CITY OF WORCESTER

Traffic and Parking Committee Meeting

Wednesday, February 10, 2021

Esther Howland (South) Chamber

Convened: 4:00 P.M.

Adjourned: 5:46 P.M.


Mayor
Joseph M. Petty

 

www.worcesterma.gov

 

Clerk of the City Council
Nikolin Vangjeli

Committee Members

Chairperson Donna M Colorio
Vice Chairperson Sean M Rose
Councilor Morris A Bergman
 

City Hall - 455 Main Street Worcester, Massachusetts


Present Were:Chairperson Councilor Donna M Colorio Vice Chairperson Councilor Sean M Rose Councilor Morris A Bergman
 
Also:DPWP Director of Engineering Mark Elbag WPD Lieutenant Timothy Walsh City Clerk Nikolin Vangjeli, clerk
 
1.

Approval of the Minutes

1a.

Order - That the City Council Standing Committee of Traffic and Parking hereby approves the minutes of the Traffic and Parking Committee meeting of January 20, 2021.

View Agenda

Chairperson Councilor Colorio read the item and moved for a roll call vote to adopt the item.
Order adopted on a roll call vote of 3 Yeas and 0 Nays.

2.

Public Participation

2a.

In order to ensure the continuation of active public engagement, the City of Worcester will now use a phone conference line for members of the public to participate in all public meetings. To participate during the public participation phase of City Council, you may call the direct line indicated: Esther Howland Chamber - 415-655-000 (Access Code: 180 350 5733) or enter the below URL into your web browser. If you would like to raise your hand when in the meeting as a call-in user during public participation you may dial *3. https://cow.webex.com/cow/onstage/g.php?MTID=ea0c2096cc40f60ced0b1be198b2decbe

Attachments

Chairperson Councilor Colorio recognized the following speakers:
1. Reverend Johnnie Yelverton Jr., Worcester resident, spoke in favor of item #6a
2. Edith Morgan, Worcester resident, spoke in favor of item #7f
3. Nisha Jakhu, Burlington resident, spoke in favor of item #3a
4. Mark Jablonski, Worcester resident, spoke in favor of item #7f
5. Phil Cournoyer, Worcester resident, spoke in favor of item #7e
6. Toby Reiter, Worcester resident, spoke in favor of item #7a
7. Alex Lichtenberg, Worcester resident, spoke in favor of item #7a
8. Frank Pupillo, Worcester resident, spoke in favor of item #7c
9. Kathleen Napoli, Worcester resident, spoke in favor of item #7c

3.

Handicap Parking Petitions

3a.

Lola Brown request installation of a handicap parking space in front of 121 1/2 Eastern Ave. # 8j CC January 5, 2021

Attachments

Chairperson Councilor Colorio read the item and recognized the DPW Director of Engineering, who provided the recommendation to approve.

Chairperson Councilor Colorio moved for a roll call vote to accept the recommendation.

Recommend Approval on a roll call vote of 3 Yeas and 0 Nays

4.

Children Sign Petitions

4a.

Marissa Allen et al. request installation of signage alerting motorists of a hearing impaired child at 6 Benjamin Rd. # 8d CC January 5, 2021

Attachments

Chairperson Councilor Colorio read the item and moved to take the item up with item #8a.

Chairperson Councilor Colorio recognized the DPW Director of Engineering, who provided the recommendation to file the advisory signage request, and approval of the Dead End signage.

Chairperson Councilor Colorio recognized Councilor Bergman, who discussed traffic signage regarding hearing impairment with the DPW Director of Engineering.

Chairperson Councilor Colorio recognized Councilor Rose, who discussed installation of the signage.

Chairperson Councilor Colorio then discussed approval of the signage with Councilor Bergman.

Chairperson Councilor Colorio brought forth the following Chairman’s Order: Request City Manager request Commissioner of Public Works and Parks provide City Council with a report concerning any existing unconventional traffic signage in the city.

Chairperson Councilor Colorio recognized Councilor Rose, who concurred with Councilor Bergman regarding unconventional traffic signage.

Chairperson Councilor Colorio moved for a roll call vote to recommend the items be approved.

Recommend Approval on a roll call vote of 3 Yeas and 0 Nays

Chairman's Orders

Request City Manager request Commissioner of Public Works and Parks provide City Council with a report concerning any existing unconventional traffic signage in the city.

5.

No Parking Petitions

5a.

Jerry Oullette request installation of "No Parking Anytime" signage on the even side of Tainter St. # 8e CC November 17, 2020

Attachments

Chairperson Councilor Colorio read the item and recognized the DPW Director of Engineering, who provided a recommendation to hold, as the declared winter parking ban on the odd side of Tainter Street should be removed before installing “No Parking Anytime” on the even side of the street.

Chairperson Councilor Colorio brought forth the following Chairman’s Order: Request City Manager request Commissioner of Public Works and Parks remove the declared winter parking ban on the odd side of Tainter Street, South of Hammond Street.

Chairperson Councilor Colorio moved for a roll call vote to accept the recommendation.

