2012-09-13CITY OF BEVERLY
PUBLIC MEETING MINUTES
BOARD OR COMMISSION
SUBCOMMITTEE:
DATE:
LOCATION:
MEMBERS PRESENT:
MEMBERS ABSENT:
RECORDER:
Parking and Traffic Commission
September 13, 2012
Conference Room B, Third Floor City Hall
Chair Rich Benevento, Russ Rollins, Bill Fiore,
John Somes, Tina Cassidy
Bill Bent and Richard Hutchinson
Eileen Sacco
Benevento calls the meeting to order at 8: 30 a.m.
1. Update /Discussion: Possible Truck Exclusion for Cole Street / Sgt.
Rollins
Cassidy reports that Mr. Bent is unable to be here this morning and she would like to
postpone discussion of this matter to a possible special meeting when Mr. Bent is
able to attend since he has some valuable input to give on this matter.
Benevento suggests that Cassidy send Bent an email requesting that he draft a letter
to the Massachusetts Department of Transportation regarding this matter. Cassidy
suggests that the letter should come from the Mayor or the City Council. Benevento
agreed. Cassidy states that she will work on the language of the letter with Bent.
2. Discussion: Resident Issues Regarding Speed ad Roadway Impediments
on Pillowlace Lane and Wentworth Drive - Resident Richard Garlin
Cassidy reports that Mayor Scanlon received an email from Pillowlace Lane resident
Richard Garlin outlining his concerns regarding the use of Wentworth Drive as a cut
through and the presence of a basketball hoop in the street that does not appear to
be used.
Mr. and Mrs. Garlin are present at the meeting. Mr. Garlin states that they have lived
on that street for 30 years. Cassidy explains that Pillowlace Lane used to be a dead -
end prior to construction of the abutting Planters Subdivision. An emergency access
road was constructed between Pillowlace Lane and the end of Wentworth Drive and
was not intended for use by regular vehicular traffic.
Fiore explains that people in the neighborhood use the road in both directions.
Benevento states that when it was built it should not have made to look like a street.
Mr. Garlin notes that JRM uses that road when collecting trash in the area as well.
Benevento suggests that a letter be sent to the residents informing them that the
street should not be used for vehicular traffic and that signage indicating fines put
Final Parking & Traffic Commission meeting minutes September 13, 2012
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up there. Cassidy asks if there was a certain time of day that cars go up and down
there. Mr. Garlin states that it is usually in the morning.
Mrs. Garlin expresses her concern that this is a safety issue noting that cars fly
through there.
Benevento suggested that the Commission make a recommendation to the Mayor
suggesting that additional signage be installed indicating that fines will be imposed
for using the emergency connector at Pillowlace and Wentworth Drive and that this
will be monitored and enforced by the Police Department.
Benevento suggested that the basketball hoops could be a road obstruction and
suggested that the Commission refer to existing City policies. Cassidy will reach out
to Mike Collins and see how basketball hoops have been handled in the past. She
also suggests that they will find out who owns the hoop.
3. Discussion: Traffic Concerns Regarding Woodland Avenue (June 8 site
visit and individual observations) - Resident Lois Johnson
Cassidy notes that Mr. Bent has some observations and recommendations on this
issue and the Commission has decided in the past to wait for Mr. Bent to return
before completing discussion. Benevento explains that he told Ms. Johnson this
matter would be tabled until the October meeting, pending Mr. Bent's return.
4. Update /Discussion: Council Order #4: Conduct of Traffic and Parking
Study in the Vicinity of the Proposed Commuter Rail Parking Garage
Benevento notes that on- and off - street parking utilization needs to be looked at
noting that if people can park free on local streets they are going to avoid paying in
the new garage and will park in the neighborhood instead.
Cassidy states that there is another "in- house" meeting of City staff scheduled for
September 18th on this subject and they will be reviewing the city ordinances as
well. Benevento and Cassidy promise to update members at the next meeting.
S. Discussion: Order #141: Request for Parking and Traffic Commission
to evaluate and recommend traffic circulation and safety improvements
for Essex Street (Cole Street to Corning) / Councilors Houseman, Martin,
and Schetszle
Members briefly discuss the results of the site visit held earlier this morning.
Cassidy took notes of that discussion and volunteers to draft a letter for
consideration. Benevento notes that there is no easy fix and the MBTA needs to be
on board since rail crossings are involved and there is a four way stop at Brimbal
Avenue where there should be traffic signals. He also says that there are conflict
points at Lakeshore Drive.
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4. New or Other Business
Benevento asks if there is any new or other business for the Commission to discuss
today. There is none.
6. Approval of Minutes: July 10, 2012 regular meetings and August 7,
2012
Benevento suggests that approval of the minutes be tabled to the next meeting.
7. Adjournment
Benevento asks if there is any additional business for the Commission to conduct.
There is none.
Cassidy: motion to adjourn, seconded by Fiore. All members in favor, motion
carries 6 -0.
The meeting is adjourned at 9:30 a.m.
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