2008-11-12
CITY OF BEVERLY
PUBLIC MEETING MINUTES
BOARD OR COMMISSION:
SUBCOMMITTEE:
DATE:
LOCATION:
MEMBERS PRESENT:
Parking and Traffic Commission
MEMBERS ABSENT:
OTHERS PRESENT:
November 12, 2008
Third Floor, City Hall
Chairman Rich Benevento, Vice-Chairman Joe Shairs,
Tina Cassidy, Richard Hutchinson, Sue Mueller, Bill
Bent
Bill Fiore
Ward 2 Councilor Wes Slate, ADA Coordinator Art
Daignault
Tina Cassidy
RECORDER:
Benevento calls the meeting to order at 9:30 a.m.
1. Approval of Minutes
The first item of business is approval of draft minutes of the Commission's June 25th, July
2nd, August 13th, and September 10th meetings. Benevento asks if everyone has had a chance
to review the drafts and whether there are any changes that need to be made. There are
none.
Cassidy:
motion to approve the draft minutes of the Commission's June 25th, July 2nd,
August 13th and September 10th meetings, seconded by Hutchinson. All
members in favor, motion carries.
2. Discussion: Possible rescission of restrictions on deliveries associated with
construction of new dormitories at Montserrat College of Art
Lee Dellicker from Windover Development introduces himself to the board and identifies
other Windover representatives who are present this morning. He explains that his firm is
the company responsible for construction of the dorms and is asking the Commission to
reconsider its August decision to limit the hours of transport of materials from the Rantoul
Street staging site to the construction site on Winter Street. The Commission had imposed a
condition that deliveries could only be made between the two sites between the hours of 9
a.m. and 4 p.m. daily.
Benevento explains that the Commission imposed this condition in an attempt to ensure
that disruptions to heavily traveled Rantoul Street are minimized during morning and
afternoon rush hours. He states that the Commission has no desire to interfere with the
construction project or cause difficulties for the project in general, but has an obligation to
ensure that this major transportation corridor (Rantoul Street) functions well for commuters
during these time frames.
Dellicker explains that there will be a total of approximately 35 transports from the Infiniti
site to the corner of Winter and Essex Streets. The company expects to conduct these
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transports between December 1, 2008 and December 10, 2008. The Commission's earlier
decision will elongate the projected construction period by at least five days, and add
approximately $26,000 in costs to the project.
Members ask for more detailed information relative to the expected transports. Dellicker
states that sections of the modular buildings will be prepared for transport at the former
Infiniti site and then moved via truck to Winter Street. Vehicles will exit the Infiniti site with
police escort, proceed down Rantoul Street, and turn left onto Pond Street. Trucks will
cross Cabot Street from Pond Street to Winter Street with police assistance. Windover
estimates that it will take only two to three minutes for each truck to "clear" Rantoul Street
once they leave the Infiniti site.
Benevento asks if any of the trucks are "wide load" trucks. Several will be, but not all of
them.
After considering this detailed information regarding the type of transport trucks that will be
used, the number of deliveries that will be required and the very limited amount of time the
trucks are expected to traverse Rantoul Street, Cassidy suggests that the Commission
consider allowing the transportation of materials anytime after 7 a.m. to see if in fact there is
a problem. If the first day of operations show that these activities do not interfere
substantially with traffic flow on Rantoul Street, there will be no need to impose time
restrictions on the deliveries. If, on the other hand, the Police Department or Mayor's
Office fields complaints about traffic tie-ups, the Commission can rescind its vote and
reimpose the conditions.
Shairs asks about Windover's plan to continue using part of the Winter Street right of way
through the winter season. Dellicker explains the nature and location of the proposed
temporary structures. Shairs expresses concern about the plan because it might interfere the
City's ability to keep Winter Street open to vehicular traffic throughout the project. Winter
Street is relatively narrow, and snowbanks could narrow the road to the point where traffic
could not easily pass through. The Commission briefly discusses this point and suggests that
Shairs consult with Windover as to the details of the winter plan and report back to the
commission at its next meeting if there appears there will be a problem.
Benevento asks for a vote of consensus from the Committee on the hours of transportation
of materials from the Infiniti site to Winter Street.
Bent: motion to rescind the Commission's earlier limitations on transportation of materials
for the Montserrat College of Art dorm project, with the understanding that if said
transportation interferes substantially with traffic flow during rush hours, the earlier
time limitations will in fact be re-imposed on the project. Motion seconded by
Hutchinson, all members in favor. Motion carries.
Shairs reminds Windover that by City Ordinance, no work can commence on either the
staging site or the construction site prior to 7 a.m. on any day.
3. Discussion on Order #111: Request for Comprehensive Traffic Study of
Congress Street neighborhood
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Cassidy updates the Commission by stating that at a previous meeting, Commission meeting
members and the Ward 2 Councilor agreed to postpone consideration of this request until it
is clear that redevelopment of the Ventron site will take place. However, the Commission
had conducted a related site visit to the Goat Hill neighborhood last fall, and at that site visit
a number of issues and concerns were raised by a resident of the neighborhood.
