HomeMy Public PortalAbout03-08-2011 pwTown Council
Town of Watertown
Committee on Public Works, Meeting February 22, 2011
Report: March 8, 2011
The Committee met February 22nd at 4 pm in the Lower Hearing Room. Present were: Susan Falkoff,
Chair; Steve Corbett, Vice -chair; Vincent Piccirilli, Secretary; DPW Superintendent Gerald Mee; DPW
Clerk Mary Haley; James Fitzpatrick from WorldTech Engineering; Steven Magoon, Director of
Community Development & Planning; Police Chief Edward Deveau; Bicycle -Pedestrian Committee
Chair Steve Engler; Councilor Cecilia Lenk and several concerned citizens.
1. Summer St Parking
Mr. Mee provided an overview of how Summer St was reconstructed, with the MassHighway project
extending from Mt. Auburn St west to Dana Terrace, and the local road construction project extending
from Dana Terrace west to Church St. Watertown is bound by the MassHighway design requirements
and a traffic control agreement for the easterly portion of the project. While the westerly portion is not
under the MassHighway traffic control agreement and design review, Watertown does follow the state
design guidelines.
Mr. Mee described the parking that existed on Summer St before the construction, and what now exists
after construction. It was noted that what is listed in the Traffic Rules and Orders for parking
regulations does not match what existed before construction, and does not match the signs that are in
place today. The parking that existed previously was often on the paved -over grass strips.
Nick Timperio and Mark Harris spoke about the hardship that the loss of parking has caused local
businesses and the First Parish Church. Councilor Piccirilli received a letter from the Russell
Cooperative Preschool about the difficulties the removed parking has caused parents at pickup times.
Councilor Corbett asked if we could restore parking on one side of the street between Spring St and
Church St. Councilor Piccirilli noted that the roadway, with a 32 ft curb -to -curb width, would allow two
travel lanes and parking on one side, in accordance with MassHighway design standards. Mr.
Fitzgerald, the traffic engineer, described issues with sightlines, roadway alignment, and the turning
radius at the Church St intersection that limit the location of parking.
After additional discussion, the Committee voted unanimously to request that Mr. Mee have the traffic
engineer develop conceptual designs to restore as much parking as possible on Summer St between
Spring St and Church St, and present it to the Committee within three months. Mr. Mee stated that the
design will have to extend to the other side of the Church St intersection to solve problems with
alignment, and the Committee agreed with this approach.
2. Traffic Commission
As a follow up to our previous meeting, Councilor Falkoff presented revised language to amend section
6 of ordinance 0-2001-15, for referral to the Rules and Ordinances Committee, as follows:
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Committee on Public Works Report — March 8, 2011
SECTION 6. DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
The Traffic commission shall suggest and advise the Town Manager in ways and means to regulate
traffic in the Town with a view towards reducing accidents, relieving traffic congestion and increasing
safety for cars and alternative modes of transportation. The commission shall study and make
recommendations on road design projects and any proposed addition or deletion of crosswalks, stop
signs, traffic signals, signage, parking meters, or parking spaces; and on any proposed traffic calming
measures or traffic directional changes.
Councilor Falkoff said that she felt that coordination with the planning staff is needed when traffic
changes are considered, and requested that section 2, Members of the Commission, be amended to
include the Director of Community Development and Planning or his or her designee.
Mr. Magoon was agreeable to this change. Councilor Piccirilli pointed out that the Wire Inspector, a
member of the Traffic Commission, works under the supervision of Mr. Magoon in the Department of
Community Development and Planning, and perhaps we could consider redefining this position to be
the DCDP Director or designee so that the number of members on the Commission does not change.
The Committee voted unanimously to refer these suggested changes to Ordinance 0-2001-15 Sections
2 and 6 to the Rules and Ordinances Committee for action.
3. New Business
Mr. Mee stated that he is planning to perform some sewer and drain work on Waverley Ave this
summer from Main St to about Quirk St. This will include relining about 1800 ft of sewer line. In
addition, before repaving, he wants to implement the school safety zone geometric changes in front of
the Middle School. Therefore, the final repaving of the southerly portion of Waverley Ave which was
dug up for the water main and the gas main, may not occur until summer of 2012.
***
The next meeting to discuss the Mount Auburn Street study will be on March 7 at 7:30 PM in the
Watertown Savings Bank Room at the Library.
The meeting adjourned at 5:15 pm.
Report prepared by: Vincent Piccirilli
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