HomeMy WebLinkAbout2008-05-27-TMG-minTraffic Mitigation Group Meeting
May 27, 2008
Present: Richard Canale, Elaine Dratch, Jeanne Krieger, Jerry Van Hook, Christine
McVay, Arthur Smith, Gail Wagner, Susan Yanofsky. Guest: Richard Thuma
Wood Street Traffic Presented by Richard Thuma
➢ Mr. Thuma, Wood Street resident, feels AM one -hour and PM one -hour
commuter traffic merits town mitigation efforts, especially since Hartwell
business density is likely to be increased at 2009 Town Meeting. Mr. Thuma
wanted to understand the Town's process in reviewing and implementing traffic
mitigation in Hartwell Ave /Wood Street area.
➢ Mr. Thuma views Wood Street as unique due to unusual circumstances: sole
access for twelve streets with no alternative street outlet; presence of Katandin
Woods Apartments comprised of 300 units. Speeding during non - commute hours
and lack of Police presence were also noted.
➢ All agreed there was no one solution to the traffic situation for the Hartwell Ave/
Wood Street area that also experiences significant cut - through, commute traffic.
A number of ideas were generated.
➢ Town Traffic Calming Policy under development will serve as assessment tool.
➢ Police presence increased.
➢ Public transportation improvements including MBTA and Lexpress.
➢ Employers need to support traffic mitigation efforts to get people out of cars:
MBTA passes for employees; shuttle buses from points North generating most
commuter traffic.
➢ Flex -time promoted.
➢ Bicycle support via lane markings. Innovative program of loaning or sharing
bikes, "zip bikes."
➢ Limit turning movements onto Wood Street during peak commute hours.
➢ Planning Board will host a community meeting to discuss traffic in the Hartwell
Ave /Wood Street area on June 18.
Traffic Calming Polio
➢ Traffic Safety Advisory Committee (TSAC) is in primary implementation role.
➢ Objective criteria needed for assessment process.
➢ Staff duties need clarification.
➢ Traffic calming documents from Brookline, Lynn and Lexington Engineering
were raised as examples. Lexington document will be scanned and distributed.
➢ Funding source needed. Private money was suggested. A private funding model
was raised that would charge a neighborhood double for traffic calming expenses
so that the matching funds would pay for a neighborhood without private funding
capacity. Sudbury is using CPA funds for sidewalks.
Parking Regulations Workshop
➢ Barbara Lucas and Jim Gallagher of the Boston Metropolitan Planning Office are
to facilitate a parking regulations workshop for the Planning Board and TMG.
➢ Topics to include Center parking and commercial development.
Next TMG meeting, June 24, Town Offices - Room 111, 9 :3 Dam.
Minutes submitted by Gail Wagner, Transportation Services, June 11, 2008