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2010-09-07 CITY OF BEVERLY PUBLIC MEETING MINUTES BOARD OR COMMISSION: SUBCOMMITTEE: LOCATION: DATE: MEMBERS PRESENT: Parking and Traffic Commission MEMBERS ABSENT: OTHERS PRESENT: City Hall, Conference Room B Tuesday, September 7, 2010 Chairman Richard Benevento, Tina Cassidy, Bill Fiore, Richard Hutchinson and Bill Page Bill Bent Councillor Don Martin, Councillor Wes Slate, Director of Public Services Mike Collins Eileen Sacco RECORDER: The meeting is called to order at 8:30 a.m. 1. Approval of Minutes: July 6, 2010 Cassidy: motion to approve the July 6, 2010 Parking and Traffic Commission meeting as drafted. Motion seconded by Fiore, all members in favor. The motion carries 5- O. Cassidy explains that the minutes from the Commission's August 8, 2010 are not yet available so will be placed on next month's meeting agenda. 2. Update/Discussion: Dodge Street Lane Delineators and Related Matters / Councillor Martin and Former Councillor Tim Flaherty Benevento explains that the Commission went out and observed traffic in the Dodge Street area and made a recommendation to try the delineators. Since then a couple of things have been tried. Councillor Martin questions what was intended by the term "delineators", noting that cones have been placed there in the past but were destroyed. He had something else in mind as "delineators" and does not consider traffic cones to be delineators. Collins explains that the Commission voted to install temporary delineators and he installed 42" cones that are very visible. He states that the problem is that people are still ignoring them and driving left of center in the opposing lane of traffic. He wonders aloud if the experiment with cones in fact proved the issue - that even if barriers are placed on the yellow line, some motorists will ignore them. Benevento notes that the Commission talked specifically about paddle-type delineators. Collins states that he does not recommend them for that area. He notes that there are delineators at Kittredge Crossing and people merely drive over them. He adds that much of the problem is in fact due to the decision years ago to make Putnam Street a one way caused the problem. He explains what happens when the train comes and the gates close. Road. Page suggests that it might help if the Police Department did some directed regular enforcement there, noting that people will get used to it and a $200 fine will make people think. Final Parking & Traffic Commission Meeting Minutes Page 1 of4 September 7, 2010 Meeting Collins suggests that the Commission consider write a letter to the MBT A regarding the procedure that they use when the trains come across those tracks. Collins also states that he would entertain installing round tubes on a permanent basis noting that Dodge Street is a tight spot. The Commission also discusses the signage that was also included in its earlier recommendation. Page notes that fines will send a message to people and he will go out there tomorrow morning and start enforcement. Martin agrees and states that enforcement is key and he feels that the cones should go. He states that he prefers the idea of paddles over cones. Benevento asks if Mayor Scanlon has written to the MBTA regarding the city's concerns about that train crossing. He states that the Commission could write a letter but he thinks it would be more effective coming from the Mayor. Cassidy questions why the issue of the direction of traffic on Putnam Street is not up for discussion. Collins states that it is part of the problem but the railroad issue is a bigger problem. Benevento asks for a consensus from the Commission. He suggests that the cones be removed and that paddles be tried and see how that, coupled with additional enforcement from the Police Department, works out. Cassidy asks Collins for a cost estimate for this. Collins states that he would check on that. 3. Discussion: Additional Issues/Su2:2:estions Re2:ardin2: River Street and School Street Councillor Wes Slate Slate addresses the Commission and explains that the area was surveyed last year and notes that there is a blind comer across from Rantoul Street before the bridge. He explains that there is a stop sign in that location and explains it. Slate states that the orientation of the line down the middle of River Street is a problem and recommends that the line should be moved to the left rather than right down the middle. He explains that this would give more room up to the comer to improve sight lines. Slate asks the Commission to consider revisiting the striping of the roadway centerline to see if they are adequate and to install a "no parking sign" and a "no right turn sign". Cassidy states that she would not recommend a stop sign or a stop line for that site. Slate suggests that the stop sign could be moved closer to the