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News/Events - Meeting Minutes

MEMBERS PRESENT: Linda L. Barich, Chairman; Dorothy Cook; Paul Scott, Arthur Wood; John Murphy. ALSO PRESENT: Paul Reidy, Board of Selectmen Liaison; Ann Burbine, Planning Board Liaison; Susan Phippen, MBTA Ombudsman.

1. Chairman Linda Barich CALLED THE MEETING TO ORDER at approximately 7:05 P.M. in the Selectmen’s Meeting Room of the Town Hall.

2. ACCEPTANCE OF MINUTES. On a MOTION by Ms. Cook, SECONDED by Mr. Wood, the Minutes of the Meeting of July 6, 2004 were accepted unanimously. On a MOTION by Mr. Murphy, SECONDED by Mr. Wood, the Minutes of the Meeting of August 3, 2004 were accepted unanimously.

3. There was no new correspondence to review at this time.

4. There were no new plans submitted for review in this time period (July 29- September 1, 2004).

5. OLD BUSINESS. Items (A), (B), and (C) were deferred until the October meeting.

6. NEW BUSINESS. Regarding the proposed MBTA Roundabout on Route 3A at the intersection of Route 123, Mr. Scott said that this roundabout first came up for discussion ten years ago; in 1998 Mass Highway approved it; why has it taken this long. Ms. Phippen said that this information was not shared with the Town for a variety of reasons. Mr. Scott said that in 1998 it seemed conclusive that the roundabout was agreed upon; he is wondering if Mass Highway has some problems with this, which would explain the delay. Ms. Phippen said that a roundabout is in the MBTA mitigation agreement. Mr. Scott said a two-lane approach was originally in the plans; it is still a one lane approach; Ms. Phippen said that the study was based on a one-lane approach. Mr. Scott and Ms. Phippen reviewed a document regarding signalization; Mr. Scott said that he does not buy the reasons the MBTA presented against signalization, that the backup of traffic on Route 3A would be unacceptable and that it would delay traffic during off peak periods. Ms. Barich said that she finds the plans presented to be confusing; Ms. Cook concurred. Ms. Phippen explained some of the points on the plans. She said that there will be a stop sign on Old Oaken Bucket, which everyone agreed would be helpful. All entries to the roundabout are single roads. Mr. Wood said that traffic will be forced to slow before entry into the roundabout. Ms. Cook asked about the speed limit; Ms. Phippen said that it will be reduced to 40 mph on either side of Route 3A. Ms. Barich asked how wide across the center is; Ms. Phippen said 130. Mr. Murphy asked about pedestrian traffic; Ms. Phippen pointed out where the crosswalks are, and that a pedestrian will have to stop to continue across. There will be no pedestrian stoplights although signs will be present.
Ms. Phippen said that the level of service will be A in the morning, C/D in the evenings. Mr. Scott said that two different computer modeling techniques have been used in the research; this accounts for the different level of service readings. He said that anything above a D is acceptable, although you don’t like to see it; Ms. Phippen said that it is currently an F. Mr. Scott said that Don Cooke will have to be asked about the different modules used and if the difference is significant. He said that in the 1998 analysis, level of service and cost were cited as the benefits of a roundabout. He said that he wonders if, now that the design has changed, is there a significant difference; are we sacrificing safety for cost? Mr. Wood said that his understanding is that overall the difference isn’t much. Mr. Murphy asked about possible backups on The Driftway caused by the roundabout and the Dunkin’ Donuts. Ms. Phippen said someone asked her about the distance between the roundabout and the parking lot; Mr. Wood said that he estimated 40 to 50 car lengths. Ms. Phippen said that the current backups are due largely to the closure of the bridge. Ms. Phippen said that 1100 cars will be parked at Greenbush; 320 at North Scituate. Ms. Barich said that the current roundabout plan seems much better than the previous plan. Ms. Barich asked about land taking; Ms. Phippen said that there is none. Mr. Scott said that in 1933 the layout allowed for a rotary, which was never constructed. Mr. Scott asked about a presentation made with videos; he would like to see where there is a roundabout that functions well that has a similar density to the one that is proposed; Ms. Phippen said that there isn’t one, but perhaps there is one in Great Britain. Ms. Phippen said that it is in a historic district, and she read from a document from the project conservator regarding conservation; comments included suggestions to reduce signage. Mr. Scott said that signage is necessary to keep the flow of traffic. He said that in Duxbury there are more than 70 signs in a smaller area. Ms. Phippen said that the Streetscapes Committee has asked that a sidewalk be included on both sides of Country Way; she said that there is not enough space for a sidewalk on both sides. The sidewalk is currently located for ADA compliance. Ms. Barich asked how we should proceed. Mr.. Scott said that our response should be of a general nature. He said that the memo should include the following: given the redesign of a one-lane approach, is the level of service of this design comparable to or better than the level of service with a signalized intersection concept; with regard to level of service, explain the significance of the two methodologies used, in that the SIDRA analysis seems to provide for a higher level of service than the Highway Capacity Manual approach, and should the town be concerned, as we note that the HCM has one level of service functioning at F; regarding cost effectiveness, are we sacrificing safety in order to construct amore cost effective solution, as safety has been of paramount concern to the TRRC from the very beginning of our review of this project; regarding public safety, there appears to be sufficient room for emergency vehicles, but does the roundabout become inoperable in the event of an accident within the perimeter of the roundabout. Mr. Scott said that Police Chief Stewart had raised concerns about the single lane and difficulties should an emergency arise. Ms. Phippen said that it is a 20 foot travel lane and a 10 foot shoulder. Ms. Cook asked if people will begin to double up as the lane is so wide. Mr. Murphy said that the ten foot shoulder provided for should be sufficient should an emergency arise. Mr. Scott said that if the roundabout is designed and constructed correctly it should be sufficient for access by emergency vehicles. He said that the center is nonmountable, a curb of some height will be constructed. Mr. Wood asked if a ramp could be constructed on the center; Mr. Scott said that they don’t want to make it possible for anyone to cut through. There was a discussion about the number of signs, Mr. Scott asked has anyone counted them. Ms. Phippen said that she has not. There was a discussion about the Duxbury roundabout and why it doesn’t function very well. Mr. Wood said that it is because people do not stop or slow down entering the roundabout.