Since the last Commission meeting she met with Councilor Slate and reviewed the list of
outstanding issues raised during last year's site visit. The list of issues has been categorized
by the department/entity responsible for completing each. Many of the issues are not within
the purview of the Parking and Traffic Commission, but at least several may be within the
Commission's authority and should be pursued.
After a brief discussion, Benevento suggests holding a follow-up site visit on Wednesday,
November 19th at 2 p.m. Cassidy will provide members with a copy of the categorized list of
issues in advance of the site visit that day.
4. Request to designate several on-street parking spaces as one hour spaces on
Rantoul Street in front of Weaver Glass (393 Rantoul Street)
Shairs states that he met with the owners of Weaver Glass and conducted a site visit to the
area. He suggests that the Commission recommend to the City Council that three on-street
parking spaces on the east side of Rantoul Street, beginning at the intersection of Rantoul
and Roundy Streets and extending approximately 70' southbound to the driveway entrance
to Weaver Glass, be designated for one hour parking only, between the hours of 8 a.m. and
5 p.m.
Bent: motion to recommend to the City Council that three on-street parking spaces on the
east side of Rantoul Street, beginning at the intersection of Rantoul and Roundy
Streets and extending approximately 70' southbound to the driveway entrance to
Weaver Glass, be designated for one hour parking only, between the hours of 8 a.m.
and 5 p.m., seconded by Hutchinson. All members in favor, no one in opposition.
Motion carries.
5. Discussion: Traffic and Parking related issues on Story Avenue
Shairs updates members by reminding them that Ward 3 Councilor John Burke had
requested that the housing development on Story Avenue be designated a "School Zone" to
address traffic speed in the area. Shairs informs the members that police personnel
conducted several site visits to the area and found that the "Fire Lane" designation signs in
the Story Avenue complex were not properly oriented to maximize their utility. Sgt. Shairs
reported the matter to Department of Public Services, and that Department has ordered new
signs that will be erected shortly to correct that issue.
Shairs informs members that observations by police personnel revealed that the average
speed of traffic was at or below 30 m.p.h. on Story Avenue and the volume of traffic on the
street was light. He also expresses concern about the relative distance between the closest
school and Story Avenue. Benevento underscores the last concern and says that the
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MUTCD (Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices) probably has established guidelines
in this regard, and finds that in fact the MUTCD sets a 100' radius as the reasonable area for
a posted school zone. Story Avenue would fall well outside the 100' radius to the Briscoe
Middle School.
Following a brief discussion, Benevento asks if the Commission has reached consensus on a
recommendation on this matter.
Bent: motion to recommends that Story Avenue NOT BE DESIGNATED as a school
zone because observations by police personnel in July and August, 2008 revealed
that the average speed of traffic was at or below the prima facie speed of 30 m.p.h.
for school zones and the volume of traffic was light. Also, Story Avenue will not
meet the recommended guidelines of the Manual of Uniform Traffic Control
Devices (MUTCD) for posting as a formal School Zone, which requires school zone
signs to be placed within 100' of a school. Motion seconded by Hutchinson, all
members in favor. Motion carries.
6. Discussion: Handicapped accessibility for MBTA busses near the
intersection of Cabot and Winter Streets
Cassidy updates the Commission by eXplaining that at the last meeting members considered
a complaint registered with the City's ADA coordinator regarding the MBTA bus service.
The complainant uses a wheelchair and has been traveling to relatively-distant MBTA bus
stops in order to board the bus. The person lives near the Winter/Cabot Street intersection,
but the bus stop at that location does not permit the bus driver to pull adjacent to the
curbing so that the lift providing handicapped accessibility can be used. She also states that
she learned after the last meeting that the person was not told by the MBTA that he had to
use the remote bus stops to gain access to the bus. Instead, it appears to be a choice the
individual made.
Shairs states that he inventoried all of the MBTA bus stops along Cabot Street in both
directions between Gloucester Crossing and the bridge. There are a total of 15 bus stops in
both directions, including one at the Hess gas station at the corner of Cabot and Dane
Streets. This stop should be accessible because the bus can pull up right to the curb. The
Commission discusses the nearby stops on the southbound side of Cabot Street and wonder
if the MBTA bus can service the handicapped individual at the Cabot Street Cinema stop,
since it abuts Judson Street which might provide the access needed for the lift.
Daignault agrees to contact the person who complained to inform him of the existence of
the accessible stop at the Hess gas station and to suggest he speak directly with MBTA
personnel as to whether he can be accommodated at the Cabot Cinema stop in the future.
Daignault will come back to the Commission if the matter does not resolve itself.
7. Request to install a new crosswalk on Elliott Street near Greene Street
Shairs summarizes the request which was filed by Ward 1 Councilor Maureen Troubetaris.
Cassidy says that she believes the City Council's committee voted to take no action on the
request already. Shairs says he believes a number of people including Councilor Troubetaris
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are still interested in pursuing the matter including Ward 1 School Committee member
David Manzi, Ward 3 Councilor John Burke and School Superintendent Jim Hayes. Shairs
suggests having a meeting of the interested parties to discuss the matter and Benevento
offers to attend as a representative of the Commission. Shairs will try to schedule the
meeting at a time convenient to all and will update the Commission members at the
December meeting.
