City Council - Public Works Committee

CHICOPEE CITY COUNCIL PUBLIC WORKS COMMITTEE ACCEPTED MEMBERS Fred Krampits Jean Croteau, Jr. Gerry Roy Dino Brunetti Frank Laflamme MINUTES January 31, 2012 The following are the minutes of a public hearing held Tuesday, January 31, 2012 at 7:00 PM at City Hall, Council Chambers, 4th floor, City Hall Annex. Members Present Krampits, Croteau, Roy, Brunetti, Laflamme Also Present Councilor Zygarowski, Councilor Vieau, Councilor Tillotson, Council Moreau, Steve Frederick (City Engineer), Stanley Kulig (DPW Superintendent), Daniel Garvey (Associate City Solicitor), Frank Valley (Assistant City Engineer), Deputy Dean Desmarais, John Ferraro, Jr., (Police Chief), Frank Czepiel (Chairman, Commission on Disabled) The meeting was called to order at 7:00 PM. ITEM #1 ORDERED THAT a portion of the existing street line be changed on Florence Avenue at the intersection of Frederick Street and the remaining portion to be abandoned to the abutter at 72 Florence Avenue. Abutters, Marie Lonczak and Joe Cebula were present at the meeting. The abandonment came to light when a recent survey of the abutting site revealed that the southwest corner of the garage, and most of the driveway for 72 Florence Street was located on City property. This abandonment is to correct this issue. Frank Valley stated that a survey and appraisal were received. The Engineering Department recommends abandonment. Frank further stated that the road and curbs remain the way they are. There is no cost to the City. Councilor Vieau stated that this abandonment does not change the layout of the road. Councilor Croteau questioned whether this abandonment will create a building lot. Ms. Lonczak replied that the lot is already approved. Motion made by Councilor Laflamme and seconded by Councilor Croteau to approve. Committee vote 5 – 0 favorable. ITEM #2 1 ORDERED THAT the city investigate installing portable speed bumps on secondary streets. Councilor Vieau explained that the reason he filed the order is because of constituent complaints. Motorists use Stedman Street as a cut through from Chicopee Street to Meadow Street. The constituent suggested the city install portable speed bumps as a solution to speeders. Public Input Frank Czepiel, Commission on Disabled, spoke about a disabled person on Stedman Street. He is opposed to speed bumps because it is difficult for the disabled to maneuver wheelchairs on them. Steve Frederick spoke about the various traffic calming techniques that have been employed throughout the country. “The traditional speed bumps are like those that could have been seen at the old CCHS and at shopping centers where speed in low. Speed bumps are very abrupt. Speed bumps are not used on any type of road network. Speed humps are usually longer type of device. Somewhere 12 – 14 feet long, varying heights maybe up to 4 inches. Speed tables you see employed in highly pedestrian traffic areas where longer than 12-14 feet crosswalk would be employed on that. Amherst College on Route 9 has various speed tables where a crosswalk is employed. Yes, this could be used to control speed, control traffic but they have other effects. If you place the speed bumps on Stedman Street does that mean that Roy Street gets all the traffic or Shaw Park. Usually it is not just one street that this is employed on usually it is a whole platoon. Speed hump devices create a lot of neighborhood controversy on both sides. There is a cost of implementation involved also. The portable speed bumps are rarely left in place at all. Usually they are used as experimental technique because they are portable and can be easily taken out and removed. If you go with the more permanent there is the cost of advanced warning signs, striping. Gaps left for drainage, centerline for emergency vehicles cause the risk of cars not staying on their side of the road. This is not a cure. Portable speed bumps are used more for a traffic study. Just have to be careful as we look into this.” Stanley Kulig stated that all ward meetings that he has attended in the past residents always complain about speeding. He further stated that if this is implemented on one street there will be multiple requests. The research he has done has shown that some people love speed bumps some people hate them. He stated that the state of Michigan has officially rejected speed bumps as a standard traffic device. He does not feel it is a cure all and he would recommend against because they are a long-term maintenance problem. They take up time and money. He stated that speed bumps pose an increase hazard to the unwary, a challenge to the dare devil, a disruption to the movement of emergency vehicles, undesirable increase in noise. He stated that noise is primary complaint with speed bumps. They also cause problems during snow removal. Stanley stated that he would not recommend speed bumps. Councilor Croteau spoke about perhaps installing rumble strips. Similar to those found on the Mass Turnpike. He has seen them used in New Hampshire. This would not effect plowing it is just a reminder that you are on a different road now. Some Councilors felt that this would create a noise issue with residents. Chief Ferraro suggested that the Police Department Traffic Bureau bring the sign and place it on Stedman Street which shows the drivers the speed he or she is traveling at. He said this has been used in other areas of the city and it has helped. Sometimes there is a police officer waiting ahead to write a ticket and sometimes there is not. Chief Ferraro encouraged residents to call the Police Department if there is a speeding issue. Deputy Desmarais stated that the Fire Department would be opposed to any speed bumps or speed humps, primarily sighting a delay in response time. The National Fire Prevention Association states “road ways shall not be designed and constructed to include speed bumps or speed humps.” Deputy Desmarais stated that there was a study done in Portland City, Oregon 2 about speed bumps. The study showed that apparatus would have a delay of anywhere from 5 to 10 seconds per speed bump. He stated that it may not seem like a lot but if you have 6 speed bumps that delays the response to a scene by a minute, for every minute a fire doubles in size. The study also showed that the largest apparatus had the longest delay. The study’s largest apparatus had a 17-foot wheelbase and was 40,000 lbs. The city’s tower truck has a 20-foot wheelbase and weighs 72,000 lbs. Another concern of the Fire Department with speed bumps is patient care. The number one complaint with the ambulance is the ride. Speed bumps; acceleration, stopping, bump. This would really hinder patient care. The third concern is apparatus damage. Councilor Krampits asked is there another option to deter speeding on side streets. Chief Ferraro responded that the sign that the Traffic Bureau has does work. It has been used throughout the city and it does slow down drivers. Councilor Tillotson questioned liability if someone damages their vehicle due to a speed bump. Attorney Garvey replied that anything is possible. Stanley Kulig stated that in the articles that he has read liability is an issue. He stated that in Sweden the bus drivers now have spinal stress due to the speed bumps throughout cities. Councilor Brunetti stated that he has received complaints about speeding in his ward and he requests the residents to get the license plate number. He then calls the police department and they track down the speeding vehicle in the area and the police officer goes to the house and speaks to the driver. Chief Ferraro stated that the “out of towners” receive a letter in the mail to appear at the Police Department. Councilor Brunetti stated that this works. Councilor Moreau questioned the time that portable speed bumps could remain on the roadway. Steve Frederick replied that permanent speed bumps are just that permanent and portable speed bumps in his opinion are not built strong enough to last a long time. ITEM #3 Minutes – June 6, 2011. Motion made to accept. Motion passed. Meeting adjourned at 7:51 PM. 3