Public Works Committee

October 28, 2020 Public Works Committee Meeting Minutes A meeting of the Public Works Committee was held on Tuesday, October 27, 2020, via Zoom conference hosted by FATV, at 5:00 PM. Committee Members Present: Councilors Marissa Fleming (chair), Andrew Couture, Bernard Schultz, and Andrew Van Hazinga. Commissioner Nicolas Bosonetto Superintendent Gary Withington Committee Members Absent: Paul Beauchemin Other Participants: None 1) Minutes from July 29, 2020 meeting were approved. 2) DPW Updates: Commissioner Bosonetto gave the Committee a brief update on upcoming sewer, stormwater and UNTIL gas projects that will require significant construction along Main Street and surrounding neighborhood during 2021 through 2027. 3) Action was taken as follows on NEW petitions: 088-20. Sgt. Daniel Boudreau, FPD, Councilor Amy Green, Councilor Bernard Schultz to amend ch. 169 of the City Code, No Parking, South to Burnap, south side, south side starting 54 feet from South St. to Burnap St., Kingsbury St., Drury Lane, as outlined in the enclosed petition. (REFERRED from City Council 3/17/20). Discussion: Commissioner Bosonetto advised that this petition should be referred to the Public Safety Committee since it deals with enforcement of parking in relation to the South Street School pick-up and drop-offs. Recommendation: The Committee voted 3-0 to REFER the petition to the Public Safety Committee.  089-20. Councilor Bernie Schultz and resident Alex Freeman to remove the “No Turn on Red” sign at the intersection of John T. Centrino Memorial Drive and Water Street. (REFERRED from Public Safety Committee 10/20/20). Discussion: Councilor Schultz inquired as to the origin of the sign and commented that allowing right turns on red would likely increase traffic flow at the intersection. Commissioner Bosonetto reported that the sign and ordinance prohibiting right-turn-on-red at the bridge originated in 1992 and the reason for the prohibition is related to the traffic signal having a separate phase for the Boyle Court/old fire station entrance. When Boyle Court receives the green signal they have the right-of-way across the intersection and allowing a right-turn from the bridge would create a conflict. Councilors Schultz and Van Hazinga inquired into the feasibility of replacing the signal for Boyle Court with a STOP sign. Commissioner Bosonetto will look further into the matter. Recommendation: The Committee voted 4-0 that the petition be HELD. 090-20. Councillors Paul Beauchemin and Anthony Zarrella to request Unitil, when removing trees, remove/grind stumps. (REFERRED from City Council 3/17/20). Discussion: Superintendent Withington reported that he has discussed the matter with UNITIL and that they are willing to do stump removals if the homeowner requests it. However, UNITIL crews are very busy and stump removal is a costly procedure. Committee noted that the petition was for a formal request. Recommendation: The Committee voted 4-0 that the petition be GRANTED. 0173-20 Councilors Marisa Fleming & Andrew Van Hazinga to increase the availability of on- street parking along Day Street. (REFERRED from Public Safety Committee 10/20/20). Discussion: Councilor Van Hazinga presented the petition requesting traffic and parking changes to Day Street in order to increase on-street parking. Councilor Van Hazinga pointed out the need for increased parking for both residential and businesses. The petition was discussed at the Public Safety Committee and there were concerns from FPD regarding the width of the roadway so the petition was referred to the DPW Committee. Commissioner Bosonetto reported that the conversion of Day Street to one- way at the approach to the Main Street intersection had already been completed by DPW through the installation of DO NOT ENTER and ONE WAY signs as well as the removal of the traffic signal heads for Day Street. These changes have already resulted in increased level of service at the signalized intersection. Commissioner Bosonetto also discussed the issue with FFD and FPD and reported that due to the skewed angle of the intersection, fire apparatus needs clearance to make the turn onto Day Street and therefore parking in front of the barber shops (2 Day St) is not feasible. 10/28/20 City of Fitchburg, Massachusetts 01420 Page 2 of 6 www.fitchburgma.gov  Also the FPD thought the street width was too narrow to accommodate parking on both sides. Councilor Schultz mentioned that the loading zone should stay on the west side of the street since it would not be practicable to have forklifts/pallet trucks driving across the street. Councilor Van Hazinga made a motion to amend the petition to strike the first three bullet points regarding one-way travel, parking in front of 2 Day Street, and overnight parking in the loading zone. Motion to amend passed 4-0. Commissioner Bosonetto mentioned that under City Code §169-4, Council can pass experimental traffic regulations that allow for a trial period not to exceed 90-days. This trial period would allow DPW, FFD, and FPD to evaluate and monitor the new parking in front of the Hotel Raymond and report back to the Committee before making the changes permanent. Recommendation: The Committee voted 4-0 that the petition be GRANTED as AMENDED as a 90-day experimental regulation. 194-20. Councilor Andrew Van Hazinga on behalf of James Cormier to repair the sidewalk along Blossom Street between Elm and Mechanic Streets. (REFERRED from City Council 9/3/20). Discussion: Councilor Van Hazinga reported that the sidewalk on Blossom Street next to Elm Street was very deteriorated and allowing water/sand from the roadway to wash into the neighbor’s yard. Commissioner Bosonetto reported that DPW has a minimal sidewalk budget of $17,000/year and there is a long list of sidewalk repairs. DPW is not opposed to fixing the sidewalk, but it would take quite some time before it was addressed. Recommendation: The Committee voted 4-0 that the petition be GRANTED. 