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HomeMy Public PortalAbout05-11-2011 joint committee report ps roTown Council Town of Watertown Joint Meeting of the Committee on Public Works and the Committee on Rules and Ordinances Meeting: April 27, 2011 Report: May 11, 2011 The two committees met Wednesday April 27th at 7:30 pm in the 3rd Floor Conference Room to discuss the proposed changes to the Traffic Commission (see public Works Committee report dated March 8, 2011 ) Present were: Susan Falkoff, PW Chair; Stephen Corbett, PW Vice -chair; Vincent Piccirilli, PW Secretary; Anthony Palomba, RO Chair; John Donohue, RO Secretary; Police Chief Edward Deveau; and DPW Superintendent Gerald Mee. Councilor Falkoff chaired the meeting and referred to Ordinance 0-2001-15 "An Ordinance to modify Chapter XI — Traffic Commission Regulations — of the Town Ordinances". (copy attached) 1. Councilor Falkoff read the proposed new language for Section 6 "Duties and Responsibilities" as follows: "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 Corbett made a motion, seconded by Councilor Piccirilli, to recommend to the full Council that existing Section 6 be deleted and replaced in its entirety with the proposed new language. Councilor Palomba asked why the change was needed and Councilor Falkoff explained that the new language more accurately describes the Traffic Commission's role, particularly with traffic control measures like crosswalks. The motion was approved 5 to 0. 2. Councilor Falkoff read proposed new language to modify Section 2 "Members of Commission" to replace "Superintendent of Wires" with "Director of Community Development and Planning or his or her designee". It was noted that the Wire Inspector already works under the supervision of the DCDP Director. Councilor Corbett made a motion, seconded by Councilor Palomba, to recommend to the full Council that Section 2 be modified as proposed. Councilor Corbett asked if the Traffic Commission was comfortable with making this change. Chief Deveau said that at the Traffic Commission meeting earlier in the day, this was discussed and they all were receptive to the change. In addition, he discussed it with Mr. Magoon who also felt the change was a positive step. The motion was approved 5 to 0. The meeting adjourned at 7:35 PM. Report submitted by: Vincent Piccirilli Page 1 of 1 Down CO(tflCfi TOWN OF WATERTOWN ADMINISTRATION BUILDING • WATERTOWN, MA 02472-4410 (617)972-6470 • FAX (617;972-6485 ORDINANCE # 15 0-2001-15 AN ORDINANCE TO MODIFY CHAP lER XI — TRAFFIC COMMISSION REGULATIONS — OF THE TOWN ORDINANCES WHEREAS, questions have been raised regarding the composition and operation of the Traffic Commission; and WHEREAS, changes were proposed to modify Chapter XI — Traffic Commission Regulations — of the Town Ordinances; NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED, that the Town Council of the City known as the Town of Watertown does hereby amend the Watertown Ordinances by revising Chapter XI to read as follows: CHAPTER XI TRAFFIC COMMISSION REGULATIONS SECTION 1. CREATION A town Traffic Commission is hereby established. SECTION 2. MEMBERS OF COMMISSION The Traffic commission shall be composed of members as follows: Chief of the Police Department Chief of the Fire Department Superintendent of Public Works Town Engineer Superintendent of Wires Two citizens at large both of whom shall be residents of the Town, and one a representative of Town industry. These members are appointed by the Town Manager and approved by the Town Council for staggered terms of two years each. SECTION 3. COMPENSATION The members of the Traffic Commission shall receive no compensation for their service as commissioners, but all expenses incurred shall be paid by the Town out of an appropriation for such services. SECTION 4. CHAIRPERSON The Chief of Police shall act as the Chairperson of the Traffic Commission. SECTION 5. SECRETARY The Traffic Commission shall designate a Secretary. The Secretary shall arrange meetings, supply records, obtain data, prepare reports and attend to such other duties as shall be decided by the Traffic Commission. SECTION 6. DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES The Traffic Commission shall study the traffic situation in the town and shall suggest and advise the Town Manager in ways and means to regulate traffic in the Town and recommend changes