HomeMy WebLinkAbout1982-10-13-TSC-min-allen.pdf (`�ofun of Trxingtare Aresttrhu5etts
MEMORANDUM
/ To: Alfred S. Busa, Chairman
DATE: 10/18/82 PAGE: 1
Board of Selectmen .�EL e:TyM EI
FROM: Peter M. Chalpin, Chairman SUBJECT: Allen Street
Traffic Safety Comanittee`.. ` Traffic
•
At its meeting of October 13, 1982 the Traffic Safety Committee
net with a number of residents of the Blossomcxest Road area regarding their
request for an extension of the school bus route now servicing the Franklin
School. They had presented a signed petition and supporting verbal arguments
which served to underscore their opinion that Allen Street, between Blossom--
crest and the FranklinSchook, presents a dangerous path for their children
who walk to Franklin. This, they suggested, is especially acute in the area
of #56 Allen Street where the roadway narrows and curves sharply. It was
further noted that this portion of Allen Street is without sidewalks.
On consideration of School Department policy regarding bussing of
elementary students who reside one mile, or more, from the school, (except
under extraordinary conditions not here material) , the Committee addressed
the matter from the point-of-view of the walking student only.
The Committee explained that only one accident has been recorded on
this section of Allen Street in the last five and one-half years. Further,
the Committee explained that the police department had monitoxed traffic
conditions at #56 on two recent occasions: First, on October 12 between
3:00 and 4:00 pm, and again on October 13 between 8:00 and 9:00 am, During
} this combined period, eighteen vehicles were observed travelling on Allen
Street. Of these, seventeen were registered in the names of residents of
this immediate area thus lending support to the cozrmittee F s position that
the traffic using Allen Street during these hours is local in nature and not
"through" traffic. Accordingly, these drivers should be familiar with, the
geometries of Allen Street.
The Committee shares the concern of the petitioners for the safety of
their children walking along Allen Street to and from the school. This road
is, in certain areas, narrow and winding, and there is no sidewalk. The ap-
proximate distance from Allen Street at Blossormcrest Road is five tenths of
one mile. However, there exists an alternative walking route, i.e. down
Biossomcrest to Waltham Street to Allen Street, which is one tenth of one mile
longer. In this case, sidewalks are available. Captain Lima of the police
department offered to provide an escort by the safety officer on a first-day
basis, provided the petitioners found this route acceptable. They did not find
this route acceptable. Captain Lima inquired, hypothetically, if a school bus
were provided on Waltham Street, at the foot of Blossomcrest Road, would this
be acceptable? They did not find this acceptable. In effect, the petitioners
rejected reasonable alternatives.
In conclusion, the Committee is unable to identify Allen Street, between
Blossomcrest Road and the Franklin School, as being "unsafe and dangerous"..
This is not to say that there is no potential for danger, because there is.
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•
MEMORANDUM
To: Alfred S. Busa •
DATE: 10/18/82 PAGE: 2
FROM: Peter M. Chalpin
SUBJECT: Allen Street Traffic
However, similar potential dangers exist on every street. Of course,
the degxoc is more severe in some areas, as identified by the accident
experience there. The Committee unanimously agreed that while Allen
Street has a potential for danger, a reasonable alternative walking
route is available which would circumvent the area in question. This
alternative walking route is approximately six tenths of one mile long
and within the "one mile" walking distance.
Those in attendance: Peter M. Chalpin, Chairman
Capt. James J. Lima
Mr. Robert Trask
Mr. Eric Clarke
Mr. Richard Michelson
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enclosure
cc: Robert M. Hutchinson, Town Manager
Traffic Safety Committee
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