Town of Belmont, MA
Traffic Advisory Committee
Minutes of Meeting April 8, 2010
Members present: Linda Nickens, Andrea Masciari , Laurence Macdonald , Tommasina Olson, Ron Sacca, and Dana Miller.
Ex-Officio members present: Glenn Clancy, PE; Sgt. Kevin Shea, BPD.
Absent: Peter Curro
The meeting was called to order at 7:07PM by Linda Nickens, Chair.
Minutes: Andrea Masciari, moved and Tommasina Olson, seconded and the March 11, 2010 Minutes were unanimously approved.
Upland Road/Slade Street intersection - Update:
Sgt. Shea distributed copies of the Data Collection report for this intersection. There have been 9 crashes at this intersection over the last 10 years. 2 persons reporting injuries, 1 accident involving a bicyclist, and I motorist issued a citation in the 1/22/10 crash for failure to slow at intersection. The “Speed Spy” was installed on a telephone pole on Slade Street. Data was collected on 4 separate occasions. 3 studies were made on Slade Street traffic and 1 on Horace Road traffic. A copy of the Data Collection Report will be included as a part of the minutes. The posted speed is 30 MPH. The first 3 studies showed the average speed was 23 MPH. The 4th study showed an average speed of 19 MPH.
The studies showed that:
Study 1: 145 vehicles out of 1605 over the speed limit. Highest speed 50 MPH
Study 2: 145 vehicles out of 1709 over the speed limit. Highest speed 47 MPH
Study 3: 104 vehicles out of 1248 over the speed limit. Highest speed 49 MPH
Study 4: 12 vehicles out of 844 over the speed limit. Highest speed 41 MPH
Glenn Clancy distributed a photo of the intersection. Traffic flow here does not meet the warrants for a 4-Way Stop sign. Ron Sacca stated that 4 Way Stop Signs are not be used to control speed. Andrea Masciari stated that she had seen someone go through the intersection without stopping for the stop sign. Tommasina Olson suggested that traffic be stopped at Upland Rd and Slade Street. Glenn Clancy said that stop signs are in place on both Horace Road and Upland Road. Glenn Clancy reported that another issue are the hedges on property by the intersection. He will ask residents to trim hedges and remind them of the zoning by-law that pertains to this issue. Also, he said that Slade Street carries twice as much traffic as does Upland Road and Horace Road. Larry Macdonald suggested squaring off the
intersection. Glenn Clancy proposed that he write a personal letter to residents urging them to comply with the zoning by-law concerning the trimming and height of hedges at intersections. Sgt. Shea stated that the traffic data collected become a part of the record. Linda Nickens suggested that signage be painted on the roadway approaching the intersection.
Tommasina Olson moved:
MOVED: That Glenn Clancy write residents to keep shrubs trimmed and look into larger Stop Signs and that the Belmont Police Department place this intersection for pop-up enforcement.
Andrea Masciari seconded:
It was voted and unanimously PASSED.
Oliver Road Update – Request from Cyclist for signage allowing bicyclists to make a right turn: Glenn Clancy will have sign amended. TAC approves.
NEW BUSINESS:
Sherman Street:
Chris Donahue, a Winn Brook resident, spoke about Traffic and Pedestrian Safety concerns on Sherman Street by the Winn Brook School. A letter and diagram were presented to TAC. He and other concerned parents would like to see Sherman Street made one-way between Waterhouse Road and Dean Street between the hours of 8:30AM – 9:30AM and 2:30PM -3:30PM. Glenn Clancy asked about the times of 1 way operation. Linda Nickens asked about the drop off/pick up on Sherman Street. Sgt. Shea replied that the parents park and walk their children to school. In the afternoon, the reverse happens. The increase in traffic and the Intergrated Pre-School Program since 2003 have made the situation worse. Many of these students have special needs and require assistance. An earlier attempt to relieve the problem failed.
Neighbors opposed the earlier 1 Way Plan and it was not implemented. Chris Donahue reported the busiest time as 8:40AM – 9:10AM. Sgt. Shea stated the area needs attention. There are many parking complaints and the BPD has stepped up enforcement of parking regulations. Sherman Street is not designed for current load and use. Linda Nickens thought that implementation of 1 Way on Sherman Street at certain hours might be confusing for residents. Tommasina Olson said that the Special Needs Pre-School would be moving to the new Wellington School when it is completed. Chris Donahue stated that people would adapt when asked about residents leaving for work. Tommasina Olson suggested 1 side parking only. Linda Nickens asked about a 15 minute parking limit. Chris Donahue said that parking enforcement could be an issue and that a one way traffic flow would be better. Sgt. Shea said that the width of the roadway is a problem. Linda Nickens said that residents did not want restrictions in
the past. Tommasina Olson did say that TAC had tried to get the Winn Brook School principal to change drop-off procedures in the past. Glenn Clancy said that the School Department does not have to buy into it. Ron Sacca feels that a 1 hour restriction is enough. Glenn Clancy suggested a Public Hearing be scheduled for next month.
Stults Road – Request for Stop Sign at Elm Street:
Judy and Rich Melanson sent a request for a Stop Sign at Stults Road and Elm Street. Larry Macdonald read the letter. They are concerned about new young drivers in the neighborhood and cited a recent incident where someone skidded Elm Street into a neighbor’s yard.
Larry Macdonald said that he is not in favor of this proposal to put a Stop Sign at this intersection. This could set a bad precedent. Ron Sacca agreed. A brief discussion about Stop Signs in the neighborhood was had. Linda Nickens pointed out that this is a “T’” intersection – cars cannot blow through. Ron Sacca observed that there are Reduce speed Children signs in the area. Glenn Clancy cited warrants from the Manual of Traffic Control Devices. Glenn Clancy will respond to the Melanson’s citing the Traffic Control manual and that TAC does not feel a Stop Sign is warranted at this intersection.
OLD BUSINESS:
Committee Spreadsheet of Action Items: GC presented a copy of sheet. We will review the Harvard Lawn Cut-through Traffic as it has been in place for more than a year. A Follow Up Hearing will be held in May.
Old Minutes - Glenn Clancy is trying to locate some old minutes.
.It was moved and seconded to adjourn the meeting at 8:30PM.
Respectfully submitted,
Laurence P. Macdonald, Clerk
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