Town of Natick
Safety Committee Minutes
February 28, 2006
The meeting was called to order by Chief Mannix, Chairman, at 10:10 a.m.
Members in attendance: Robert Ward, Sr. Joan Craig Ron Ordway
Sgt. Lauzon Chief Mannix
Charles Sisitsky
Also in attendance: Domenico Manago, Petitioner
Mel Albert, Natick Bicycle & Pedestrian
Approval of the January 24, 2006 Safety Committee Minutes: The committee VOTED to approve the January 2006 minutes.
OLD BUSINESS:
Cottage Street Concerns: A request was made to determine what requirements are necessary to make Cottage Street a public way in the town of Natick. The DPW Director advised the committee that there are three warrant articles scheduled for Spring Town Meeting. The first one deals with ground repaving; the second one deals with accepting Cottage Street as a public way in the town of Natick; and the third is to conduct a survey and lay out plan for the street. The committee agreed to continue dedicated patrols and await the outcome of the Spring Town Meeting.
Oak Street and Winter Street Intersection: DPW Director Sisitsky discussed the efficacy and feasibility of narrowing the intersection and placing a dividing island at the intersection. The committee agreed to bring the design back for further review.
Adams Street: The committee determined that it would not be in the best interest of the town to recommend parking restrictions until we get the municipal lot back in service. The property line still needs to be determined and the Traffic Safety Sgt. agreed to discuss the parking enforcement issue with the parking enforcement officer. The committee VOTED to table the issue until the next meeting.
Municipal Parking Lot: The committee revisited the issue of entry and exit signage between Pond Street and West Central Street. The DPW Director and the Traffic Safety Sgt. will speak with the Town Engineer. No action will be taken at this time.
Maple Avenue “No Parking signs: The Traffic Safety Officer reported that this is the property of the Natick High School. As a result, there will be no action taken on this issue.
Replacement of “No Parking” signs on Pond Street: The Traffic Safety Sgt. will arrange for the replacement of the worn and illegible signs. No action needs to be taken by the committee in order to replace these signs.
Oak Street and Bacon Street Curbing: The DPW Director agreed that there is a need for curbing in this area, but will need to wait until spring when the weather permits. No action will be taken on this issue at this time.
NEW BUSINESS:
Replacement of sign at the Corner of Church and Common Street: The committee reviewed and recommends approval of a request from the parking clerk asking to have “No Parking Anytime” signs replaced.
Hayes Street – Parking Issues: The parking clerk requested no parking signs be installed on the west side of the street. As a result of the municipal lot reconstruction and the need for additional parking spaces in the downtown area, the committee VOTED to remove the parking restriction until more spaces are made available for the downtown area parking needs and will revisit this issue when the parking demands are lessened by the reopening of the municipal lot.
Speen Street & Pinehurst Avenue Bus Stop: The committee reviewed a request from a Natick resident requesting that the bus stop be moved from Speen Street into the residential neighborhoods. It was determined that this area needs to be repainted and posted in the spring. The committee VOTED to repaint the pedestrian crosswalks and for the installation of high visibility signs.
Safety Issues on Maple Street: The committee revisited the traffic concerns and the width of the street to determine possible solutions to resolving the safety concerns of area residents. It was determined that taking a left onto Maple Street is dangerous as drivers attempt to go across the intersection. A speed bump was considered as a possible solution, as well as the installation of a “No Left Turn” restriction. The committee VOTED to table this issue for further review and continue to study potential solutions.
Request for Four Way Stop on Fisher/Third and Loker: A request was received by the committee to make the intersection of Fisher Street/Third and Loker as a four way stop. Further review of this issue will be needed to determine if this intersection meets the warrant for a four way stop. The committee VOTED to take no action on this issue at this time.
In closing, the committee was addressed by Mr. Mel Albert of the Natick Bicycle and Pedestrian Group asking for further collaboration with the Natick Police Department for Bicycle Safety Classes. Chief Mannix agreed to consider future classes in the spring.
The meeting was adjourned at 11:03 a.m.
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