intersection. Benevento suggests that the Commission take a look at the area to see if there are some enhancements that they could recommend. Slate suggests that they revisit the original recommendation from the Commission to see if everything was implemented and if what was done is working. Collins explains that they could move the stop sign up to School Street but they could not afford to do the other suggestions. Slate and Page will take a look at it and report at the next meeting. Page will check on the truck exclusion signage Cassidy suggests that the Commission send a letter to the Mayor highlighting its concerns regarding the School Street bridge. Slate will take the issue to Mary Grant as well. Final Parking & Traffic Commission Meeting Minutes Page 2 of 4 September 7, 2010 Meeting 4. Discussion: Beverly Public Library - Si2:na2:e Remakin2: - S2:t. Pa2:e Page asks if a letter was ever sent to the Council recommending the changes to the traffic flow in the Library parking lot. Cassidy will check on that and if not will get a letter out as soon as possible. 5. Ordinances Councillor Slate explains that the City Council subcommittee is in the process of finishing up their review of the city ordinances. He notes that Eric Barber did a great job updating the Public Services section and recommends that someone should review the ordinances relative to traffic for accuracy and if there are any changes get them to him. He notes that the City Council Legal Committee is reviewing the policy changes now. 6. Discussion/recommendation: Potential to chan2:e direction of traffic flow on Kittred2:e and Russell Streets / DPS Director Mike Collins Collins addresses the Commission and explains that the train horns are the issue and explains the "horn rule" and procedures. He notes that the Quiet Zone Risk Index changes annually. Collins recalls that there was an accident there that occurred when a lady went to the left side of the island and got hit by a train. Cassidy notes that we can keep the train horns silent if we make certain improvements. Collins explains what is there now in terms of gates and their locations. He explains that there is a problem in that Dairy Queen customers cannot easily turn left out of the establishment. Collins recommends that the Commission provide input on the notion of reversing the traffic flow on Kittredge and Russell Streets (one way in from lA and Kittredge and one way out on Russell.) Benevento suggests that the Commission visit the site. Collins notes that school is back in session so a visit should be done around 7:30-7:45. Cassidy suggests that she will contact Councillor Jim Latter to schedule a site visit with the Commission. 7. Discussion: Parkin2: issues associated with Ray Street and Boden Street (Cove PlaY2:round) S2:t. Pa2:e Page reports that the Police Department has received complaints that there is parking on both sides of the street since the playground has been remodeled. He explains that he visited the site and there is a problem with parking on both sides of the street, noting that the neighbors have suggested no parking on one side of the street. Benevento states that the input from all of the neighbors needs to be taken into consideration, noting that everyone's eyes should be wide open when such decisions are made. He suggests the Commission schedule a site visit to the park and members concur. Cassidy states that she will contact Councilor Hobin about the site visit and ask him to attend. 8. New Business Final Parking & Traffic Commission Meeting Minutes Page 30f4 September 7, 2010 Meeting Benevento notes that Sgt. Shairs was the Vice Chair of the Parking and Traffic Commission and a new Vice Chair needs to be elected. Cassidy notes that Ilia Stacy is the new Executive Director of the Chamber of Commerce and she will be a member of the Commission. Benevento suggests that the election of a Vice Chair be on the agenda for the next meeting. Cassidy notes that there has been nothing done about the suggestion to eliminate the existing "no turn on red" prohibition at the comer of Dane and Essex Streets. Benevento explains that he and Bent spent some time looking at the area and ideally the signal timing and phasing of the signal needs to be changed. He notes that a recommendation was made to the City Council. Benevento suggests that he would like Bent's input on the matter and asks that the issue be deferred to the next meeting. 9. Next Meetin2: The next meeting of the Parking and Traffic Commission will be held on October 5,2010 at 8:30 a.m. 10. Adiournment Benevento asks if there is any other business for the Commission to conduct. There is none. Cassidy: motion to adjourn, seconded by Fiore. All members in favor, the motion carries 5-0. The meeting is adjourned at 10:30 a.m. Final Parking & Traffic Commission Meeting Minutes Page 40f4 September 7, 2010 Meeting