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News/Events - Meeting Minutes

MEMBERS PRESENT: Dorothy M. Cook, Chairperson; Art Wood; Tom Nash; Al Elliott; Paul Scott. ALSO PRESENT: Mark Fenton, Planning Board Liaison; Paul Reidy, Board of Selectmen Liaison; Nick Carstoiu, 1st and 2nd Cliff Beach Association; Lisa Fenton, Scituate resident.

1. Chairperson Dorothy Cook called the meeting to order at 7:07 PM in the copy/coffee room at Town Hall.

Ms. Cook suggested taking the agenda out of order, and all were agreeable to this.

Lisa Cronin Smith, 3 Chesterton Park asked about parking on Hatherly Road for 20-25 vehicles during a backyard wedding this upcoming weekend. Mr. Wood and Ms. Cook suggested directing this question to the Police Chief, perhaps leaving him a voicemail regarding this.

Ms. Cook welcomed Mr. Elliott as the new Fire Department representative to the TRRC.

5. NEW BUSINESS i. Bridge Avenue/Edward Foster Road/Peggotty Beach Road Intersection. Mr. Fenton recounted the history of the neighborhood request for improvements to be made to the roadways during the sewer installation at First and Second Cliff. The Neighborhood Association communicated with Weeston and Sampson Engineers to see what could be done at no extra cost to the Town. Mr. Fenton reviewed the proposed improvements:
1. intersection of Peggotty Beach Road and Crescent Road: the proposal calls for squaring off the corner of Peggotty Beach and Crescent Ave. Mr. Wood said that the Town’s Traffic Rules and Regulations should be checked for one-way and two-way systems in that area. Mr. Fenton said that suggested changes to the curbing were supported by neighbors.
2. intersection of Bridge Avenue and Crescent Ave: Mr. Fenton said the neighborhood association supported the alteration on the northerly corner but saw no reason for the one on the southerly corner; Mr. Wood suggested that the narrowing of the roadway is to help reduce speeds of vehicles turning the corner and heading along Crescent Avenue. The request was to install appropriate signage.
3. intersection of Bridge Avenue/ Edward Foster Road /Peggotty Beach Road: Mr. Fenton said that neighborhood reactions to the proposal were somewhat contentious in that one resident opposed the proposed change to the Edward Foster Road/Peggotty Beach Road corner. Edward Foster Road southbound and Peggotty Beach Road northbound are stopped. Ms. Cook read a letter from John and Kathleen Hillman of 64 Edward Foster Road saying that they oppose the proposed reconfiguration of Edward Foster Road in that the current configuration works and has not caused any accidents; and that the proposed changes would cause safety concerns. Mr. Fenton said the concern is that sight distance down Bridge Avenue would be reduced. An intersection of 25 foot radius would accommodate most large vehicles but not large articulated vehicles, which would have to swing out to clear the corner; and vehicles such as this will likely be going to the Scituate Marine Park marina and boatyard in the future. Mr. Fenton said that a suggestion had been made to create a four-way stop. He said that the vote at the Planning Board meeting for the proposed changes was 12 against, 8 in favor, and then later 12 more phoned in in favor, so that there was not a real consensus. Ms. Cook said she would have concerns about the sight distance on Bridge Avenue. Mr. Wood said that realistically regrading would be the best solution, but this is not within the purview. Mr. Fenton said that the neighborhood fully supported the recurbing on Edward Foster Road/Peggotty Beach Road. Mr. Scott said that he would rather see the sidewalk improved from St. Mary’s along to Peggotty Beach Road rather than making all of the proposed changes. He said that he can see the Hillmans’ point about the change of traffic on Edward Foster Road that would bring it to Bridge Avenue. Mr. Wood said that he agreed with the squaring off of the Edward Foster Road /Peggotty Beach Road corner. Mr. Fenton said that there had been some support for moving the stop line on Edward Foster Road north and stopping Bridge Avenue northerly rather than reconfiguring the portion of Edward Foster Road near the Special Needs park. Mr. Scott said that the resurfacing of the roads in the area will not be finalized until next spring. Mr. Carstoiu said that there are more cars now and people drive faster, and that this creates more potential for accidents; and that the Edward Foster Road portion is an accident waiting to happen. Mr. Wood said that this has been discussed for perhaps five years and that he would like to see something that slows traffic by design. Ms. Cook asked if the TRRC would like to make a recommendation at this time. Mr. Elliott brought up the possibility of stopping traffic on Bridge Avenue. Mr. Scott said that stop signs are not to control speed but for sight distance issues; and that he would only support stopping Bridge Avenue if the Edward Foster Road reconfiguration was done. Mr. Scott said that the grinding and paving will begin on October 1.