and amendments to the Traffic Rules and Orders of the Town with a view towards reducing accidents and relieving traffic congestion. SECTION 7. PROCEDURE All Traffic Rules and Orders, complaints or suggestions relative to traffic conditions in the Town shall first be submitted through the Secretary of the Traffic Commission to that Commission for study and recommendations before being acted on by the Town Manager. SECTION 8. MEETINGS The Traffic Commission shall meet periodically, as needed. When an agenda item for a meeting of the Traffic Commission is brought forward by a resident of Watertown or directly concerns a resident of Watertown, the Traffic Commission shall make every effort to meet after 6:OOPM when it deems appropriate due to the nature of the issue or upon request by the petitioners or citizens. The effective date of this Ordinance sh 1 be July/1-,-20 1. 1 ouncil M, ber I hereby certify that at a regular meeting of the Town Council for which a quorum was present, the above Ordinance was adopted by a vote of 8 for 1 against and 0 Present on M. a 13, 20 Valerie Papa Council Clerk Clyde L. Younger Council President Page 1 of 3 CHAPTER 70: TRAFFIC COMMISSION Section 70.01 Established 70.02 Membership 70.03 Compensation 70.04 Officers 70.05 Duties and responsibilities 70.06 Procedures 70.07 Meetings § 70.01 ESTABLISHED. A town Traffic Commission is hereby established. (1982 Code, Ch. XI, § 1) (Am. Ord. 15, passed 3-13-2001) § 70.02 MEMBERSHIP. The Traffic Commission shall be composed of members as follows: (A) Chief of the Police Department. (B) Chief of the Fire Department. (C) Superintendent of Public Works. (D) Town Engineer. (E) Superintendent of Wires. (F) Two citizens at large both of whom shall be residents of the town, and one a representative of town industry. These members are appointed by the Town Manager and approved by the Town Council for staggered terms of 2 years each. (1982 Code, Ch. XI, § 2) (Am. Ord. 15, passed 3-13-2001) http://www.amlegal.com/alpscripts/get-content.aspx 5/5/2011 Page 2 of 3 § 70.03 COMPENSATION. The members of the Traffic Commission shall receive no compensation for their service as commissioners, but all expenses incurred shall be paid by the town out of an appropriation for those services. (1982 Code, Ch. XI, § 3) (Am. Ord. 15, passed 3-13-2001) § 70.04 OFFICERS. (A) Chairperson. The Chief of Police shall act as the Chairperson of the Traffic Commission. (B) Secretary. The Traffic Commission shall designate a Secretary. The Secretary shall arrange meetings, supply records, obtain data, prepare reports and attend to the other duties as shall be decided by the Traffic Commission. (1982 Code, Ch. XI, §§ 4-5) (Am. Ord. 15, passed 3-13-2001) § 70.05 DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES. The Traffic Commission shall study the traffic situation in the town and shall suggest and advise the Town Manager in ways and means to regulate traffic in the town and recommend changes and amendments to the traffic rules and orders of the town with a view towards reducing accidents and relieving traffic congestion. (1982 Code, Ch. XI, § 6) (Am. Ord. 15, passed 3-13-2001) § 70.06 PROCEDURES. All traffic rules and orders, complaints or suggestions relative to traffic conditions in the town shall first be submitted through the Secretary of the Traffic Commission to that Commission for study and recommendations before being acted on by the Town Manager. (1982 Code, Ch. XI, § 7) (Am. Ord. 15, passed 3-13-2001) § 70.07 MEETINGS. The Traffic Commission shall meet periodically as needed. When an agenda item for a meeting of the Traffic Commission is brought forward by a town resident or directly concerns a town resident, the Traffic Commission shall make every effort to meet after 6:00 p.m. when it deems appropriate due to the nature of the issue or upon request by the petitioners or citizens. (Am. Ord. 15, passed 3-13-2001) http://www.amlegal.com/alpscripts/get-content.aspx 5/5/2011 Page 3 of 3 Disclaimer: This Code of Ordinances and/or any other documents that appear on this site may not reflect the most current legislation adopted by the Municipality. American Legal Publishing Corporation provides these documents for informational purposes only. These documents should not be relied upon as the definitive authority for local legislation. 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