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Traffic Safety Advisory Committee Minutes 04/19/07



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         MEMORANDUM


TO:     Richard J. White, Town Manager  
                
FROM: Traffic Safety Advisory Committee
                
DATE: May 1, 2007

SUBJECT: TSAC Minutes from April 19, 2007

Meeting called to order at 8:10AM.

Chief Goldstein explained the advisory role of the committee and the normal practices of the committee to the public in attendance. An attendance sheet was circulated.

Members Present:
·       Police Chief David Goldstein, Chair
·       Michele Karas, Municipal Hearing Officer
·       David Hickey, DPW Director
·       Ed Cox, Resident Representative
·       Michael Diluiso, Resident Representative
·       Fire Chief Larry Powers (Joined the meeting at 8:30)

       
The Traffic Safety Advisory Committee met on April 19, 2007 at 8AM to discuss the following issues brought before us:

Resident request – discuss the possibility of relocating the Speed Limit Sign from the middle to the beginning of Sturgis Street and the possibility of installing a “Slow/Disabled Children” sign.
No residents were in attendance to speak on or against the request. The committee discussed the request and felt that while there is some reservations about excessive sign use it was an appropriate location for a speed sign. Because there is a “Caution Children” sign at the mid point of the street, the committee felt no additional sign of that nature was needed.

Recommendation:
The TSCA voted unanimously, 6-0, to have the DPW install a Speed Limit 30 on Sturgis Street, near the Shirley Street intersection.

Request from the Chamber of Commerce (WCC) – discuss the possibility of expanding the current municipal parking lot on Crest Avenue for additional parking spaces for businesses located on Crest Avenue.
Eric Gaynor, executive director of the WCC testified that the Crest Ave business area is thriving and that the parking lot is not appropriate to serve the needs. He expressed concern that winter parking in the area is an additional concern and that with the expected sale of the Dalryple School matters are likely to get much worse. He believes that is would not be very extensive to add a row or two of parking to the existing lot without much disruption or extensive costs.
Paul Leonard, an landlord and resident in the area testified that his tenants have significant difficulty finding parking and that winter parking is without the Dalryple School will be impossible. He also expressed concern with the crosswalks, which could be raised or highlighted to protect pedestrians.
George Quilty a local businessman testified that drivers operate to fast and his customers occasionally have trouble crossing the street.
John Flaherty a local resident testified that to provide parking for their employees and felt that there were opportunities at the rear of the building and possibly off-site which should be investigated before open space is sacrificed.

Recommendation:
The TSAC discussed the request and felt that while there is an observed need for more parking the proposal comes at a cost of public open space. The TSAC believes that a more detailed plan including public input is needed before this can be considered and that because there are public space issues the request is beyond the scope of the committee. Therefore the TSCA unanimously voted 6-0 to refer this request to the Town Manger and, if appropriate the Town Council for further consideration.

Resident request – discuss the possibility of installing a 15 minute Parking Sign outside the business at 157 Veterans Road.
Attorney Robert Boncore testified on behalf of his client and the requestee that there is no parking at the business and that that the purveyor has been issued tickets even when he is temporarily parked.

Recommendation:
The TSCA is uncomfortable with parking, even a single 15-minute space, on the East side of Veterans Road. By a unanimous vote 6-0 vote the request was denied.

The meeting was adjourned at 9:35AM.