The Internal Traffic Committee met in the Selectman’s Hearing Room, Town Hall at 78 Main Street, Hudson, Massachusetts. At 10:00 the Committee called the meeting to order.
Present: Chief John Blood, Chief Richard Braga, Tony Marques, Jeff Wood and Jennifer Burke
256 Washington Street
Present was: Paul Giannetti, Atty. at Law
Josh Reinke, Bohler Engineering
Bob Michaud, MDM
John Stewart, The Richmond Company
Mr. Reinke reviewed the changes to the plan with the Committee. The gas station has been removed and the two entrances have been modified. He has also made some modifications to the utilities. Mr. Michaud reviewed the traffic counts again. He showed the right in right out entrance on Washington Street. He noted that the entrance has been made as restrictive as possible and it is subject to review by MassHighway. He showed the Technology Drive entrance. There are two full lanes passed the entrance to this project.
Chief Braga stated that he likes the Technology Drive entrance, but a straight arrow should be included on the plan for people who want to go from Walgreens to the Center at Hudson. He expressed concern that the entrance on Washington Street is not restrictive enough. He would like to see the wings expanded. Mr. Michaud argued that expanding the wings would reduce the lane width to less than 16 feet. Mr. Marques stated that the island should be designed with the wings first and get the lane width. Mr. Michaud said that a 60-80 foot radius would be required. Mr. Marques argued that the discussion should be had with MassHighway. Chief Braga reiterated that he wants the island radii to be as extreme as possible.
Chief Braga noted that the proponent is now considering the projects individually and because of that the Chief believes they should be viewed as two separate parcels. Should a project similar to what was previously proposed be submitted for review, he would be resistant to a full service entrance on Washington Street as the Committee already rejected this. Chief Braga noted that if the other Washington Street parcel comes back with a gas station or other high traffic use he would recommend a barrier between the properties so that there is no cross traffic. Mr. Stewart commented that without a full access drive on Washington Street he has no tenant for the other parcel. The Chief expressed that public safety is his primary concern not the developer’s inability to lease the space. The
Chief stated that he would not support a 2-way driveway on the second Washington Street lot unless the design was dramatically different than what was previously presented.
Mr. Marques noted that at the previous meeting a hydrant was suggested. The location of a hydrant is still a suggestion. He likes the Technology Drive entrance design but noted when the third parcel is proposed the applicant may need to look at widening the opposite side of Technology Drive. He also noted that when the ANR is done a driveway access easement would be required.
Mr. Wood asked that the “permit drawings” note be removed from the plans
The Committee also asked that the engineer identify where the state highway layout ends on Washington Street.
The developer will make changes to the plan and return to the Committee on August 25, 2006 at 10:00 am.
| 
