HomeMy Public PortalAboutTraffic Commission Meeting Minutes October 2018_1TOWN 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
David Sampson
Sergeant
Tel: 617-972-6547
November 19, 2018
October, 2018 Traffic Commission Meeting Minutes
In attendance: Michael Lawn, Robert Quinn, Gerald Mee, Steven Magoon, John S. Airasian
At the October 31, 2018 Traffic Commission meeting, members addressed following items:
Item 1— Mr, Airasian made a motion to approve the minutes of the September, 2018 Traffic Commission
meeting; Mr. Magoon seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously.
Item 2 — The Commission reviewed a request by Ms. Marianne DiLuzio on behalf of Mr. George DiLuzio
of Keenan Street to restrict one parking space in front of 34 Keenan Street to Handicap Parking Only. Ms.
DiLuzio reported that her 86 -year -old father has medical issues and possesses an HP placard. Due to his
medical condition, he is not supposed to walk more than 100 feet. Although there is a driveway at the
residence, it is too far to walk to the door.
Mr. Magoon asked about the length of the walk; Ms. DiLuzio reported that her father uses the front door
as the primary entrance to the home.
Mr. Airasian made a motion to restrict one parking space in front of 34 Keenan Street to Handicap
Parking Only; Chief Quinn seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously.
Item 3 — The Commission reviewed a request by Ms. Margaret Trubek of Repton Place for the installation
of a crosswalk on Waltham Street in the area of either Edward Road or Stanley Avenue. Ms. Trubeck
reported that many people from Repton Place use the pathway from Pleasant Street to Stanley Avenue.
Once pedestrians arrive at Waltham Street (which is busy during rush hours), there is no crosswalk in the
area to continue towards Main Street. Ms. Trubek believed that a crosswalk would help drivers be more
aware of pedestrians in the area.
Sgt. Sampson reported that traffic on Waltham Street is monitored frequently during peak hours, and there
is no crosswalk in the area referenced by Ms. Trubeck.
Mr. Mee reported that mid -block crosswalks are discouraged because motorists do not expect a crosswalk
in those areas. Placement of a crosswalk at that particular area may also pose line of sight issues. Mr.
Mee was willing to consider a crosswalk on Waltham Street if a safe location could be determined.
Mr. Magoon echoed Mr. Mee's thoughts and felt that a crosswalk in the area would make sense if a safe
location could be found.
Chief Lawn agreed that the area has changed and a crosswalk could be beneficial.
Mr. Magoon made a motion to approve a crosswalk on Waltham Street in the vicinity of Stanley Avenue
subject to the Department of Public Works' engineering analysis and evaluation of a safe location; Chief
Quinn seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously.
Item 4 — The Commission reviewed a request by Ms. Sarah Rauhut of Bancroft Street for the installation
of a crosswalk on Waverley Avenue in the area of either Palfrey Street or Downey Street. Ms. Rauhut
reported that her child attends kindergarten at the Lowell School and she observes many students walking
on Waverley Avenue. Ms. Rauhut is not comfortable with the intersection of Waverley Avenue at
Orchard Street and tries to avoid that area. She noted that there is a day care facility in the area as well; if
her original request location was not appropriate Ms. Rauhut suggested a crosswalk at Worcester Street.
Mr. Mee was concerned about a crosswalk in this area. When Waverley Avenue was reconstructed,
factors taken into consideration were the paths of travel for students to the Middle and Lowell Schools,
and the locations of crossing guards. At that time, the safest path of travel was through the intersection of
Waverley Avenue at Orchard Street. Mr. Mee was concerned that a crosswalk in the requested area may
give a false sense of safety particularly to the students.
Chief Lawn agreed with Mr. Mee and was also hesitant to install a crosswalk in this area.
Chief Quinn agreed that students and families should walk to the crossing guards.
Mr. Magoon noted that during reconstruction, raised crosswalks were installed to increase safety.
Although there is some distance between crosswalks in this area, he felt that installing a crosswalk in the
requested area would create some confusion for drivers.
No action was taken on this request.
Item 5 — The Commission reviewed a request by Vahe Nigoghosian, Trustee Chair of the Armenian
Memorial Church 32 Bigleow Avenue to remove two public metered parking spaces on Bigelow Avenue
in order to install a private driveway for the Church. Mr. Nigoghosian reported that a driveway for the
church would provide all -day parking for the minister and the administrative assistant, and also provide
easier HP access to the church's elevator.
Mr. Magoon reported that parking is a premium in this area, but this needs to be balanced with the needs
of property owners.
Chief Lawn noted that there seems to be plenty of parking available during the week. This request may
likely help the Church's parishioners most due to better access to the elevator.
Mr. Airasian was in favor of the request.
Mr. Mee was not opposed to the request and noted that, if approved, the work would require a driveway
permit.
Mr. Airasian made a motion to remove two public metered parking spaces on Bigelow Avenue in order to
install a private driveway for the Armenian Memorial Church 32 Bigleow Avenue; Mr. Magoon seconded
the motion. The motion passed unanimously.
Item 6 — The Commission reviewed a request by Sgt. Sampson of the Watertown Police Department to
remove the Handicap Parking Only sign in front of 25 Chester Street. Sgt. Sampson reported that the
applicant who applied and received a handicap only parking space in front of 25 Chester Street no longer
lives at that address. Sgt. Sampson requested removal of the sign, and removal of this restriction from the
Traffic Rules and Orders.
Mr. Magoon made a motion to remove the handicap only parking space in front of 25 Chester Street;
Chief Quinn seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously.
New Business
a. District B Councilor Lisa Feltner reported that in reference to the driveway request on Bigelow
Avenue, she had received questions regarding the removal of green space, and the removal of
green space in general.
b. Councilor Feltner also reported that the road markings at the intersection of Watertown Street at
California Street were worn away. Mr. Mee reminded Councilor Feltner that this concern was not
a matter for the Traffic Commission. Mr. Mee asked the Councilor to refer these types of issues to
the Department of Public Works.
c. Mr. Mee reported that because of the Eversource oil leak in July, 2018, Eversource will repave
Main Street from Waverley Avenue to Whites Avenue. After the new pavement is installed, the
roadway will be striped and include two new bike lanes.
Mr. Magoon made a motion to adjourn; Mr. Airasian seconded the motion. The motion passed
unanimously.
Meeting adjourned.
Respectfully submitted,
Sgt. David Sampson
Assistant to the Traffic Commission