TRANSPORTATION/CIRCULATION COMMITTEE
RECORD OF MEETING
November 15, 2007
PRESENT: D. Lawton, T. Manning, R. Ferguson, J. Zingarelli, Senior Civil Engineer, Pam Harding, Town Planner, Robert michaud, MDM Transportation, Ray Remillard, The Richmond Company, Robert Longden, Bowditch and Dewey
REFERENCE: T/C meeting record dated November 8, 2007
This was a special meeting dedicated to further review of the Walgreens project-SPR0407.
The 4 page treatise entitled "Walgreens Talking Points", referred to in the November 8 meeting record, was discussed point by point. One point discussing the need for a sidewalk on Holt Road, previously not included in the plan, has now been included per Pam Harding. Otherwise no action was taken by T/C.
T/C had many questions concerning the Traffic Impact and Access REport which were answered by Bob Michaud. Some reasonable doubts remain in the minds of T/C members.
T/C agrees that the off-site road changes (Holt and Boyden Roads, et al) proposed will help alleviate traffic concerns to some degree. Pam assured T/C that sufficient controls are in place to ensure that these off-site improvements will occur simultaneously with the project itself and that the project will not proceed until these are approved by Mass. Highway. T/C feels these controls are essential.
T/C is seriously concerned with traffic congestion, particularly that occurring during the evening peak hour west bound. Particular T/C concerns relate to left hand turns, both those where motorists are attempting to turn onto Main Street west bound from Holt Road or Walgreens main exit and also where motorists are attempting to turn from Main Street west bound across east bound traffic into either Holt Road or one of the Walgreen entrances. In a question directed to Pam, she reported that the Holden Police Department had not expressed any such concerns.
T/C feels that there is a corporate need for Walgreens to be sensitive to the traffic congestion problems of the town in this immediate area. In response to a question addressed to Ray Remillard, he said he would ask Walgreen authorities whether they would consider paying for police details, if such were deemed helpful. Presumably he will respond to the Planning Board.
Finally, in response to requested guidance from the Planning Board, Bob Ferguson made the following motion which was passed unanimously:
T/C recommends that the Walgreens proposal be approved but with the following points of concern:
1. All the proposed off-site improvements, including the Holt Road sidewalk, are helpful and need to be implemented.
2. There are serious concerns with left hand turns from Holt Road and Walgreens exit onto Main Street.
3. There are also serious concerns with left hand turns from Main Street into Walgreens and Holt Road.
4. Walgreens quantifies the operation of the entrances and exits to the site and submit reports to Planning Board and T/C.
5. Walgreens must be flexible as to solving future traffic congestion; i.e., triggering police details, traffic studies, etc.
Meeting adjourned at 5:25pm.
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