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News/Events - Meeting Minutes

MEMBERS PRESENT: Linda L. Barich, Chairman; Dorothy Cook; Paul Scott; John Murphy. ALSO PRESENT: Paul Reidy, Board of Selectmen Liaison; Brian Stewart, Scituate Police Department; William F. Limbacher, Planning Board Liaison.

1. Chairman Linda Barich CALLED THE MEETING TO ORDER at approximately 7:10 P.M. in the copy/coffee room of the Town Hall.

2. ACCEPTANCE OF MINUTES. On a MOTION by Mr. Scott, SECONDED by Ms. Cook, the Minutes of the Meeting of October 1, 2003 were accepted unanimously (1 not present, 1 abstaining from vote due to absence at October meeting).

3. REVIEW OF CORRESPONDENCE. Regarding the North Scituate Business District Parking Lot: A letter was received by Mr. Myron Boluch of Country Way in response to the previous letter to him sent by the TRRC. Mr. Scott said there is about 26 feet of width a the entrance to the parking area, and there is enough width to put entrance and egress arrows on the road. Mr. Mike Breen also responded to a previous memo reiterating Mr. Scott’s comments. Mr. Scott suggested sending a memo to Mr. Breen saying that it is appropriate to put a center line with entrance and egress arrows in this area, and that Mr. Wood and Mr. Scott will accompany him to the site before work beginsA MOTION was made by Mr. Scott and SECONDED by Mr. Murphy to send this memo; all present were in favor. A copy of this memo will be sent to Mr. Boluch.

Regarding St. Mary’s Intersection, a letter was circulated from Mr. Robert Nadeau of 28 Inner Harbor Road saying that speeding and disobeying current signs is the real culprit in the problems at this intersection. Mr. Scott suggested sending a letter to thank Mr. Nadeau for his input, and that many issues the TRRC deals with are ones of enforcement; the Committee is looking into the matter further. Ms. Barich said that the Board of Selectmen had requested that we contact the group that did the previous traffic study of the area and ask whether they still feel that a two-way stop is appropriate to the area. Mr. Stewart added that traffic is a real problem everywhere, people are not obeying the rules of the road. He also said that with the arrival of the train, a signal would probably be installed at the intersection and that it would be nice if some of the streetscape money could be spent on the signal. Mr. Nadeau also mentions the lack of speed zone signs in the Harbor; Mr. Scott recalled that Mr. Wood had mentioned this at a previous TRRC meeting. People are coming out of the Harbor up Front Street at much higher speeds than that posted. Mr. Stewart suggested setting up a police survey of the area in the next two weeks to check speeds. Mr. Scott said that a couple of speed zone signs should be posted before a survey is conducted. Mr. Murphy asked if there is a way to warn people that it is a three-way stop, because it is confusing to non-resident drivers. And that perhaps there is a way to show who has the right of way at the intersection. A discussion ensued regarding ways to color-code signage at the stop signs to show who has the right of way. Mr. Scott said he will check the manuals to see if such signage exists. Mr. Scott suggested sending a memo to Mr. Mike Breen requesting a survey of the entire length of Front Street regarding the number and placement of speed zone signs, to ensure that there is sufficient signage as the SPD wish to do traffic enforcement in the area shortly; if he needs assistance, he can contact Officer Wood. A MOTION was made by Mr. Scott, SECONDED by Ms. Cook, to send the memo; all present were in favor. The memo will be copied to the Town Administrator. Mr. Stewart said that the Town of Marshfield had purchased a radar sign for about $17,000 to track speed, traffic volume, and time of day. Mr. Stewart said that this would be useful in such a situation as the St. Mary’s intersection. There was agreement that this would be beneficial to the town.

Regarding School Zone Signage, the signs have been put up.

