2010-05-04
CITY OF BEVERLY
PUBLIC MEETING MINUTES
BOARD OR COMMISSION:
SUBCOMMITTEE:
LOCATION:
DATE:
MEMBERS PRESENT:
Parking and Traffic Commission
MEMBERS ABSENT:
OTHERS PRESENT:
RECORDERS:
City Hall Conference Room B
Tuesday, May 4, 2010
Chairman Richard Benevento, Bill
Richard Hutchinson, Sgt. Joe Shairs,
Field
Tina Cassidy
Councilor Judith Cronin, Sue Cahill
Eileen Sacco
Bent,
Sheila
The meeting is called to order at 8:30 a.m.
1. Approval of Minutes: April 6, 2010 Meeting
Bent: motion to table the approval of the minutes to the June 1, 2010
meeting. Shairs seconds the motion. The motion carries (5-0).
2. Discussion: Potential Relocation of Crosswalk at Centerville School
Westward from Current Location to One Closer to Grover/Essex Street
Intersection and Closure of Existing Fence Opening
Benevento reports that he went to Wakefield and looked at signage. He explains
that they use a post on pole that is fluorescent yellow green and says "Speed
limit 20
miles per hour when children are present". He also notes that there is a larger
message board that flashes "your speed" as motorists pass. He states that he
thinks
that a nice cluster of signs that is very visible will encourage people to look at the
speed limit.
Shairs explains that the city posts "20 miles per hour speed limit when children
are
Present" and the message board behind it.
Discussion ensues regarding the set up of the signs. Benevento states that he
likes
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May 4,2010 Meeting
the Wakefield setup. The Commission discusses potential locations for the signs.
Benevento states that he likes that the motorists are given advanced warning but
thinks that it should be reinforced closer to the school.
Bent states that if speed is a big issue then the city should think about
reconfiguring
the roadway.
Fiore notes that there is a telephone junction box in the area.
Benevento agrees that reconfiguration is something that should be investigated
noting that the idea is to eliminate drivers from shooting straight through.
Councilor Cronin states that she would be happy with signage. Benevento
suggests
a sign in advance of the dynamic message board that states "Speed Limit 20
when
children are present".
Cahill recalls that there is a sign near the school on a pole that says "school
zone."
Benevento suggests that there should be a cross walk at the gate to the park to
accommodate access to the park. He recommends a standard 8'-10' wide cross
walk.
Shairs notes that the fence would have to be moved to get 7 off street parking
spaces
in there.
Cronin states that she is encouraged by the recommendations of the Commission
and the City Council will have something to act on.
Discussion ensures regarding parking on the park side of the street. Benevento
Suggests pulling the cars back off the street, onto the park itself, to improve sight
lines.
Cronin suggests taking down the no parking signs on Ash Street etc.
Shairs notes that there should be no parking on that side of the street, noting
that from a safety standpoint, he would rather see parking on the side streets.
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He explains that he drove through there on Saturday at 10:15 a.m. and he
could barely get through there.
Benevento suggests that the area needs a comprehensive review with the School
Department to include dismissal procedures and locations etc. He suggests
inviting
a school department official to talk with the Commission and see if they have any
ideas on how to solve this.
Cronin agrees and notes that the school department has done a fabulous job
coordinating the busses and the traffic in the morning and at dismissal.
Shairs notes that the weekend traffic problems in the area are for a longer
duration
than drop off and pick up at the schools. He adds that the issue is the use of the
fields and perhaps some of the games that are held there could be held elsewhere
to
shift some of the traffic issues.
Benevento suggests getting some data on the numbers of cars would be helpful.
Shairs explains that a gentleman in the neighborhood had volunteered and is
collecting data on the subject. He could not attend the meeting this morning but
will be em ailing him that information.
Bent:
motion that the Parking and Traffic Commission recommends
improved signage as illustrated and recommended by the MUTCD,
with an additional warning sign flashing during heavy traffic
times. The Commission also recommends that the paved sidewalk
should be shaved down and post on street parking on the park side
of the street, and that the School Business Manager be invited to a
meeting of the Commission to discuss options for the area. Fields
seconds the motion. The motion carries (5-0).
3. Discussion/Recommendation: Site Plan Review Application 101-10-
Expansion of ICC Building on Rantoul Street to Incorporate #302
Rantoul Street
The Commission reviewed the proposed plans for the expansion of the ICC
building on Rantoul Street which proposes to incorporate the property at 302
Rantoul Street into the site.
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Benevento notes that if they need more parking for the site, there is no place to
put it.
Shairs asks whether there will be enough parking provided on site to meet the
zoning requirements once the addition is constructed.
There being no further questions or comments regarding this matter Benevento
asks for a motion.
Bent: motion to recommend to the Planning Board that the proposed site
plan be approved subject to meeting the zoning requirements for
parking and that the Commission has no issues otherwise with the
plan. Shairs seconds the motion. The motion carries (5-0).
4. Discussion: Possible Shift of Parking from One Side of Hale Street at
Brackenberry Lane to Other Side (west side of Hale Street to East side of
Hale) / Councilor Hobin / Sgt. Shairs
Shairs explains that Hobin contacted him regarding this matter sometime ago
and he asked him to gather information from the neighbors about the proposal.
They also decided to put the matter off until the spring. Shairs reported that
Hobin is in the process of talking with the neighbors. He notes that he would
like to review accident data for the area as well.
Shairs suggests that he would like to see the data for the rest of the area before
the Commission schedules a meeting on this.
Fiore: motion to table the matter for more information. Bent seconds the
motion. The motion carries (5-0).
5. Discussion: Request for Crosswalk at Spring Street and Odell Avenue
Councilor Hobin and Sgt. Shairs.
Shairs explains that he doesn't see a problem with the request but there is no
handicapped access on the other side.
Benevento suggests that the Commission table the matter until they can take a
look at the area.
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Fiore: motion to table the matter for more information. Bent seconds the
motion. The motion carries (5-0).
6. Adjournment
Benevento asks if there is any other business for the Commission to conduct.
There is none.
Bent:
motion to adjourn, seconded by Field. All members in favor, the
motion carries (5-0).
The meeting is adjourned at 10:00 a.m.
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