HomeMy WebLinkAbout1980-01-23-TSC-min-school.pdf Zotun of ` iexingtnn, AHttssttrljusetts
MEMORANDUM !/d/
TO' Mary W. Miley, Chairman DATE 1/24/80GY PAGE'
Board of Selectmen
FROM. Peter M. Chalpin, Acting Chairman SUBJECT' School Street
Traffic Safety Committee Michael F. Koehn
At its meeting of 1/23/80, the Traffic Safety Committee discussed the
letter from Mr. Michael F. Koehn regarding traffic on School Street. The
Committee addressed the points raised by Mr. Koehn and submits the following
for the Board's consideration:
1 .) We recommend that DPW be requested to check the visibility
of the speed signs on School Street and that any inadequacies
with respect to location or condition be corrected. We have
also been assured by the Police Department that strict en-
forcement of the speed limit will be maintained.
2.) As with other requests to lower posted speed limits which
have come to the Committee in the past, we recommend that Mr.
Koehn's request be denied. Re-study of posted speed zones by
the Registry of Motor Vehicles historically has yielded increases
in the speed limits, rather than decreases. As the Board is
RECEIVED aware, were a study conducted by the Registry on School Street,
SELECTMEN and were the 85th Percentile Speed found to be in excess of
30 mph, the Town would be obligated to post the zone at the
JAN 2 5 1980 greater speed. Relative to a 20 mph speed limit during school
hours, the only way to accomplish this would be the installation
of the flashing School Zone signals. As you know, some years ago
the Town adopted a policy against the use of these signals in
Lexington, a policy which the Committee still heartily endorses.
In any case, since the school property does not abut School
Street, Mass DPW would not issue a permit for such an installation.
3.) With respect to speed bumps, we recommend that the request be
denied because speed bumps are a hazard and create tremendous
liability for the Town when used on Public Ways.
4.) As the Board is aware, "Stop" signs may only be installed at
intersections, and so as to stop traffic on the minor street.
Since it is clear that School Street is the major street at its
intersections with Eastern Avenue, Roosevelt Road, etc. , `_'Stop"
signs cannot be installed as suggested by Mr. Koehn.
In reviewing Mr. Koehn's letter, the Committee discussed what relationship,
if any, this matter had with the pending Wilson Road matter. We feel that the
residents on School Street and in the Wilson Road area are faced with the same
situation, i.e. , commuter traffic. We also understand the concerns of both groups.
The Traffic Committee has recommended in the case of Wilson Road that the
request to prohibit left turns from Marrett Road in the AM Peak be denied and
that sidewalks be considered.
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MEMORANDUM
TO Mary W Miley DATE. 1/24/80 PAGE: 2
FROM Peter M. Chalpin SUBJECT' School Street
Both of these streets, over a period of time, have come to be used as
something they were not intended to be. Serious traffic problems at Marrett
Road and Mass Avenue, and on Bedford Street have resulted in a ripple effect
being felt on School Street and Wilson Road. The majority of the Committee
does not see a problem at this time on either street, beyond the fact that
School Street is over capacity. However, we believe that prohibiting turns
at Wilson Road will cause another ripple effect, which will, in our judge-
ment, create a problem at the Five Forks Similarly, if requested to ban
turns onto School Street, we would recommend against, because this would only
create a problem at another location
The ultimate solution to this dilemma we believe is the widening of
Marrett Road, from Rte 128 to Old Mass Avenue, and the construction of the
Hartwell Avenue Connector. Completion of these projects will eliminate the
reasons that traffic is seeking alternate routes and, in addition, should
solve other problems, such as the Minute Man School situation.
For your information, we have enclosed a copy of the report from the
accident to which Mr. Koehn referred.
Those in attendance
Peter M. Chalpin
Chief Corr
Robert Trask
pmc/w
enclosure
cc Town Manager
Traffic Safety Committee
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