Transportation Safety Advisory Committee (TSAC)

Meeting Minutes TSAC August 16, 2023 DATE: September 16, 2023 SUBJECT: Transportation Safety Advisory Committee Minutes from August 16, 2023 This meeting was held via the Zoom online platform. Meeting called to order by Michael Diluiso at 8:11 AM Members Present: • Michael Diluiso, Parking Department • Deputy Chief John Goodwin, Police Department • Chief W. Scott Wiley, Fire Department • Karin Chavis, Resident Representative Members Absent: • Director Steven Calla, Department of Public Works • Ben Schad, Resident Representative • Lisa Plotnick, Resident Representative • Julia Wallerce, Resident Representative Prior to this meeting, Council President Letterie added a resident member to the committee, expanding it to eight members. No members of the public were present. Mr. Diluiso advised that the committee lacked a quorum of its eight members and therefore could not take any votes at this meeting, but that the committee could discuss the agenda items. New Business: Agenda Item: Correspondence Mr. Diluiso advised he received a request for a stop sign at the intersection of Triton Avenue and Bay View Avenue as well as a request for a no parking area to allow easier access into and out of a driveway near 99 Bay View Ave. He stated the stop sign would be discussed with DPW Director Calla to see if it could be handled as an operational issue. He also advised he received multiple pieces of correspondence from residents of Locust St asking TSAC to reconsider their recommendation to make part of Locust St a one-way. He received an email from a resident who was upset about the 30-minute parking proposal at Town Hall that had gone to the Town Council. He received some emails that were for operational issues rather than TSAC Page 1 of 4 issues and those were passed on to the appropriate department heads and emails from a resident of Revere St inquiring about the previously adopted recommendation for a set distance to park for a driveway which is still being processed. Old Business Agenda Item: Discuss resident request for safety improvements for the intersection of Winthrop Street and Vine Avenue Mr. Diluiso advised the committee that he sent this issue to the Town Attorney and it was also discussed with Chief Delehanty of the Police Department. Even though there is precedent for the town designating a private- way as a one-way street with Williams Street, they both have stated that the town cannot mandate a one-way street on a public way. The residents can form an association and do so if they choose but the town, with the exception of the Fire Chief, can set no regulations on that street. Mr. Diluiso advised that leaves the only portion of the resident’s request that the committee can look into as the request to restrict parking on Winthrop St near the intersection of Vine Ave. He advised he had driven by the area multiple times and had noticed cars parked within 20 feet of the intersection which is prohibited by state law. He added the intersection may benefit from “no parking here to corner” signs to remind people of that regulation, but may need more than 20 feet for a vehicle coming out of Vine Ave and turning right toward Washington Ave and Pleasant St. He showed the Google Satellite map showing that concern due to the intersection geometry. Chief Wiley asked if no parking within 20 feet of the intersection was simply in compliance with current regulations. Mr. Diluiso advised it is state law. Chief Wiley stated installation of signage may be the logical first step since it would require no further action by the committee or Town Council. Agenda Item: Discuss no parking within ten feet of crosswalks in highly trafficked areas Mr. Diluiso reminded the committee that this item has been on the agenda for several months and the previous consensus was that if the committee is going to look at this issue, they should look at areas around parks, beaches, and schools unless any member had additional areas they wanted to add. He utilized the Google satellite map and street-view where necessary to review the areas to be discussed with the committee. Around Ingleside Park, he identified the crosswalk between the park and the basketball courts, adding that the bus stops are also present there. The Brookfield Road side of the park doesn’t seem to need the restriction since the crosswalks are at corners and parking is prohibited within 20 feet of the corner. The map was moved to the Pauline St area for review pointing out the two crosswalks near the rink and the one in front of Nick’s Place. Ms. Chavis mentioned that the crossing in front of Nick’s can be difficult. Mr. Diluiso stated that those spaces were added by the former Board of Selectmen, and a 10-foot restriction would most likely remove a parking spot there. At Metcalf Square, the crosswalks are at the intersection, but there is one near the library connecting to the parking lot at the old DPW yard behind the Methodist Church. Revere St and Kennedy Rd already don’t allow parking near their crosswalks in the area of the school. Page 2 of 4 Crest Ave could be an area to look at, but that would involve losing parking spaces. Mr. Diluiso asked the committee to share any suggestions. Pond St Park has the crosswalk at an intersection. Winthrop Shore Drive was disregarded since it is a state road. Pico Park has no crosswalk in the area and doesn’t have a high traffic flow. Mr. Diluiso asked about the crosswalk on Veterans Rd near the dog park since that is a route to school. Veterans Rd near Daw Playground already has the 10-foot restriction in place. Massa Playground has crosswalks at Park Ave & Beacon St and Hillside Ave and Beacon St. Ms. Chavis asked if it was highly trafficked. Mr. Diluiso said it has more traffic than you’d think because it’s the last street off the beach. Ms. Chavis asked about Hannaford Park. Mr. Diluiso stated there was no crosswalk on the satellite map. There are no crosswalks near the Public Landing since there is no sidewalk on the opposite side of the street. The crosswalk at Yirrell Beach already has no parking posted on Shirley St. Shirley St between the bend at 777 Shirley and Church Square has an outstanding request from the committee for review by a traffic engineer. Bayview Ave at Triton Ave has no legal way to park within 10 feet of the crosswalk. The Middle/High School was looked at. Main St has HP spaces near the crosswalk which can’t be removed. The other crosswalk by the High School main entrance has a driveway next to it which does not allow for parking and at the corner of Main and Cross there is a fire lane in place as well as on Payson St near the entrance to the Middle School. Mr. Diluiso asked the committee members to look at the crosswalks on Pauline St near the rink and Nick’s as well as on Walden St by the basketball courts prior to the next meeting and check if there are any other areas where such a restriction would be warranted. Ms. Chavis mentioned the intersection of Lincoln and Walden coming down the hill. Mr. Diluiso advised that no parking here to corner signs were installed after the restaurant opened. Ms. Chavis also mentioned Revere St near the Winthrop Marketplace. Mr. Diluiso mentioned that area wasn’t looked at because of the upcoming TIP Project. Ms. Chavis mentioned that project is years from completion and pedestrians can’t see to cross there when a car is parked up against the crosswalk. Ms. Chavis is concerned about the line of sight for vehicles traveling from Magee’s Corner toward this location. Page 3 of 4 Mr. Diluiso asked the members in attendance if they had anything else they would like to add or discuss. Hearing nothing from the committee, the meeting was adjourned at 8:30 AM. Date Minutes Approved: September 20, 2023 Page 4 of 4