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BOARD OF SELECTMEN’S MEETING
AUGUST 11, 2009
The meeting was opened at 6:30 p.m. at the Newbury Library with the pledge of allegiance to our flag. Selectmen Bulgaris, Keller, Russo and Chairman Story were present. Also in attendance was Chief Michael Reilly.
On the recommendation of Chief Reilly the following persons were re-appointed to the Police Department: Michael Reilly, Chief; Andrew Avelis, Deputy Chief; John Lucey, Lieutenant; Jay Routhier, Patricia Fisher and Lawrence Kent, Sergeants; Gregg Frappier, Stephen Jenkins, Stephen May, Mark Smigielski, Joseph Anderson, Michael Croteau, full time Patrolmen; Jeanne McClung and Keegan Stokes, full time Dispatchers; Stephen Smith, Michael Balsley, Michael Nary and Meghan Muldowney, Reserve Patrolmen; Sallie Zinck, John Lucey III and James Velonis, Reserve Dispatchers. The appointments were moved by Selectman Keller, seconded by Selectman Bulgaris and voted unanimously.
The Selectmen’s meeting was adjourned on a motion by Selectman Keller, seconded by Selectman Bulgaris and voted and a workshop on the Byfield Center traffic pattern changes was opened.
Chief Michael Reilly gave a power point presentation of the traffic pattern prior and with the temporary changes. He noted that representatives of Police, Fire, Highway, Selectmen and the Town Planner had surveyed the area and presented the current changes to the traffic flow to the Board of Selectmen who voted to test their suggestions on a temporary basis to see what worked and what may need further investigation. He explained the reasoning behind the changes and noted that police enforcement was a big part of making it work. He asked that residents e-mail him with any suggestions or complaints and he would personally address their concerns.
Chairman Story opened the workshop to resident’s comments starting with the Church Street area. Dennis Flynn, 17 Church Street thought their lives had dramatically improved with the changes. He noted he had some concerns about the stop sign at Downfall but it seems to work. Tom Rogers, 15 Church Street stated that traffic had slowed but some people still run the stop signs, one of which is 20’ from his bedroom window. He suggested the one way on Church Street be reversed. The school bus stop at the Yellow School could also present a problem as all traffic is forced on Lunt Street to Central. If traffic was routed one way up the hill to Central maybe a three way stop would work. Selectman Bulgaris
noted that the end of the road needs to be reconfigured like on Lunt Street. Judith Kamber, 17 Church noted that Church Street is an improvement and she would like it to stay one way (either way will work). Chairman Story commented that the stop signs also help residents of Downfall Road. The intersection of Church and Main needs to be marked better to keep traffic in their proper lanes. The telephone pole in the middle of the street makes it natural to keep right but lines marking the lanes are needed. It was also noted that the 25 mph speed limit on Main Street needs to be better enforced. Joanne Purinton, 36 Main Street suggested speed bumps as a way of slowing traffic. She was unhappy with the intersection of Lunt and Main as all traffic is forced that way from the Little League field and Library. She said a professional traffic study is needed not a trial of
what works and what does not. Gary Scobert, 4 Johnson Lane agreed that less stop signs and more speed bumps should be utilized. Mark Sanders suggested considering a raised bed like a rumble strip but a little steeper. Jill West, 9 Church Street said she agreed with Rogers about the bus stop but liked the stop signs. People are still going up the one ways and an island at the end of Church Street would be helpful. She asked about the speed limit on Church Street. Chief Reilly noted the area is considered thickly settled and un-posted so a 30 mph limit is enforceable. West also noted parking on both sides of the street present a problem. Russell West, 9 Church Street commented that the people stop at the Downfall sign but then floor it. More enforcement is needed. Chief Reilly insured he would address it with his
officers and police presence will be extremely visible. Dave Mountain, 9 Larkin Road noted that officers are needed at Downfall and Church. John Robertson, 7 Lenway Road stated that painted islands would be useless after a snow storm and he would like to see an island at Central and Main. Elderly drivers visiting the post office pay no attention to the intersection. He would like to see something more permanent. The telephone pole at Church and Main does not seem to present a problem for plowing so an island should be visible enough also. The area in front of the Yellow School will present a problem when school is in session. John Salter, 8 Lunt Street commended the Highway Department but also thought an island at Main and Central would be needed as well as more definition of the post office parking lot. Chairman Story asked if there were Church
