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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2013-04-09-TSAC-min4 D Town of Lexington Traffic Safety Advisory Committee TO: Deborah Manger, Chair Board of Selectman CC: Carl Valente — Town Manager, Bill Hadley — DPW Director, Donna Hooper - Clerk FROM: Traffic Safety Advisory Committee (TSAC) SUBJECT: Minutes of Meeting — April 9, 2013 Members present: Manuel Ferro, Dave Cannon, Annmarie Kelleher, Jeanette Rehecchi, Mary Ellen Dunn, Sudhir Murthy, Steve Ades Agenda: • Approval of March 12"' Meeting Minutes • Police Traffic Safety Monthly Updates • Mass Ave — 3 Intersection Project • New Business Annroval of March 12 Meeting Minutes The committee did not have any comments or concerns. The motion to approve the March 12�' TSAC meeting minutes was passed unanimously. Police Traffic Safetv Updates 475 Bedford Street (BSC) - Concern forwarded through police info: Vehicle traveling East on Bedford Street are turning left into the BSC crossing over double yellow line, causing traffic back up. This has been an issue for years. Road is controlled by the state and is the process of re- design. Highway safety audit was conducted by MassDOT on this road and has been identified as a priority, Dave will reach out to state for an update. Grant St and Grant Place — Perpetual U -turns from vehicles leaving the center causing constant traffic disruption in the neighborhood. There is no safety issue at this intersection. TSAC is holding off for review due to the newly formed Parking Task Force committee (sub - committee off the Center Committee); they would like to wait and hear in what direction the Parking Task Force committee is going with the parking study. Captain Ferro and Annmarie Kelleher are on this committee and will update accordingly. Mass Ave — 3 Intersections Proiect Dave brought the PowerPoint presentation and gave an update. Most people like the signal concept at the intersection of Mass Ave and Pleasant St and felt the signals would work better. Signals scored higher on the state checklist vs. the round about at this intersection. A roundabout at this intersection would have need two lane approaches. Furthermore, a traffic signal was deemed better for emergency operations as well as for pedestrian crossing. At the intersection of Mass Ave and Maple St, a roundabout was found to require acquisition of too much right -of -way; hence, a traffic signal was deemed more appropriate. A traffic signal is also proposed at the intersection of Mass Ave and Marrett Road. Give the proposed new development at the National Heritage Museum, a traffic signal was deemed better able to handle anticipated increase in pedestrian activity at this intersection, especially by elderly people. The traffic signals at Marrett Road and at Maple Street are proposed to be coordinated. TSAC had a motion to vote in support of traffic signals at all three locations; all were in favor of this motion! See Presentation (4.37MB) Page 1 of 2 4D Town of Lexington Traffic Safety Advisory Committee The Town of Lexington seeks to improve pedestrian, bicycle and vehicular traffic safety as well as improve traffic operations along a section of Massachusetts Avenue in Lexington. The proiect area is approximately 3,500 feet long and extends from Pleasant Street to Marrett Road. Based on the public workshop which was held on November 8 ffi the town is preceding with further development of a traffic signal at Maple Street/Mass Ave and Marrett road/Mass Ave locations. Additional the town is also developing and analyzing both a signalized and roundabout alternatives at the intersection of Pleasant Street and Massachusetts New Business None Other Steve Ades mentioned that it would be nice if there was a way to know what the status of open items are — items that were recommended by the TSAC and are currently in the pipeline for implementation by the DPW. With the current system/database we have is ok but could be better. Currently in the works is a new on -line intake form, which will be more efficient in the current process. Ms. Ann Frymer attended the meeting to discuss her traffic and safety concerns at the Bridge School. Captain Ferro has been in contact with Ms. Frymer in regards to all of her concerns. At this point in time Mary Ann Dunn explained to Ms. Frymer currently the School Principles and staff volunteers devise the circulation and enforcement on school property. The authority remains with the schools and the police have no enforcement unless school committee grants approval. The School Committee has agreed to implement certain recommendations from TSAC by formally adopting and maintaining policies that will address the traffic and safety issues on school property. Mary Ann is aware these issues are not only impacting school properties but are spilling out onto town roads and intersections. One of the issues, which will be addressed, is improving the communication between the school and parents. Next steps will involve developing policies and have the school committee vote in July to codify the document. Next Meeting Next TSAC meeting: May 7, 2013 Page 2 of 2