Public Works Committee

FITCHBURG CITY CLERK Mar 31 2022 1:28 pm March 30, 2022 Public Works Committee Meeting Minutes A meeting of the Public Works Committee was held on Tuesday, January 25, 2022, in person at 718 Main Street in the City Hall – North Meeting Room at 5:00 PM. Committee Members Present: Councilors Marisa Fleming (chair), Sam Squailia, Paul Beauchemin, Andrew Couture. Commissioner Nicholas Erickson Superintendent Gary Withington Committee Members Absent: Other Participants: Councilors Sally Cragin and Bernie Schultz, Sgt. Daniel Boudreau 1) Vote to approve minutes from previous meeting (1/25/22): Minutes were approved unanimously. 2) Vote to approve remaining meeting dates for 2022 as proposed at the January 25, 2022 meeting were approved 4-0 in favor. 3) DPW Updates: Commissioner Nicholas Erickson spoke of putting all the outstanding petitions onto a database. Also discussed was his plan for the upcoming construction season. All the older petitions will be addressed as staffing and funding allows. 4) Action was taken as follows on NEW petitions: a) 196-21. Councilor Marcus DiNatale, on behalf of resident Barbara Slattery, to install a sidewalk apron at the corner of Old Deerfield Road and Electric Avenue (similar to the one recently installed on same side at Mount Elam Road and Electric Avenue), then allowing for the installation of a crosswalk, to enhance the safety of pedestrian traffic for the residents of Old Deerfield Road who use the adjacent bike path around Forest Hill Cemetery. (REFERRED from City Council on November 4, 2021) Discussion: Pending results of a traffic study to be conducted in house by the DPW with support from the FPD. Anticipated timeline for completion of the traffic study is April 2022. If the traffic study concludes a crosswalk is acceptable of this location, one will be installed pending availability of funding. Recommendation: The Committee voted 4-0 that the petition be APPROVED. b) 197-21. Councilors Sam Squailia and Elizabeth Walsh, to petition the city to replace the broken guardrail boards along Harvard Street between Boutelle and St. Bernard Street as shown in the attached pictures. (REFERRED from City Council on November 4, 2021) Discussion: Approved for spring time construction. Recommendation: The Committee voted 4-0 that the petition be APPROVED. c) 198-21. Councilors Marcus DiNatale and Bernard Schultz, on behalf of resident Carrie Harris, to install a new fence on the right side of Forest Street just right after Maple Street (and 70 Forest Street) if going down the hill from Pine Street. (REFERRED from City Council on November 4, 2021) Discussion: Approved for spring time construction. A temporary fix has been implemented. Recommendation: The Committee voted 4-0 that the amended petition be APPROVED. d) 199-21. Councilor Marisa Fleming, on behalf of Fisher Road residents Yarisbeth Guzman, Lloyd Wentzall, and Christine Fagone, to request new signs and public lighting for Fisher Road as outlined in the enclosed petition. Suggestions offered: 1., Arrow sign at the end of the road. 2., “No Trucks Allowed” sign. 3., New road barrier to replace poor existing barriers. 4., Revision of Bridge Railing height and fall protection. 5., Speed limit sign. 6., Blind sign. (REFERRED from City Council on November 4, 2021) Discussion: Signage and new Jersey barriers approved. Lighting and bridge repairs approved pending funding, which will need to be sourced outside of the DPW’s annual budget. This will be either through a grant program or other sources of funding. Recommendation: The Committee voted 4-0 that the petition be APPROVED. e) 215-21. Councilors Marisa Fleming and Andrew Van Hazinga, to install a streetlight on pole #5 in front of the Abolitionist Park located on Snow Street. (REFERRED from City Council December 7, 2021) Discussion: Approved pending availability of funding. Recommendation: The Committee voted 4-0 that the petition be APPROVED. f) 216-21. Sgt. Daniel Boudreau FPD Traffic Unit, Councilor Samantha Squailia, and Nick Erickson, acting Commissioner of Public Works; installation of traffic island between Old Leominster Road and Abbott Ave. Addition of “no right turn” on Abbott Ave. turning onto Old Leominster Road. Addition of stop sign at end of Old Leominster Road at Abbott Ave. (REFERRED from City Council on December 7, 2021). Discussion: Approved pending a traffic/engineering study to determine correct placement of signage. Study to be conducted in-house by the DPW and FPD. Recommendation: The committee voted 4-0 that the petition be APPROVED. g) 217-21. Councilors Marcus DiNatale and Paul Beauchemin, on behalf of Jorge Rodriguez, to install a streetlight on Wall Street between the corner of Wall and Beech Street and 20 Wall Street. Pole number for placement would be #631. (REFERRED from City Council on December 7, 2021). Discussion: Approved pending availability of funding  Recommendation: The committee voted 4-0 that the petition be APPROVED. h) 220-21. Councilor Marisa Fleming, to install barriers or guardrails at all culverts along Billings Road to mitigate any vehicles sliding into them. Makers have been placed, but once it snows, these markers are no longer visible. Discussion: Withdrawn. Recommendation: The committee voted 4-0 to WITHDRAW the petition. 5) HELD petitions for review. i) 089-20. Councilor Bernie Schultz and resident Alex Freeman to remove the “No Turn on Red” sign at the intersection of John T. Cetrino Memorial Drive and Water Street. (HELD on the 10/28/20 meeting and the 1/26/21 meeting and the 7/27/21 meeting). (Amended the spelling of Cetrino at the January 2021 meeting). Discussion: The committee voted 4-0 that the petition be HELD until a traffic study could be completed. Recommendation: The committee voted 4-0 that the petition be HELD.