Recommend Hold on a roll call vote of 3 Yeas and 0 Nays

Chairman's Orders

Request City Manager request Commissioner of Public Works and Parks remove the declared winter parking ban on the odd side of Tainter St., south of Hammond St.

6.

Resident Permit Parking Items

6a.

Carl Almonor request installation of resident permit parking on Patch St. # 8e CC January 5, 2021

Attachments

Chairperson Councilor Colorio read the item and recognized the DPW Director of Engineering, who provided a recommendation to approve.

Chairperson Councilor Colorio moved for a roll call vote to accept the recommendation.

Recommend Approval on a roll call vote of 3 Yeas and 0 Nays

7.

Stop Sign Petitions

7a.

Toby Reiter and Alexander Lichtenberg request installation of a four-way stop sign at the intersection of Austin St. and Oxford St. # 8i CC January 5, 2021

Attachments

Chairperson Councilor Colorio read the item and recognized the WPD Lieutenant, who discussed the actions taken concerning the stop sign pilot program on Clover Street and the impact of the pilot program.

Chairperson Councilor Colorio recognized Councilor Rose, who discussed the impact of the pilot program on complaints from residents in the area with the WPD Lieutenant.

Chairperson Councilor Colorio recognized Councilor Bergman, who spoke concerning the item.

Chairperson Councilor Colorio recognized the DPW Director of Engineering, who provided the recommendation to hold, as further traffic study including crash history analysis needs to be done at the location.

Chairperson Councilor Colorio recognized Councilor Bergman, who discussed the warrants set by the Federal Highway Administration for four-way stop signs with the DPW Director of Engineering.

Chairperson Councilor Colorio recognized the WPD Lieutenant, who discussed traffic accidents occurred at the site.

Chairperson Councilor Colorio recognized the DPW Director of Engineering, who discussed data assessment for the warrants for the Federal Highway Administration with the WPD Lieutenant.

Chairperson Councilor Colorio moved for a roll call vote to accept the recommendation.

Recommend Hold on a roll call vote of 3 Yeas and 0 Nays

7b.

A. David Sutton et al. request installation of stop signs at the intersection of Houghton St. and Palm St. # 8h CC October 6, 2020

Attachments

Chairperson Councilor Colorio read the item and recognized the DPW Director of Engineering, who provided the recommendation to amend the item to install a stop sign on Palm Street at Houghton Street.

Chairperson Councilor Colorio moved for a roll call vote to amend the item to read as follow: A. David Sutton et al. request installation of a stop sign on Palm St. at Houghton St.; and to recommend the item be approved.

Recommend Approval as Amended on a roll call vote of 3 Yeas and 0 Nays

7c.

Councilor Sean M. Rose on behalf of Frank Pupillo request installation of a four-way stop sign at the intersection of Fairhaven Rd. and Eunice Ave. # 10q CC September 8, 2020

In Committee October 14, 2020 - Held

Attachments

Chairperson Councilor Colorio read the item and recognized the DPW Director of Engineering, who provided the recommendation to file, as it does not meet the warrant for multi-way stop signs and the intersection is in close proximity with the intersection of Burncoat Street and Fairhaven Road.

Chairperson Councilor Colorio discussed the challenges relative to the close proximity of the intersection of Fairhaven Road and Eunice Avenue and the intersection of Fairhaven Road and Burncoat Street with the DPW Director of Engineering and WPD Lieutenant.

Chairperson Councilor Colorio recognized Councilor Rose, who discussed the concerns from the residents at the location and starting a pilot program for the four-way stop sign at the intersection.

Chairperson Councilor Colorio recognized Councilor Bergman, who discussed challenges concerning reconciliation of residents’ concerns and traffic data meeting the warrants for multi-way stop signs, and suggested to wait for legal opinions relative to the multi-way stop signs.

Chairperson Councilor Colorio then discussed replicating the pilot program on Clover Street with the DPW Director of Engineering.

Chairperson Councilor Colorio recognized Councilor Rose, who discussed implementing a four-way stop sign pilot program at the intersection of Fairhaven Road and Eunice Avenue.

Chairperson Councilor Colorio then discussed the factors that can impact the available traffic data for the intersection and the challenges concerning whether the traffic data accurately reflect the traffic problems at the location.

Chairperson Councilor Colorio recognized Councilor Rose, who discussed previously approved multi-way stop signs and the procedural actions to be taken for the item with Councilor Bergman and the City Clerk.

Chairperson Councilor Colorio recognized the DPW Director of Engineering, who discussed the needs to review guidance relative to installation and removal of temporary stop signs in the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices as there are risks associated with the removal of temporary stop signs with Councilor Bergman.

Chairperson Councilor Colorio brought forth the following Chairman’s Order: 1) Request City Manager request Commissioner of Public Work and Parks provide City Council with a report concerning the benefits of the four-way stop sign of the pilot program on Clover St., including a transcript of the testimony provided by WPD Lieutenant Timothy Walsh at the Traffic and Parking Committee meeting on February 10, 2021 to be provided by the Chief of Staff. and; 2) Request City Manager request City Solicitor provide City Council with an update relative to the previous legal opinion requests concerning four-way stop signs and; 3) Request City Manager request Commissioner of Public Works and Parks provide City Council with a report concerning the impact of the stop sign pilot program at Fairhaven Rd. and Eunice Ave. three (3) months after its installation.

