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Home My Public Portal AboutSeptember 2020 MinutesTOWN 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 October 1, 2020 September 30, 2020 Traffic Commission Meeting Minutes In attendance: Michael Lawn, Robert Quinn, Steven Magoon, John S. Airasian, Kelly Gallagher At the September 30, 2020 Traffic Commission meeting, which was held via Zoom Meeting, members addressed following items: Item 1— Ms. Gallagher made a motion to approve the minutes of the June, 2020 Traffic Commission meeting; Chief Quinn seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously. Item 2 — The Commission reviewed a request by Laura Wiener, Senior Transportation Planner to restrict two parking spaces at 65 North Beacon Street to accommodate a BlueBikes public bike share program docking station. Ms. Wiener explained that the Department of Community Development and Planning launched a program with BlueBikes in late July, 2020. Unlike other bike sharing programs, BlueBikes requires docking stations and connects with other BlueBike member communities. Once all work is complete, there will be seven docking stations throughout the Town. Ms. Wiener asked the Traffic Commission to approve placing a docking station on the public way at 65 North Beacon Street; this requires the use of two parking spaces. At this time, the plan is to remove the docking station from the public way during the winter months and, if the location is suitable, replace the station in the spring. Mr. Magoon made a motion to restrict two parking spaces at 65 North Beacon Street in order to accommodate a BlueBikes public bike share program docking station; Mr. Airasian seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously. Item 3 — The Commission reviewed a request by Laura Wiener, Senior Transportation Planner to: 1 Modify Town parking meter rates from $.50/hour to $1.00/hour except: a. Wells Avenue Municipal Parking Lot b. Nichols Avenue on -street parking 2. Remove parking time limits at all meters 3. Modify meter hours of operation from 7:00 am to 6:00 pm to 8:00 am to 8:00 pm. Ms. Wiener reported that the Town Council directed the Department of Community Development and Planning (DCDP) to conduct a parking management plan for the Town's two business districts, Watertown and Coolidge Squares. The Council approved the plan in September 2019. One key finding of the plan was that the current parking meters are out of date (no alternative payment options, etc.). In addition, the Town's current meter rates are significantly lower than rates in other communities. The parking management consultant (Stantec) recommended changing the rate to $1.00 per hour in high demand areas; this shifts the Town's philosophy from using time limits to promote turnover, to using meter rates. The consultant also recommended expanding the hours of meter operations into the dinner hours. DCDP has purchased the new meters, and plans to install them in November 2020. Sgt. Sampson asked whether citizens would still be able to use quarters, dimes, and nickels to purchase lesser amounts of time at meters. Ms. Wiener reported that the plan would be for citizens to pay $.25 per 15 -minute periods, but there are no provisions to use dimes or nickels to purchase lesser amounts of time. Sgt. Sampson was concerned that, by removing time limits, the Watertown Square lot could become a "commuter lot", leaving little availability for short-term parking. He noted that the current meter configuration allows for long-term parking in the longer aisles and restricts parking to 2 hours in the shorter aisles. Sgt. Sampson suggested that the Commission consider keeping the current configuration. Sgt. Sampson noted that the change in meter hours of operation would require review of the Town's parking enforcement officer hours to cover the new times. Finally, the impact of the new policies on the current Senior and Business parking permit programs should be considered. Chief Lawn also asked whether the risk of people parking at meters all day is an issue. Mr. Magoon asked and was informed that meter technology allowed the Town to change the hours of operation, rates, etc. to address future issues. Chief Lawn reported that the Commission should revisit the meter operations in September, 2021 to determine whether the rates and hours are appropriate. Ms. Gallagher asked and was informed that the Town intends to use similar technology as other communities to remotely pay meters. Ms. Wiener reported that the Town is looking at services such as Passport and Pay by Phone. Mr. Magoon made a motion to 1 Modify Town parking meter rates from $.50/hour to $1.00/hour except in the Wells Avenue Municipal Parking Lot and Nichols Avenue on -street parking 2. Remove parking time limits at all meters 3. Modify meter hours of operation to 8:00 am to 8:00 pm 4. Review these modifications in one year Ms. Gallagher seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously. Item 4 — The Commission reviewed a request by Matthew Shuman, Town Engineer to include isolated stop signs on Grant Avenue for eastbound and westbound traffic at Piermont Street, and Katherine Road for eastbound traffic at Common Street in the Traffic Rules and Orders. Sgt. Sampson explained that during the Town road improvement program, Mr. Shuman noticed that the existing isolated stop signs on Grant Avenue for eastbound and westbound traffic at Piermont Street, and on Katherine Road for eastbound traffic at Common Street were not listed in Schedule IV of the Traffic Rules and Orders. Sgt. Sampson asked to add these locations to Schedule IV of the Traffic Rules and Orders. Mr. Magoon made a motion to include isolated stop signs on Grant Avenue for eastbound and westbound traffic at Piermont Street, and Katherine Road for eastbound traffic at Common Street in the Traffic Rules and Orders; Chief Quinn seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously. Item 5 — The Commission reviewed a request by Sgt. Sampson of the Watertown Police Department to restrict parking on Carroll Street from #9 Carroll Street to Carlton Terrace. Sgt. Sampson reported that he received a concern from Mr. Richard LaForce of 10 Carroll Street about the parking situation near the intersection of 9 Carroll Street and Carlton Terrace. Mr. LaForce reported that during normal school operations at the Lowell School, many cars on Carroll Street park too closely to the intersection of Carlton Terrace. Sgt. Sampson assessed the area of 9 Carroll Street with Mr. Aiello from the Department of Public Works. It was determined that if a vehicle on Carroll Street parked the required 20 feet from the intersection of Carlton Terrace, there is inadequate room in front of 9 Carroll Street for a legal parking space. Sgt. Sampson requested to restrict parking in front of 9 Carroll Street. Mr. Magoon had no strong feelings either way about the request. Chief Lawn considered the request due to the intersection's proximity to the Lowell School and traffic congestion during the school year. Chief Quinn felt that this was a unique situation, and probably warranted a sign clarifying the restriction. Mr. Magoon made a motion to restrict parking on Carroll Street from #9 Carroll Street to Carlton Terrace; Chief Quinn seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously. New Business No new business was brought before the Traffic Commission. Mr. Airasian made a motion to adjourn; Mr. Magoon seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously. Meeting adjourned. Respectfully submitted, Sgt. David Sampson Assistant to the Traffic Commission