8. Request to designate several on-street parking spaces as one hour parking
spaces on Rantoul Street in front of Panther Pub (278 Rantoul Street)
Shairs states that he met with the owners of the Panther Pub to discuss this request and
conducted a site visit to the area. He suggests that the Commission recommend to the City
Council that three on-street parking spaces on the west side of Rantoul Street, between the
Rantoul and Federal Streets intersection and the existing "No Parking Here to Corner" sign,
be designated for one hour parking only, between the hours of 8 a.m. and 5 p.m.
He also recommends that a "No Parking Here to Corner" sign be posted on the south side
of Riverside Street at the intersection of Riverside and Rantoul Streets, and that two one
hour parking spaces be created on Riverside Street immediately west of the new "No
Parking Here to Corner" sign, with the one hour designation effective between the hours of
8 a.m. and 5 p.m.
Benevento asks if there are any concerns with this issue. There are none.
Bent: motion to recommend to the City Council that three on-street parking spaces on the
west side of Rantoul Street, between the Rantoul and Federal Streets intersection and
the existing "No Parking Here to Corner" sign, be designated for one hour parking
only, between the hours of 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. Additionally, the Commission
recommends that a "No Parking Here to Corner" sign be posted on the south side
of Riverside Street at the intersection of Riverside and Rantoul Streets, and that two
one hour parking spaces be created on Riverside Street immediately west of the new
"N 0 Parking Here to Corner" sign, with the one hour designation effective between
the hours of 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. Motion seconded by Hutchinson, all members in
favor. Motion carries.
9. Request to establish a loading zone in front of 369-371 Cabot Street (Beverly
Bootstraps) and post a "No Parking Here to Corner" sign at the intersection
of Pickett and Cabot Streets.
Shairs updates the Board by eXplaining that Ward 3 Councilor John Burke requested the
creation of a loading zone in front of this establishment and the installation of a "No
Parking Here to Corner" sign at the intersection of Cabot and Pickett Streets to improve line
of sight distances for drivers exiting Pickett Street. Shairs states that he recommends against
the creation of a loading zone, particularly since the City's ordinance technically allows
anyone to park in a loading zone for up to 15 minutes. Instead, he suggests creating short
term parking spaces in front of the building. As for the sign, Shairs has discussed the matter
with the Department of Public Services and found that the line of sight issue will be
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improved and effectively addressed when the crosswalk in this location is reconstructed.
Based on that, he does not recommend that a "No Parking Here to Corner" sign be erected.
Benevento asks if there are any questions. There are none.
Bent: motion to recommend to the City Council that two (2) 30-minute parking spaces be
created in front of 369-371 Cabot Street, with an enforcement period of 8 a.m. to 5
p.m. daily. Additionally, the Commission does NOT recommend the erection of a
"N 0 Parking Here to Corner" sign at the intersection of Pickett and Cabot Streets at
this time, since reconstruction of the crosswalk at this location, in addition to
existing ordinance restrictions, will eliminate existing problems with line of sight
distances at this location. Motion seconded by Hutchinson, all members in favor.
Motion carries.
10. Update on parking at corner of Pleasant and Park Streets
Shairs informs the Commission that the Department of Public Services relocated the existing
stop sign at this location and extended the "stop" lines to approximate a crosswalk. This
work, coupled with enforcement, has resolved the issue.
11. Update on Hurd Stadium parking issues
Cassidy states that the Commission had promised at an earlier meeting to draft a letter
suitable for use by the Recreation Department to address the existing problems with on
street parking around the stadium during certain events and sports practices. Bent had
drafted the letter but it has yet to be revised and forwarded to Commission members for
approval and delivery. Benevento will review the draft and forward it to the members
before the next meeting.
12. Follow-up on Order #194: Cole Street issues relative to construction of a
sidewalk, posting of speed monitoring equipment, and possible truck
exclusions for the roadway
Shairs says that the speed sign was placed on Cole Street in front of the cemetery last
Monday. Cassidy offers to contact Public Services Director Mike Collins to determine when
a conceptual plan for a sidewalk on one side of Cole Street might be available, and will place
the matter on an upcoming agenda depending on the answer. She states that Ward 6
Councilor Judith Cronin has asked for guidance on the truck exclusion issue, which she
intends to pursue on behalf of her constituents. Benevento had agreed to draft an outline of
the steps that would be needed to create a truck exclusion route, including the process that
would be needed to designate an acceptable truck route as required.
Benevento asks Bent if he can draft a list of steps needed to enact a truck exclusion and Bent
agrees to do that. Benevento will use that draft to complete a letter of explanation suitable
for Cronin's use. Bent says that he will send the bulleted list to both Benevento and Cassidy.
Benevento asks if there are any other issues for the Commission to discuss today. There are
none. The meeting is adjourned at 12:00 noon.
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