Street resident that wanted to be heard. Renee Fowler, 2 Church Street noted that traffic has slowed but the speed has not. Tom Rogers agreed the speed limit is too high. Large speed limit signs are needed. He asked if it was possible to post yellow 20 mph signs on Church and Lunt Streets. Mark Sandt suggested curbs might help to slow traffic. Chairman Story asked for Lunt Street comments. Susan Ricker, 17 Knobb Hill thanked the committee for their speedy response. She commented that Steve’s garage make the road very narrow at that intersection. Virginia Hallman, 2 Lunt Street noted that customers from the Yoga Center across from her are turning the wrong way. John Salter, 8 Lunt Street noted it is definitely an improvement making Lunt Street one way but something is needed to enforce the 90
degree corner at Lunt and Main. Tom Rogers, said if drivers were doing the speed limit there would not be a problem. Sharon Wright, 4 Knobb Hill suggested a painted sidewalk area. John Ashton, 2 Lunt Street stated he was glad these issues were being addressed. The pathway behind the library to the crosswalk is now more visible. Parking at Steve’s causes a problem and more traffic on Main Street causes problems for the Mini Mart. Wayne McDonald, 4 Central Street noted that the Town Hall area is very busy as well. Chairman Story advised they were looking at improving the parking at the Town Hall with defined lines and use of excess material from pending road work. John Ashton inquired about changing the speed limit on Church Street. Chief Reilly noted in accordance with enforcement by the rules of the road, a $50 citation can be issued for over 30 mph. To change the speed limit a road study is needed and it must be sent to the state for their consideration.
The process takes about 30 days and the limit set is entirely up to the state. Arthur Allen, 103 Central Street noted that sidewalks would narrow the width of the intersection at the post office. Diane Salter, 8 Lunt Street thanked the DPW for their prompt response to her call to paint the crossings at Lunt Street and Central. She commented she had never noticed the 20 mph speed limit sign coming off Rte. 95. David Powell, 148 Orchard Street noted he believed in data, traffic volume, etc. We have a situation where behavioral mind set is in force. He noted the stop sign at the Bible Church on Main Street is too far back from the intersection and needs to be moved. Location of the school bus stops is also important. Re-contouring the intersections, traffic softening and road obstacles are not out of the question. Gale
Meserve, 8 Maple Street said she was impressed that people are working together and surprised to see signs installed so quickly. Robin Lawson, 9 Lenway Road commented that on Tuesday evenings cars are parked on both sides of Church Street. Making it one way was a good idea. Evelyn Noyes, 5 Downfall Road advised that the AA group is very important to the Church and she suggested maybe making people more aware of the new traffic patterns. Chairman Story asked for Main Street comments. Kathy Downey, 54 Main Street noted that Verizon and Bennett trucks are the worst speed limit offenders. Chief Reilly aksed that she e-mail him and he would advise the companies of the infractions. Richard Sprague, 73 Main Street noted that people always run the stop signs but the one ways have improved traffic. Vivian Anastasia, 56 Main Street stated that the changes have
impacted our lives. This is a busy village and cars and trucks speed. Kids wait in the Mini Mart and Post Office parking lots for buses and these areas are very dangerous. Additional cross walks should be looked at for crossings. Warning signs in the Knobb Hill area warning to slow down might also be helpful. Chief Reilly agreed that we need to instill enforcement in the village and strictly enforce the rules. We need to be regarded with fear like Boxford village. Dave Mountain suggested there might be public safety monies available from the state. Fred Davis, 59 Main Street suggested school bus stops be investigated. What is best for the town and the kids is important. If Lunt Street was one way to Central it could eliminate additional traffic on Main Street in the morning. A traffic light at Main and Central
is also a possibility. A happy medium is needed. David Powell, Orchard Street noted that traffic cuts across the post office parking lot and this is not town property. The L-shaped lot behind the post office is owned by the town and perhaps parking could be made available there. The crosswalk from the library to the Mini Mart is used for parking of vehicles from Steve’s and should be stopped. Kevin Hurton, 56 Main Street asked about free standing signs “pedestrian crossing” in the center of the road. Linda Allen, 103 Central Street said as manager of the two town buildings in the center she would suggest using the parking lot at the school as the school bus stop. If plowed, parents could park in the lot and wait until their child is picked up by the bus. Speed boards were suggested as well as a fund raiser to support the purchase of a
board. Web cams were also suggested to control speeders. Chairman Story advised that these traffic changes are temporary through the end of September. They will be reviewed at the first meeting in October and ideas are welcomed. When school starts we will be able to get a better idea of what is needed as far as bus stops and crosswalks. Story thanked everyone for coming and for their input. The workshop was closed at 8:25 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Kathleen Sirois, Admin. Asst.
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