Loading...
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