Regarding Traffic Issues/N. Scituate and Greenbush Train Stations, Ms. Phippen said that the biggest concern will be people parking in neighboring streets to avoid the $2 parking fee. She said that the three parking spaces in front of the bank at N. Scituate will be eliminated. Also, three spaces of head-in parking next to Mary Lou’s on Country Way will be eliminated. The intersection of Country Way and Booth Hill Road will be closed temporarily soon. Ms. Phippen said that there will not be quad gates, that reconfigured roads with two gates is safer based on the studies they looked at. She said that the Egypt intersection with the tracks is being reconfigured, in that the intersection of Captain Pierce Road and Curtis Road will become a T. Mr. Scott said that the median barriers have been shortened to about 60 feet, from 100 feet previously proposed. Ms. Phippen said that over 1100 feet of medians that can be landscaped will be created. Ms. Barich asked that the Beautification Committee be reminded of the permissible height of plantings. Ms. Phippen said in the North Scituate area that no parking and limited parking zones are being requested, and that Booth Hill Road and Mordecai Lincoln Road have been requested to be made one way. Ms. Barich asked what would keep people commuting from parking in the N. Scituate Business District Municipal lot; Ms. Phippen said that signage and enforcement should work. Mr. Wood asked about the width of the N. Scituate intersection; Ms. Phippen said that it will be pulled in a bit so it won’t be so wide. Mr. Wood said that currently it is too wide for pedestrians to be able to cross safely. Ms. Phippen said that there will be a total of 390 parking spaces in two parking areas in the N. Scituate train station area. Ms. Phippen said she would like parking zones to be established prior to the opening of the train stations. Ms. Cook said that Booth Hill Road should be made no parking. Mr. Scott said that we should have the signage and pavement marking proposals in order to make the determination. Ms. Phippen said that there are two plans for the North Scituate area, Country Way grade crossing and parking plans, and that you need to look at them both. There are also two plans for the Greenbush area: the bridge plan and the train station plan. Mr. Scott said that he will get the signage and pavement marking proposals for the next meeting, and make copies of all the relevant plans for TRRC members. Mr. Scott said that if we look at what they are planning for parking areas, and what is currently in place on side streets, we can determine what needs to be done. This item will be on the agenda for the next meeting. There was a discussion about annotating a map to make it easier to visualize. Mr. Scott asked how far outside the villages we should go, how far are people willing to walk. Mr. Wood said about ¼ mile. Mr. Scott said that he will also try to get aerial maps.

