1999-08-BOS-min - Laserfiche WebLink

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61-402 Selectmen's Meeting - August 30, 1999 was accompanied by a petition signed by 34 residents. The Committee agreed that there is a high volume of traffic and excessive speed on School Street; however, the Committee informed the residents present that the Town does not install speed bumps as a means of traffic calming because of their potential harm to drivers and vehicles. However, the Committee also advised the residents that it is in the process of developing a uniform policy on traffic calming to discourage speeding on the Town's streets. Mr. Carbonneau estimated such a policy would not be ready for six months. He also made note that there has not been any funds appropriated for such road improvements. Mrs. McKenna and several residents of School Street stressed the urgent need for slowing the traffic on School Street and felt there should be interim measures taken while the policy is being developed. They also asked if signs prohibiting traffic during certain times of the day such as the ones on Wilson and Ellison Roads could be put up on School Street. Dawes Road @ Lantern Lane The Traffic Safety Advisory Committee met with Mr. Richard Larson of 4 Lantern Lane regarding the intersection of Dawes Road and Lantern Lane. Mr. Larson was concerned about cars taking a left turn on to Lantern Lane from Dawes Road. He reported several instances when vehicles have not made the turn and swerved off the road onto lawn areas. Mr. Larson also said that because the street is used as a route to Bowman elementary school, it gets heavy traffic volume. The Committee feels the intersection has good visibility and did not see any measures that could be taken to improve the intersection. The Committee recommends no action at this time. Spring Street The Traffic Safety Committee met with Mr. Geoff Waite of 28 Spring Street concerning traffic conditions on Spring Street. Mr. Waite made several proposals to increase traffic safety in the area including increased signage, a reduced speed limit, increased enforcement of the commercial vehicle exclusion, sidewalk construction, and restriping of the pavement to improve pedestrian access. The Committee did not see a way to reduce the speed limit on Spring Street and explained to Mr. Waite the lack of funding for sidewalk construction. Spring Street is not wide enough to be striped for a pedestrian way. The Committee recommends additional caution children signs be placed between 86 and 88 on both sides of Spring Street and increased enforcement of the commercial vehicle exclusion. Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to approve the recommendation of the Traffic Safety Advisory Committee. Mrs. McKenna recommended that the Engineering Department develop procedures for neighbors to petition for sidewalks in neighborhoods and Mr. Carbonneau indicated they would do so and would come back to the board with an update on all betterment procedures.