PTC minutes_02.01.22 CITY OF BEVERLY
PUBLIC MEETING MINUTES
BOARD: Parking and Traffic Commission
SUBCOMMITTEE: None
LOCATION: Virtual meeting
DATE: February 1, 2022
BOARD MEMBERS PRESENT: Richard Benevento (Chair), Darlene Wynne (Vice Chair), Michael
Collins, Jonathan Salt, Capt Ryan Laracy, Sgt Michael Henebury,
Richard Vincent, George Binns
BOARD MEMBERS ABSENT: John Lozada
OTHERS PRESENT: Ann Whalen; Cindy Shoer; Anne Whalen, Paul Whalen, Matt St.
Hilaire; Cindy Shoer; Donald Morin;Jared Bowers; Joan Smith;
Mac Donaldson; Paul Manzo; Rani Jacobson; Sally Hunter.
RECORDER: Sharlyne Woodbury
Benevento chairs and opens the meeting at 8:30 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.
1. Discussion: Crosswalk—Long Hill, 572 Essex Street—The Trustees of Reservations
Discussion begins. Wynne and Benevento mention the citizen petition included with the meeting
materials. Commissioners can further review them on their own if necessary. Collins provides a brief
history of the intersection area and Long Hill. Collins explains to the commission why the determination
to not assign the crosswalk back in the original location after repaving and striping. Data suggests
crosswalks located at intersections are safer. Relocating the crosswalk is not an attempt to isolate Long
Hill Reservation. There should not be access to a cross walk that is not legal or at a safe location. This
fulfills an overall need to better pedestrian access. Estimated time for completion is spring. Henebury
weighs in and agrees with Collins. This is a safe ADA compliant pedestrian access to the walkway.
Salt inquires if a crosswalk will also be at Forrest Street. Collins reiterates DPW will need to further
discuss with the property owners to determine what the best route for pedestrian circulation will be.
Salt notes that people tend to take the quickest path,the shortest point between two distances.
Benevento discusses having safe crosswalks in safe locations that are beneficial to the public and
motorists. Benevento (cites Newburyport), if there is too much of a crosswalk frequency, motorists tend
to ignore them. Henebury inquires if Burley Street will be assigned a crosswalk. Currently there is a bus
stop there. Collins believes the present configuration is appropriate for the area.
Benevento opens to the public for comment.
Jared Bowers, Long Hill Reservation
Appreciate all points presented. They are committed to getting the public to the property safely.
Paul Whalen, address not provided.
Parking and Traffic Commission
February 1,2022 Meeting Minutes
Page 2 of 3
Expresses concern with line of site due to the way the road turns. Believes the new crosswalk location
would cause more concern for crossing safely. Upon review of Google maps Whalen points out the at
this new designation, with the road at its low point; crossers cannot see cars coming from either side as
effectively as they could from the original location. By the way the road turns line of site is
compromised. Whalen moves on to discuss the proposed small sidewalks on the either side of the
crossing. Based off the current snow storm, who will maintain that side walk. It will be a challenge if the
side walk is not maintained properly in the winter. Next Whalen offers counterpoints for trying to avoid
crosswalks not at intersection. Siting downtown Cabot Street; Whalen points out between the two
intersections of Cabot/Winter/Pond streets and Cabot/Federal/Church streets there is a crosswalk
located in front of St Mary's Church. Since this crosswalk is in between two intersections, proves there is
not a precedent where a crosswalk must be at an intersection. Whalen's final thoughts are his
preference the crosswalk is put back to where it was and make it ADA compliant.The line of site is
better from the original location. Thanks the commission for their time.
Matt St. Hilaire, address not provided.
Thanks,the commission for working with the property and the public to find a solution that works for
everyone.
Donald Morin, address not provided.
Unable to unmute for comment. Provided comments in the chat. Agrees with Salt about access from the
north of the property.
Final comments. Salt had a great discussion with Keary-Soule about bike/pedestrian access. Collins does
not agree with a mid-block crosswalk location. It is preferable to not have the mid-block ones. This is not
an occasion or situation that calls for one.
No action required at this time.
2. Approval of Minutes: December 7, 2021
Motion: Vincent moves to hold December minutes until the March meeting. Binns seconds. The
motion carries 8-0.
For the record there was no January 2022 meeting.
3. General Business
a. Discussion: Resident request for guard rail, Essex and Grover Streets
Vincent discusses the location. Collins not sure of the installation for guard rail. It's not an uncommon
reason. There are short pieces of guardrail scattered around the city. It probably points back to a specific
accident in the past. Collins discusses improvements to the intersection. Benevento asks to the materials
used for the bump out and intersection. Benevento asks Henebury is there a history of house crashes at
location. Henebury believes there may be more issues with Hull and Essex, not Grover and Essex. Off
recent memory he does not recall anyone coming off the wall. Collins notes the wall has been hit a few
times apparent by the repainting of the wall. Commissioners defer comments to the public safety
experts with little comment. Henebury provided some brief historical data, since 2012, 5 accidents in
ten years.
Parking and Traffic Commission
February 1,2022 Meeting Minutes
Page 3 of 3
Benevento opens floor for public comment.
Joan Smith, 1 Grover Street
Confirmed there was an accident January 2019 against the wall. Cars coming down from the north
making a right-hand turn, go over the curbing causing the accidents. That corner is causing accidents.
Would like to see something done for the bump out. Benevento explains this is granite curb which
reflects light so motorists can see it. Also notes that does not negate the problems of people not driving
safely or paying attention.
Matt St. Hilaire
Offers comments and fully supports the homeowners. This stretch of road has been cited as a safety
issue between the young drivers of Endicott and Gordon Colleges. This area is continuing to get hit.
Benevento empathizes with concerns, however; it is important address the issue in totality, not a
assuage a symptom. Benevento does not believe adding guardrail will correct the problem. There will be
more damage to motorists with blunt ends and to hitting the guardrail. If there is a bigger problem with
the intersection, striping, alignment, etc.; those will be considered. The posted speed is 25 MPH. Essex,
Hull, and Grover streets have noted history of dangerous conditions during certain seasons. Most
notably winter. Salt asks what the speed limit was prior to changes. Collins and Henebury believe this
area falls in a special speed zone and always been 25 MPH. Henebury confirms since 1994 posted 25
MPH.
Henebury asks the commission to hold on a vote until he can provide further crash data. Streets and
intersections to review are Essex and Grover; Essex and Hull; Essex and Walker. He will review for 10
years back. Benevento said a 5-year review is fine.
No action required at this time.
Salt additional comments:
Inquires after an update on the bike parking ordinance. Wynne provides the updates and notes the
ordinance review is currently paused, but still under consideration. Wynne discusses the installation of
additional bike racks when seasonally appropriate.
Binns additional comments:
Inquires about the parking standards for apartments and condos in the new Bass River overlay district.
Wynne notes any new residential buildings are required to provide parking. Binns asks if e-bikes will be
permitted in bike lanes. Benevento defers to the state, which is currently reviewing these standards.
Collins notes this is also a speed issue. Anything over 25 MPH cannot be in a traditional bike lane. Salt
agrees there is a lot of dialogue at the state level for discussing the different types of e-bikes and their
speed ranges. Binns notes Odell Avenue looks nice with the new pavement and granite curbs.
4. Adjournment
Motion: Vincent moves to adjourn. Salt seconds. The motion carries 8-0.
Meeting adjourned 9:26 a.m.
Next meeting scheduled for 3.1.22.