2010-03-02
CITY OF BEVERLY
PUBLIC MEETING MINUTES
BOARD OR COMMISSION:
SUBCOMMITTEE:
LOCATION:
DATE:
MEMBERS PRESENT:
Parking and Traffic Commission
City Hall Conference Room B
Tuesday, March 2, 2010
Chairman Richard Benevento, Bill Bent, Bill
Fiore, Richard Hutchinson, Tina Cassidy, Sgt.
Joe Shairs, Sheila Field
MEMBERS ABSENT:
OTHERS PRESENT:
RECORDERS:
None
Eileen Sacco
The meeting is called to order at 8:30 a.m.
1. Approval of Minutes: February 2, 2010 Meeting
Benevento asks if there are any corrections that need to be made to the 1-5-10
meeting minutes. Cassidy notes that there is one amendment to the minutes to
include the election of Benevento as Chair and Shairs as Vice Chair.
Bent: motion to approve the minutes of the Commission's February 2,
2010 meeting as amended, seconded by Fields. All members in
favor, motion carries 7-0.
2. Discussion: Requrest to Add Crosswalk at Corner of Spring Street and
Odell A venue/ Sgt. Shairs
Shairs reports that this request was made by Councilor Kevin Hobin and he had
asked him to talk with the residents and suggested that he set up a meeting and
he was agreeable to that. Shairs also notes that there would be some expense
involved in this because a handicap ramp would have to be installed. He
recommends that the matter be tabled pending further information from
Councilor Hobin.
Bent: motion that the Parking and Traffic Commission table the matter of
the request for a crosswalk at the corner of Spring Street and Odell
Avenue, seconded by Shairs. All members in favor, the motion
carries (7-0)
Parking & Traffic Commission Meeting Minutes March 2,2010 Meeting
Page 1 of5
3. Discussion: Recommendation to Sgt. Shairs relative to on-street parking
on the north side of West Dane Street (between Park Street and the
railroad tracks) Sgt. Shairs
Shairs explains that the owner of Clemenzi Industrial Park has an issue with
parking on the site and notes that the trucks entering the site have to make a big
sweep in order to access the site. He explains that the car detailing company and
the gym patrons park along the side of the building and when they do the trucks
cannot get into the property. Shairs notes that he has to check the property lines
but might suggest that on-street parking be prohibited along a certain stretch of
West Dane Street. He adds that police have been monitoring the situation.
Cassidy agrees that it is a tough spot.
Benevento questions how the Commission should proceed. Shairs suggests
angle parking is in the ordinance and wanted to discuss this with the
Commission. He explains the area.
Benevento suggests striping parallel spaces. Shairs notes that it then becomes a
maintenance issue and suggests that signs are easier.
Cassidy notes that it makes sense to find out what the property lines are and ask
the owner to put up signs on the building if he is willing to do so.
Fiore proposes that they see if a couple of cars could be moved, noting that it
could be a snow pile or cars contributing to the problem. He states that the fire
department has never had a problem getting a truck in there.
Fields says that she is abstaining from this discussion because a family member
owns N.S. Cross Cuts, one of the establishments being discussed.
Shairs states that he will investigate the property lines and suggest that signs be
posted "No Parking Along Building."
4. New or Other Business
a. Essex Street and Dane Street - No Turn on Red South Bound on
Essex Street.
Parking & Traffic Commission Meeting Minutes
Page 2 of5
March 2,2010 Meeting
Benevento recalls that the Commission made a recommendation to the Council
that a No Turn on Red sign be installed south bound on Essex Street and it has
not been installed.
Shairs states that he would check on the status of that sign and report back at the
next meeting.
b. 45 West Street
Cassidy explains that one of the Council's subcommittees was due to discuss this
matter at its meeting last night. Cassidy will check on the status of this. She says
that the issue of on-street parking at the Rantoul Street CVS, Haskell Street
parking and parking in front of the old registry building were also on the agenda
last night. She will inquire about those as well.
c. Parking and Traffic Commission discussion with City Council
Benevento states that he would like to schedule a presentation to and discussion
with the City Council to update them on what the Commission has been doing.
Cassidy suggests aiming for the first meeting in April which is April 5th. She will
contact Council President Mike Cahill to make arrangements.
Benevento states that he would like to stress to councilors that before they refer
matters to the Commission that they check with neighbors that would be affected
by changes for their input.
d. Traffic Island Signs
Cassidy reports that there have been some safety concerns regarding the size of
signs being located on traffic islands for the traffic island beautification program.
Specifically she mentions the Scialdone Sign on the traffic island at Essex Street
as one that impairs the vision of drivers.
Shairs reports that he went down there and noted that if you stop too far back
the sign does impair sight. He sees that issue as a potential problem everywhere,
noting shrubs on Brimbal Avenue are a problem as well. He also notes that the
ordinance calls for nothing higher than 30 inches and suggests that follow up
maintenance of shrubs would help.
Parking & Traffic Commission Meeting Minutes
Page 3 of5
March 2,2010 Meeting
Benevento asks if any information is given to the people who participate in the
traffic island program, such as guidelines. He suggests that there should be
criteria that should be followed, including requirements regarding safety such as
wearing traffic safety vests, time of day when island work can take place, etc.
Cassidy explains the history of the traffic island program. She says there used to
uniformity of signs because the City purchased them on behalf of participants,
but now every traffic island has a different sign because each sponsor orders
his/her own. She agrees that there has to be some oversight.
Fields suggests that in advance of spring planting perhaps the Planning
Department could put out some guidelines or a reminder of them regarding the
height of plants and signage. Benevento asks Cassidy to forward any old
materials on this issue to him for consideration.
e. Brimbal Avenue Update
Cassidy reports that draft plans have been prepared and are being reviewed by
Mass Highway (now MASSDot). She says a meeting was held a couple of weeks
ago and MassDOT authorized continuing work on the design which is at the 25%
stage.
f. Parking Meter Replacement Update
Cassidy updates the Commission on the Parking Meter Replacement program.
She explains that they are hoping to go out to bid next month and the
construction would occur during the summer.
g. Rantoul Street Update
Cassidy reports that the draft plans are 25% complete and Mike Collins has
asked Cassidy and Leah Zambernardi to review them. She notes that there will
be a public hearing sometime in the spring.
11. Adjournment
Benevento asks if there is any other business for the Commission to conduct.
There is none.
Parking & Traffic Commission Meeting Minutes
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March 2,2010 Meeting
Bent: motion to adjourn, seconded by Field. All members in favor, the motion
carries (7-0).
The meeting is adjourned at 9:30 a.m.
Parking & Traffic Commission Meeting Minutes
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March 2,2010 Meeting