Minutes
Public Ways Safety Committee
Bolton, Massachusetts
July 22, 2009
Members present: Mary Ciummo (Chair), Leslie Breeze, Deborah Kellett, Tom Kittler, Peter Ross
Apologies received: Barbara Bing, Rob Hagopian
The meeting convened at 7pm in Bolton Town Hall
Minutes from the July 8th meeting were approved and accepted.
OLD BUSINESS:
Review and discuss meeting with DPW Director Brown: All agreed that the meeting was productive and Harold was supportive and receptive. We were concerned that the definition of passing zones had become unclear during the transition from Worcester County to Mass Highway administration. (see below). His, and our concern about the 117/110 intersection was discussed tonight and the committee wondered if the pavement lane markings were clear. [Later inspection showed them to be very worn and will benefit from scheduled repainting]
Stop to yield: Deb will reissue the list in the May 27th minutes so that it can become more definitive. Discussion was deferred until Barbara and Rob are present. Then it will be rechecked with the Police before submission to the Board of Selectmen.
Passing Zones: Discussion was deferred until Barbara and Rob are present. It was decided that three steps should be followed:
- Find out what plans are held by Mass Highway which describe passing zones.
- Bring signs into compliance with those plans or
- Amend the plans when the zone needs modifying for today’s safety reasons and then change signs.
Fence Bylaw:
- Peter handed out the series of steps needed to change the Town bylaws
- Peter presented more research of bylaws in other Massachusetts towns. That of Amesbury was very extensive and overkill for our goals but does have some useful language. Peter will send links to town web sites which have zoning bylaws on line to the committee.
- The focus of a bylaw would be on traffic safety at intersections and road topology (curves) where visibility is impaired
- Fences are usually considered to be man made but we should consider extending the definition to include vegetative growth to give some jurisdiction over privately owned brush which today is addressed on a casual basis by discussion between the Highway Department and property owner.
- The concept of a vertical visibility window should be carefully considered
- How to apply a Bylaw retroactively should be carefully considered.
- Tom stated that a permit process will be required to enable enforcement.
Meeting with Don Lowe: Scheduled for the regular meeting on September 9th
NEW BUSINESS
Brush cutting at Sugar Road x Golden Run: For discussion at the next meeting, Mary will draft a letter to the Bolton Conservation Trust, the owners of the Garrison property, to obtain ongoing permission for the Highway Department to regularly cut the brush as required.
Meadow View: It should be a standing action item for this committee to discuss this project relative to any safety issues arising during the Planning Board meetings. It was noted how changes had been made as a result of earlier PB meetings showing that the developers were listening and were flexible at this early stage.
REVIEW OF ACTION ITEMS
- Deb will reissue Stop/yield list
- Peter will publish links to town web sites who have zoning bylaws online
- Peter will draft fence bylaw language
- Mary will draft letter to Conservation Trust
The meeting was adjourned at 8:30pm
Next meeting: 7:00pm Wednesday August 12th in Bolton Town Hall
Minutes submitted by Peter Ross
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