Regarding B), Mr. Reidy and Ms. Burbine arrived at the meeting for this discussion. Ms. Burbine said that she spoke with Father Jim Seymour at St. Mary’s; he estimated that 850 people attend four Sunday masses at St. Frances currently. He felt that based on past experience with Heritage Days and weddings that there will not be a problem with parking. He has requested that parishioners not park at Fleet Bank, and he is aware of people parking on both sides of Kent Street. Ms. Burbine said that he has asked that some reconfiguration be made in the existing parking lot. She said that the Planning Board will be addressing the issue of parking in the Harbor area, and that this matter will come up during these discussions. Mr. Reidy said that the parking situation and handicapped accessibility at St. Mary’s will be coming up at Board of Selectmen meeting. Ms. Burbine said that there is a finger of Cole Parkway near the Information Booth that St. Mary’s parishioners use for parking. Mr. Scott said that there are already parking issues in the St. Mary’s area. Ms. Burbine said there has always been an issue with parking in the Harbor. Mr. Scott said that there had been a parcel available behind the Bay Bank and the Town did not take it up as a parking area. Ms. Burbine mentioned land behind the Shell Station that had been considered for parking but that that land had never been available. She also said that at the existing Senior Center land could be converted to tiered parking when the new Senior Center is built. There was a discussion about parking garages, and that they require a lot of land. Mr. Reidy said that parking on both sides of Kent Street is a problem, Mr. Wood said that it would be better to have parking on one side of the street or the other but that there are drawbacks to this plan as well. Mr. Reidy asked about enforcement, and Mr. Wood said that it is difficult to ticket people who are going to church. He said that if one side of Kent Street is designated for parking, the side across from the church is better, although it necessitates parishioners crossing the road. Mr. Scott asked if there is any sense of how many St. Frances parishioners will be going to St. Mary’s and to St. Anthony’s, and if we can ask St. Frances to let us have the results of the poll they have taken. It was suggested to send a letter to St. Frances to ask for this information, before the parish closes on October 29. Mr. Reidy said that the matter will be coming up with the Board of Selectmen shortly. A letter is to be drafted saying that the TRRC has been asked to look at the impact of the transfer of parishioners and CCD program from St. Frances to St. Mary’s, regarding traffic/safety issues. The memo will be sent to both St. Mary’s Father Jim Seymour and St. Frances’ Father MacDonald. Ms. Burbine said that at confirmation classes in the evening at St. Mary’s, drop off and pickup is dangerous.

Regarding C), Mr. Wood said that he has not had a chance to do this, and that he will prepare something for the next meeting.

In other New Business, Ms. Barich said that she has had two calls, one about parking on Brunswick Street – Mr. Wood said that it is a private way, and that no no parking sign can be put up there. A letter will be sent to Mr. Ditullio, the citizen who requested this. The other call was about 319 Central Ave, residents are looking for a speed sign. Mr. Wood said that if it isn’t speed zoned, a sign can’t go up. A memo will be sent to the Highway Dept, attn: Mike Breen, asking him to check to see if there is a 30 mph speed sign at the split of Central Ave and Cliff Road on the Central Avenue side northerly direction, and that if there is not, please install one.

Ms. Burbine asked when the crosswalks in N. Scituate will be painted green. Mr. Wood brought up the fact that parking spaces at the Seaside Fun playground at the High School are being used by students. He said the Police Chief has asked that it be posted as playground parking only. A memo will be sent to the Principal of the High School requesting that she advise students and all school personnel that all parking spaces abutting the Seaside Fun playground are to be reserved for the use of people using the playground and to please take appropriate action; the TRRC will establish parking regulations with appropriate fines if this is not accomplished.

7. ADJOURNMENT. The next TRRC meeting will be held on Tuesday, October 5, to be confirmed. Following a MOTION to adjourn the meeting by Mr. Wood, SECONDED by Mr. Murphy, the meeting was ADJOURNED at 9:05 P.M.

Respectfully submitted,

Jean Martin