at the Tufts Health Plan building. After the meeting, coordinators will finalize the program plans. Mr. Mee commended Ms. Wiener's efforts in this program. He explained that as the busses travel more efficiently, so will the general traffic; this would be extremely beneficial to the Town. New Business — The Commission heard no new business. Mr. Airasian made a motion to adjourn; Ms. Gallagher seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously. Meeting adjourned. Respectfully submitted, Sgt. David Sampson Assistant to the Traffic Commission