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PTC Minutes_09.01.2020 CITY OF BEVERLY PUBLIC MEETING MINUTES BOARD: Parking and Traffic Commission SUBCOMMITTEE: DATE: September 1, 2020 BOARD MEMBERS PRESENT: Richard Benevento (Chair), George Binns, Michael Collins, Sgt. Mike Henebury, Capt. Ryan Laracy,John Lozada,Jonathan Salt BOARD MEMBERS ABSENT: Leslie Gould, Darlene Wynne (Vice Chair) OTHERS PRESENT: Emily Hutchings, Staff, Assistant Planning Director RECORDER: Sharlyne Woodbury Benevento chairs and opens the meeting at 8:32 am. This is a virtual meeting with special meeting format as required to honor Governor Baker's State of Emergency declared due to the national crisis of COVID-19. Commissioner Lozada exits the meeting at 9:05 am. 1. Discussion: Request through Natalie Pommersheim,resident of Boyles Street, regarding concerns of speed and safety on Boyles Street Resident Natalie Pommersheim submitted concerns for pedestrians with speeding motor vehicles along this narrow street. Several emails were exchanged between Commissioner Collins, Henebury, Wynne and Pommersheim regarding the issue. Henebury explains the history of traffic studies completed for the area as well as data for the speed trailer. Henebury reports over a period of time from September to October 2019.The speed trailer recorded on average traffic of 700-800 motor vehicles daily; with an increase to about 1500 motor vehicles during busy times; for a total of about 20,000 motor vehicle activity. On average most motorists travel at 23 MPH with a few outliers in excess of the speed limit (about 38). Henebury confirms the area has a regular traffic assignment due the busyness of Cole, Cross, and Boyles streets. Henebury reports within recent times there have been over 560 motor vehicle stops with 3 accidents. He assures the Commission the area is well patrolled. Collins offers comments to the traffic studies and concurs with Henebury that the best method of traffic mitigation is through enforcement of existing posted signs. Henebury and Collins also assure the Commission they have active community outreach programs with Endicott College, informing students of the residential area and road expectations as they pursue collegiate activities.The local BPD enjoys a working relationship with Endicott security to emphasize the speed expectations. Benevento opens the floor for commissioners for comments. Lozada is familiar with the area and does not see anything within the Commissions purview to further enforce or change current practices. Salt expresses concern for the area referencing his work and involvement with the Beverly Bike Committee. He speaks to the few country roads left in the city and underscores the importance of maintaining that idyllic concept while enforcing safety for all motorists, cyclists, and pedestrians. Salt also inquires if there's any possibility to reduce the outlier affect of the few excessive speeders. Benevento confirms with Collins if additional signage is necessary/helpful. Collins states existing signage is appropriate as currently posted. Binns offers comments to the joint responsibility of pedestrians maintaining vigilance while travelling the roads. For example, when pedestrians and cyclists are side by side, they too reduce Parking and Traffic Commission DRAFT September 1,2020 Meeting Minutes Page 2 of 3 the width of the road, inadvertently creating hairpin turns for drivers seeking to avoid hitting pedestrians. Concluding the comments Benevento will have a prepared statement issued to concerned residents with the Commission's findings and suggestions. Hutchings will prepare the communication. There being no further comments. No action needed at this time. 2. Discussion: Request through Eric Boeker, regarding placing a do-not-enter sign on Bisson Street(currently one way) Resident Eric Boeker expressed concerns of thru traffic on Bisson Street. Henebury reviewed the area upon request by Councilor Houseman expressing concern for traffic turning onto East Lothrop Street from Orchard Street. Commissioners discuss the area and specific locations that may be of concern. They agree that additional review of the area is necessary before the Commission provides any determination. Collins and Henebury state they will jointly review the area and all posted signs as applicable per City Ordinances and report back to the Commission with their findings. There being no further comments. No action needed at this time. 3. Discussion: Continuation from prior meeting, request regarding stop sign at Sunset Drive/Beverly Hills Avenue Sgt. Henebury was contacted by Councilor Rotondo to suggest the possible installation of a stop sign at the end of Beverly Hills and Sunset Drives. Sgt. Henebury and Chair Benevento jointly explain the purpose of stops signs, reiterating they are meant to delineate the end of a road, not to control speed. Collins offers comments that the road was reconstructed with excellent sight lines. Benevento points out the low accident history in this area. Commissioners defer back to Councilor Rotondo to gather more data specifics regarding constituent concerns. Commissioners feel is it not appropriate to install a stop sign at the cross section of the two roads. There being no further comments. No action needed at this time. 4. Approval of Minutes: Binns moves to accept August 4, 2020 minutes as amended. Laracy seconds.The motion carries 6-0. 5. New/Other Business: Change in speed limits throughout different sections along Corning Street Commissioner Salt discusses the different speed limits inquiring to standardizing the whole street with one consistent speed limit. Collins and Benevento offer joint explanations regarding the history of the street; current laws and ordinances regulating speed; data from prior engineering studies conducted; and the purview of MASSDOT in assigning roadway speed limits. Currently the City enjoys a municipal wide regulation reducing speed to 25 MPH with the exception of certain roads and areas.These areas underwent intense scrutiny to currently determine the appropriate speed. Collins and Henebury offer additional comments for Corning Street with commissioners generally agreeing there is nothing to be done at this time. Parking and Traffic Commission DRAFT September 1,2020 Meeting Minutes Page 3 of 3 There being no further comments. No action needed at this time. 6. Adjournment Binns moves to adjourn. Salt seconds.The motion carries 6-0. Meeting adjourned 9:28 am. Next meeting scheduled for 10.6.20.