0195-20. Councilor Andrew Van Hazinga on behalf of James Cormier to install a guardrail along Blossom Street at 612 Elm Street. (REFERRED from City Council 9/3/20). Discussion: Councilor Van Hazinga presented the petition for installation of guard rail. Chair Fleming inquired whether other solutions could be used instead of guardrail. Commissioner Bosonetto explained that guardrails need to be crash-worthy devices that are designed to keep vehicles on the roadway and their passengers safe. Properly designed and installed guardrails are very expensive and DPW does not have a budget line item for guardrail maintenance or installation. There are many deficient guardrails throughout the city that need to be addressed. Recommendation: The Committee voted 4-0 that the petition be GRANTED. 10/28/20 City of Fitchburg, Massachusetts 01420 Page 3 of 6 www.fitchburgma.gov  0196-20. Councilors DiNatale and Schultz on behalf of Elizabeth Carbone to install a new berm at 261 Albee St. and replace the sidewalk in front of the same address. (REFERRED from City Council 9/3/20). Discussion: Superintendent Withington inspected the site and reported that due to years of paving, the roadway surface was now above the adjoining yard in front of 261 Albee Street allowing runoff to enter the property and recommended paving the apron and berm. Chair Fleming inquired when the work could be completed. Superintendent Withington stated that it would be scheduled for next year. Recommendation: The Committee voted 4-0 that the petition be GRANTED. 0197-20. Councilor Paul Beauchemin to have a berm placed in front of 107 to 93 York Avenue and an apron added to the driveway on 107 York Avenue due to washout caused by rainwater. (REFERRED from City Council 9/3/20). Discussion: Superintendent Withington inspected the site and reported that a berm would be an appropriate means of resolving the issue. Recommendation: The Committee voted 4-0 that the petition be GRANTED. 0198-20. Councilor Andrew Van Hazinga & Susette Roman to repair the sidewalk at 153 Prichard Street. (REFERRED from City Council 9/3/20). Discussion: Councilor Van Hazinga reported that the sidewalk at 153 Prichard Street was very deteriorated and the resident is in a wheelchair. Recommendation: The Committee voted 4-0 that the petition be GRANTED. 0199-20. Councilor Andrew Van Hazinga & Susette Roman to repair the sidewalk at 100 Elm Street. (REFERRED from City Council 9/3/20). Discussion: Commissioner Bosonetto reported that the sidewalk is located in front of the courthouse and is currently being replaced as part of the State’s ADA retrofit to the courthouse. Councilor Van Hazinga made a motion to withdraw. Recommendation: The Committee voted 4-0 that the petition be WITHDRAWN. 10/28/20 City of Fitchburg, Massachusetts 01420 Page 4 of 6 www.fitchburgma.gov  213-20. Councilor Paul Beauchemin to petition the City to repair the sidewalk at 204 and 208 Plymouth Street in order to allow wheelchair egress. (REFERRED from City Council 10/6/20). Discussion: Superintendent Withington has visited the site and agreed that the work needs to be done. Recommendation: The Committee voted 4-0 that the petition be GRANTED. 218-20. Councilor Paul Beauchemin to petition the City to add an apron to 186 Daniels Street to avoid car bottoming out. (REFERRED from City Council 10/20/20). Discussion: Superintendent Withington has visited the site and agreed that the work needs to be done. Asphalt paving will be done this year with the concrete apron being replaced next year. Recommendation: The Committee voted 4-0 that the petition be GRANTED. 219-20. Councilor Paul Beauchemin to add a streetlight to pole #22, located at the corner of Oak Hill Road and Pratt Road. There had been one on the pole in the past. (REFERRED from City Council 10/20/20). Discussion: Commissioner Bosonetto reported that DPW has a light in stock and has contacted UNITIL. Cost is about $1,400. The light would illuminate the intersection and increase safety. Recommendation: The Committee voted 4-0 that the petition be GRANTED. 220-20. Councilor Marissa Fleming for Sean and Daniella Vaillancourt to install a berm at 599 Pearl Hill Road to prevent water runoff from the street. Discussion: Commissioner Bosonetto reported that Pearl Hill Road has many drainage issues that need a long-term solution. This berm would be a short- term solution. Recommendation: The Committee voted 4-0 that the petition be GRANTED. 4) Previously HELD petitions for review: 046-20. Councilors Marisa Fleming and Marcus DiNatale to declare Ethier Street a Public Way. (REFERRED from City Council on 2/4/2020 to Property Committee, Planning Board, and Public Works Committee) (Held during February and June DPW Committee Meeting) Discussion: Petition was continued. Recommendation: The Committee voted 4-0 that the petition be HELD. 10/28/20 City of Fitchburg, Massachusetts 01420 Page 5 of 6 www.fitchburgma.gov  177-20. Councillor Paul Beauchemin, to petition the City to add a berm in front of 78 St. Joseph Ave., in order to address water and sand issues faced by residents in the winter. Berm should be placed from the start of the sidewalk to the berm on Daniels St. (HELD during July 2020 meeting). Discussion: Petition was continued. Recommendation: The Committee voted 4-0 that the petition be HELD. 5) Any Other Business: No other business was addressed. NICOLAS BOSONETTO, COMMISSIONER OF PUBLIC WORKS Name and title of person submitting minutes 10/28/20 City of Fitchburg, Massachusetts 01420 Page 6 of 6 www.fitchburgma.gov