Mr. Wood made a MOTION to endorse the proposed redesign of the Crescent Ave/Peggotty Beach Road intersection as presented including signage; Mr. Elliott SECONDED the motion; all were in favor and the motion passed 5-0.

Mr. Wood made a MOTION to endorse the proposed redesign of the Crescent Ave/ Bridge Avenue intersection as presented; Mr. Elliott SECONDED the motion; all were in favor and the motion passed 5-0.

Edward Foster Road/ Peggotty Beach Road/Bridge Avenue: Mr. Scott suggested deferring action on the Edward Foster Road reconfiguration and revisit it in the spring, or in the future if and when traffic to the Scituate Marine Park marina increases. He also said that he thinks the other proposed changes will slow traffic in the area, and that he supports those changes. Ms. Fenton said that safety for children walking to school is an issue, and that it is an issue of safety or convenience. Mr. Fenton pointed out that this is an opportunity to make $30,000 worth of changes for $2000. Mr. Elliott said that a stop sign would be needed at Bridge Avenue if the intersection was reconfigured. Ms. Cook suggested creating a one-way system with the current sweep of Edward Foster Road one way northerly and the Bridge Avenue piece one way easterly. Mr. Fenton said that the geometry of the “sweep” would have to be changed to perpendicular.

Mr. Wood made a MOTION to endorse the design as laid out on the southwest corner of Edward Foster Road/Peggotty Beach Road; the motion was SECONDED by Mr. Nash; all voted in favor and the motion passed 5-0. It was agreed to defer a recommendation on the Edward Foster Road/Bridge Avenue portion.

2. Approval of the June minutes was tabled. Mr. Nash made a MOTION to accept the August 1, 2007 Minutes as written; Mr. Wood SECONDED the motion; all were in favor and the motion passed 3-0.

3. Review of Correspondence. Ms. Cook read a memo from Police Chief dated 9/4 requesting the following isolated stop signs be added to Schedule 5 of the Town of Scituate Traffic Regulations:

Street Stopped Direction of Travel At Intersection

Stockbridge Road East The Driftway
Stockbridge Road Southwest The Driftway
The Driftway North Stockbridge Road

Mr. Scott made a MOTION to amend Schedule 5/Isolated Stop Signs of the Town’s Traffic Rules and Regulations as requested by the Police Chief; Mr. Nash SECONDED the motion, all voted in favor and the motion passed 5-0.

Ms. Cook circulated a memo regarding the increase in various parking fines. She also circulated a memo regarding the expenditure of funds on parking regulation signage related to the MBTA stations. Mr. Wood asked about whether sidewalks at Greenbush are in compliance with ADA regulations. Mr. Scott suggested contacting the CoD regarding this.

ii. No Turn on Red/Hatherly-Turner Road. Mr. Wood had received a citizen request whether all corners are No Turn on Red and if all the signage is up. Mr. Wood said he will make a site visit.

iii. Four Way Stop/Humarock. This agenda item was tabled until the October meeting to allow Mr. Wood and Mr. Scott to conduct a site visit.

Mr. Nash will report regarding safety issues on MBTA and publicity at the October TRRC meeting.

The next TRRC meeting was scheduled for Tuesday October 2.

6. Mr. Wood made a MOTION to adjourn the meeting at 8:45 PM, Mr. Nash SECONDED the motion, all were in favor and the motion passed 5-0.

Respectfully submitted,

Jean Martin