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HomeMy WebLinkAboutTraffic Safety Work Group Minutes January 4, 2011_201402041317181737Traffic Safety Work Group Minutes of the meeting of 4 January 2011. The meeting took place in the Town Building Conference Room, 16 Broad Street, Nantucket, MA 02554. Members of the Work Group present were Transportation Planner Mike Burns, Jack Gardner, Arthur Gasbarro, Fire Chief Mark McDougall, Executive Assistant to the Town Manager Erika Mooney, Department of Public Works (DPW) Assistant Director Mohamed Nabulsi, Police Chief William Pittman and Commission on Disability Chair Mickey Rowland. Ms. Mooney called the meeting to order at 9:58 AM. I. APPROVAL OF MINUTES 1. Approval of minutes of November 2, 2010. The minutes of November 2, 2010 were approved by the unanimous consent of the meeting. II. NEW BUSINESS 2. Discuss possible sites for potential additional street vendor in Sconset. Dave Bartlett of Bartlett’s Farm was present and noted he would like to have a produce truck in Sconset from Memorial Day through Labor Day, five to six days a week from 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM, either in the Sconset Square or on New Street by the Casino/Chanticleer. He added that he has not spoken with the Sconset Civic Association, and that his mother used to have a produce truck in Sconset in the 1960’s. A discussion followed among Work Group members on the possible parking areas and concerns over traffic safety. The Work Group indicated it might be inclined to recommend an area on the north side of Main Street just west of the NRTA bus stop, but that it would like to see the area. Mr. Burns offered to develop a map of the Sconset Square outlining the proposed parking area, and Mr. Gasbarro offered to photograph the Sconset Square area as well as New Street. Chief Pittman suggested that input be requested from the Sconset Civic Association. Once the map and photos are received, Ms. Mooney will email them to the group for review. This matter was continued for further information to the next meeting. 1. Review potential on-street parking issues in Macys Lane. Macys Lane resident Norm Smith explained that he has concerns over access to his driveway as abutting parkers are making it difficult. Mr. Gasbarro noted that Macys Lane was taken as a County road and is part of the bike path network and he recommends no parking on wither side of the road. He added from a safety point of view there is not enough room for on-street parking, two-way traffic and a bike route. Mr. Nabulsi stated he is not in favor of eliminating parking on Macys Lane and Traffic Safety should be looking at the specific issue at hand. Discussion among Work Group members followed. Mr. Gardner noted that when the bike path was built, no parking on one side of Macys Lane was discussed. Chief Pittman agreed, noting that the proposal was not supported by the Board of Selectmen at that time. Further discussion followed. Mr. Burns said that many issues raised by Mr. Smith are zoning issues and need to be addressed with the Zoning Enforcement Officer. Chief Pittman suggested Traffic Safety recommend posting the area across from Mr. Smith as no parking then continue the discussion of limited parking on Macys Lane at a future meeting. The Work Group was in consensus with Chief Pittman’s recommendation. 3. Review Taxi Advisory Committee’s Requests Regarding Taxi Stands. The Work Group reviewed a memo from the Taxi Advisory Committee (TAC) requesting that a former taxi stand on New Whale Street be restored and a new taxi stand be created in the mid-island area. Regarding the mid-island area, Chief Pittman noted that by all purposes the taxis work at the Chicken Box on Dave Street already, and he said he feels the TAC needs to be more specific in its request. The Work Group agreed. Regarding a taxi stand on New Whale Street, Chief Pittman said that stand was eliminated because taxis were lining up on New Whale Street beyond the designated stand area, and blocking on-coming traffic. Discussion followed. The consensus of the Work Group was to recommend no action be taken on the New Whale Street request. 4. Review of Technical Memorandum – Alternative Traffic Control Analysis – Surfside Road at Bartlett Road. Mr. Burns reviewed the Technical Memorandum regarding the intersection of Surfside Road at Bartlett Road, noting that the intersection has the most traffic crashes. He stated that consulting firm Greenman-Pedersen, Inc. conducted a study to evaluate the intersection and recommends a traffic circle in that area but that the least costly recommendation is an all-way stop. Mr. Burns noted that he is in favor of an all-way stop. Mr. Gardner and Mr. Rowland voiced their support for Mr. Burns’ recommendation. Mr. Gasbarro said he is in favor of “Figure 2” from the Memorandum to realign the bike path and improve pedestrian crossing as a first step, adding that a second step could be the addition of an all-way stop. Mr. Nabulsi said he is not in favor of stop signs on Surfside Road. Chief Pittman said he feels the traffic congestion is bad in that area, there is a traffic safety issue with the bike path and there is a need for bringing the path closer to the road for better visibility. He said he supports “Figure 2” with an all-way stop. Following discussion the consensus of the Work Group is to recommend reconfiguring the bike path as shown in “Figure 2” of the Greenman-Pedersen, Inc. Technical Memorandum with an all-way stop. III. OLD BUSINESS None. The meeting was adjourned at 10:59 AM. Approved the 10th day of February, 2011.