4. NEW PLANS SUBMITTED FOR REVIEW.
A) LIGHTHOUSE ROAD. Has been approved.
B) OCEANSIDE VILLAGE. The TRRC reviewed the plans for the proposed 250-unit development. A copy of a memo from the Proving Grounds Group stated that there are 841 parking spaces (428 enclosed, 413 outdoor) planned for the development. Mr. Scott suggested that the ZBA be advised that the applicant’s traffic engineer should provide an outline of the scope of study they intend to make to determine the traffic impact that the development as proposed would have on this community. The outline must be reviewed by the TRRC for its completeness and approved by the TRRC before any major anaylsis is done by the applicant’s traffic engineer. The TRRC should also advise the ZBA that funds should be obtained from the applicant to conduct a peer review of all traffic impact studies that are generated for this project. This memo is to be copied to the Town Administrator and Staff, and to the Planning Board. Mr. Limbacher said we should suggest having a peer review done by the Town to check the study. He also suggested that the ZBA should be prepared to hire a traffic expert to conduct a peer review. There was discussion of who should be hired.
C) UNION STREET STORAGE BUILDINGS. The TRRC reviewed the plans
submitted for the self-storage facility being proposed. One two-story office building of 1680 square feet is planned for the facility. There is also a one-story carpentry shop in the plans. A discussion ensued regarding peak times of use at a storage facility. Members of the committee noted a lack of adequate parking; Selectman Reidy noted that the handicapped accessible space is located incorrectly. Mr. Murphy noted that the width of the travelway behind the storage buildings does not appear to be wide enough to accommodate emergency vehicles. There was concern about the other two facilities on site as well as the impact that this facility will have on abutting intersections. It was agreed that the TRRC will request a traffic impact analysis be done of the area, and that handicapped parking access and lack of space for emergency vehicles are inadequate.

5. OLD BUSINESS.
A), B), C), D) It was agreed that these issues would be looked at at the next TRRC meeting, since Mr. Wood was absent from this meeting.
E) 188 KENT STREET. Mr. Scott reported that following a site visit, it appears that the resident backs out of her driveway, so that the fence makes it difficult for her to see up the road. Mr. Scott suggested sending a letter saying that members of the TRRC viewed the area in question, and that it is the feeling of these members that there is adequate stopping site distance for vehicles using Kent Street. The letter will continue, we would recommend for vehicles exiting her property that they exit the property driving forward rather than backing out, for their own safety. It has been our experience that Blind Drive signs are not effective to ensure safety. There was a discussion about the excessive number of signs in town. Mr. Stewart commented that there are too many, and that there should be a review of the signs in town and an assessment made of how many are required.

Regarding Harbor Heights Road, members noted that no action seems to have been taken regarding the obstructive bush on the corner of Front Street, in front of the Shell Station. Mr. Scott suggested preparing a memo for the Board of Selectmen to send to the owners of the Shell Station, stating that it has come to their attention that a shrub at the corner of the property is in violation of a Town bylaw (check and quote) and that we request that the shrub be removed, with an attachment of the TRRC’s previous memo on the subject. Mr. Reidy offered to forward the letter and memo to the Board of Selectmen.

6) NEW BUSINESS. Ms. Barich received a phone call requesting a Turkey Crossing sign on Maple Street near the corner of Grove Street. Mr. Scott suggested referring the caller to the Highway Division of the DPW.

Ms Phippen brought in plans from the MBTA with proposed mitigation for the corner of Henry Turner Bailey Road and Route 3A. She said that the MBTA said that a survey from 1997 showed that there is no need for a traffic signal, and that they have said that traffic density being the same now, there is still no need for a traffic signal; there is a three way flashing light there currently. Ms. Phippen said they will create a three way T intersection, widening 3A southbound and creating a left turn lane. Mr. Scott said that 3A is a state highway so that they would have to pay for a signal if it is later installed. Mr. Scott asked if there has been a gap analysis, and Ms. Phippen said there has not been. The speed limit is to be reduced to 35 mph. There was general agreement that a traffic light is warranted. Ms. Phippen asked for comments from the TRRC. A discussion took place about how much more it would cost to operate a traffic signal than having the conduit installed (which the MBTA has proposed to do). Mr. Scott said that traffic analysis and gap analysis is necessary to know what is in order for this intersection. He said that the state should require it. Mr. Scott said he would like to see a copy of the new traffic analysis referred to in the MBTA document, although Ms. Phippen said that it is not a recent study. Ms. Barich said that the new plans are an improvement, but they are not quite there yet.

Ms. Barich also received a letter from Eileen Glaven regarding the intersection of routes 123 and 3A, coming down 123 as you approach the intersection. Mr. Stewart recalled that this issue was first brought up two years ago. Ms. Barich said Ms. Glaven wishes to see a left turn arrow painted on the pavement. It was agreed to send her a letter thanking her, and agreeing with her concerns; however, Route 3A and its adjoining intersections is a state highway under the jurisdiction of the Mass Highway Dept, District 5, Taunton, MA. The letter will continue that we recommend that she correspond with Mr. Bernard McCourt, chief engineer, and send copies to Rep. Hynes and Sen. Hedlund, as they may be able to assist her.

7. ADJOURNMENT. The next meeting of the TRRC will be on January 7, 2004. On a MOTION by Mr. Murphy, SECONDED by Ms. Cook, the meeting was ADJOURNED at approximately 9:35 P.M.

Respectfully submitted,

Jean Martin