Chairperson Councilor Colorio moved for a roll call vote to recommend the item be approve to install four-way stop sign at the intersection of Fairhaven Rd. and Eunice Ave. as part of a pilot program.

Recommend Approval on a roll call vote of 3 Yeas and 0 Nays

Chairman's Orders

Request City Clerk provide City Council with a transcript detailing the WPD Lieutenant's statements concerning the benefits of the four-way stop sign of the pilot program on Clover St. at the Traffic and Parking Committee meeting on February 10, 2021.

Request City Manager request City Solicitor provide City Council with an update relative to the previous legal opinion requests concerning four-way stop signs.

Request City Manager request Commissioner of Public Works and Parks provide City Council with a report concerning the impact of the stop sign pilot program at Fairhaven Rd. and Eunice Ave. three (3) months after its installation.

7d.

Peter Magerowski request installation of four-way stop sign at the intersection of Wayne St. and Baker St. # 9x CC September 8, 2020

Attachments

Chairperson Councilor Colorio read the item and recognized the DPW Director of Engineering, who provided the recommendation to approve.

Chairperson Councilor Colorio moved for a roll call vote to accept the recommendation.

Recommend Approval on a roll call vote of 3 Yeas and 0 Nays

7e.

Phil Cournoyer et al. request installation of a four-way stop sign at the intersection of Victor Ave. and Abington St. # 10g CC September 8, 2020

In Committee October 14, 2020 - Held In Committee January 20, 2021 - Held

Attachments

Chairperson Councilor Colorio read the item and recognized the DPW Director of Engineering, who provided the recommendation to file, as traffic volume at the location does not meet warrants and two legs of the roadway is a dirt private street.

Chairperson Councilor Colorio then discussed installation of a two-way stop sign on Abington Street with the DPW Director of Engineering.

Chairperson Councilor Colorio moved for a roll call vote to recommend the item be held.

Recommend Hold on a roll call vote of 3 Yeas and 0 Nays

7f.

Edith Morgan et al. request installation of a four-way stop sign at the intersection of Uxbridge St. and Shattuck St. # 7m CC August 11, 2020

In Committee October 14, 2020 - Held

Attachments

Chairperson Councilor Colorio read the item and recognized the DPW Director of Engineering, who provided the recommendation to file the item, as the location does not meet the warrants for a multi-way stop sign.

Chairperson Councilor Colorio then discussed adding the location to the multi-way stop sign pilot program with Councilor Bergman and Councilor Rose.

Chairperson Councilor Colorio moved for a roll call vote to recommend the item be approved to install a four-way stop sign at the intersection of Uxbridge St. and Shattuck St. as part of a pilot program.

Recommend Approval on a roll call vote of 3 Yeas and 0 Nays

8.

Traffic Sign Petitions

8a.

Marissa Allen et al. request installation of a "Dead End" and children advisory signage at the beginning of Benjamin Rd. # 8c CC January 5, 2021

Attachments

Recommend Approval on a roll call vote of 3 Yeas and 0 Nays (See Item #4a)

8b.

Councilor George J. Russell on behalf of Kristen Morgan request installation of a “Dead End” sign prior to the entrance of Pine Hill Rd. # 8g CC January 5, 2021

Attachments

Chairperson Councilor Colorio read the item and recognized the DPW Director of Engineering, who provided the recommendation to approve for a No Outlet signage.

Chairperson Councilor Colorio moved for a roll call vote to amend the item to read as follow: Councilor George J. Russell on behalf of Kristen Morgan request installation of a “No Outlet” sign prior to the entrance of Pine Hill Rd.

Recommend Approve and Amend on a roll call vote of 3 Yeas and 0 Nays

9.

Communications of the City Manager

9a.

Transmitting informational communication relative to the traffic direction of Pond Street, between Harding Street and Green Street, as well as Harrison Street, between Harding Street and Green Street. # 8.6A CM December 22, 2020

Attachments

Chairperson Councilor Colorio read the item and recognized the DPW Director of Engineering, who discussed the procedural steps to be taken for the item with the City Clerk.

Chairperson Councilor Colorio brought forth the following Chairman’s Order: Chairman's Order from the Committee on Traffic and Parking - Request Standing Committee on Traffic and Parking Committee hold a hearing to consider making Harrison St. a one-way street in an eastbound direction from Green St. to Harding St.; and to make Pond St. a one-way street in a westbound direction from Harding St. to Green St.

Chairperson Councilor Colorio moved for a roll call vote to recommend the item be held.

Recommend Hold on a roll call vote of 3 Yeas and 0 Nays

Chairman's Orders

Request Standing Committee on Traffic and Parking Committee hold a hearing to consider making Harrison St. a one-way street in an eastbound direction from Green St. to Harding St.; and to make Pond St. a one-way street in a westbound direction from Harding St. to Green St.