Minutes
Public Ways Safety Committee
Bolton, Massachusetts
April 14th 2010
Members present: Mary Ciummo (Chair), Leslie Breeze, Deborah Kellett, Tom Kittler, Peter Ross.
Not present:Barbara Bing, Rob Hagopian,
Minutes from the March 10th meeting were approved and accepted.
ADMINISTRATION:
- Linda Day should be asked to update the list of members on the Town web site.
- Don Lowe has confirmed his availability to attend our meeting on May 26th 2010
- It was suggested that we schedule our annual meetings with DPW and the Police Department on June 23rd and July 28th respectively.
Tom Kittler’s term expires in June 2010 for which he needs to re-apply but the position does not need to be posted.
Barbara Bing’s position will need posting as she has decided not to serve a further term.
EXISTING BUSINESS:
Fence Bylaw:
- It was decided that a more descriptive and less controversial name would be “Line of Sight Bylaw”
- As a result of the discussion about the fence at Nourse Road and Main Street it was decided to remove the problematic clause from the proposed bylaw that dealt with existing obstructions because the Nourse Road fence is the only case. The remaining wording would be retained for discussion and resolution with Don Lowe on May 26th.
Nourse Road fence:
- This issue will now be dealt with separately from the Line of Sight Bylaw.
- Peter reported having had a long phone conversation with Harold Brown in which Harold reported that the Town land extended 20 feet from the edge of the pavement at Main Street on the east side of Nourse Road and therefore the fence in front of 855 Main Street is, in Harold’s opinion, built on Town property. Harold suggested going back to the Board of Selectmen to determine how to get the fence removed.
- Deb had found a description of the 855 Main Street property bounds in the foreclosure announcement. It will need a surveyor to determine how to relate it to actual boundaries. The property is now owned by Clinton Savings Bank.
- How to proceed will be an action item for the meeting with Don Lowe.
Yield to Stop:
- A very detailed report has been written by Rob, but it was felt that a summary table should be produced for higher level discussions at meetings with Police and DPW.
No Passing Zone signs:
- A response letter from Mass Highway has been received. It said there were no records or definitions for passing zones on Rte 117 through Bolton. It essentially said the Town could do what is best for safety.
- Tom expressed concern about the danger of some existing passing zones and suggested we do a thorough study or document what has previously been discussed for further discussion with DPW and Police.
Open issues from previous meetings:
- There has been no resolution of the following:
- Matching road markings and signs at Chase St (and Sargent?)
- Some No Parking signs are not listed on Traffic Rules and Orders
- Change road markings under 495 overpass west bound to allow two lanes of traffic to form.
- Road marking at the intersections on Berlin Road at South Bolton and Frye Roads.
- These will all be discussed at the DPW and Police meetings
- The improvement in Stop Sign placement at Harvard and Main had been completed.
- We should resurrect the project to document inadequate or legally non-compliant signage and road marking at several irregular, mostly triangle, intersections.
NEW BUSINESS
MAPC presentation: (Metropolitan Area Planning Council)
- Mary and Leslie reported on having attended a presentation on building a multi-mode, pedestrian, bicycle and dedicated electric bus path on the Central Mass Railway right of way between I-495 and Waltham. The term used is “BRT – Bus Rapid Transit”
- A presentation to Bolton was given because the right of way goes through a small section of land on Lively Road at the Hudson/Berlin/Bolton town line. It would have a significant positive impact to Bolton residents but also an increase in traffic towards the trail head and necessary parking.
Redesign of Main Street from I-495 to Lancaster Line.
- There is an Article on Town Meeting agenda to seek funding, contingent upon a State (STRAP) grant.
Peter reported how the long conversation with Harold Brown mostly concerned this project and how Harold will be looking for input and support from PWSC.
The committee was pleased to potentially be involved if the project goes ahead.
- Sidewalks, Walkways and Bicycle Paths are likely to be considered in the redesign. It was noted aside that Stow has a new Pedestrian Walkways Committee with some funding from the Town.
The meeting was adjourned at 8:30 pm
The next meeting is scheduled for 7:00 pm on Wednesday, April 28th 2010
Minutes submitted by Peter Ross
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