Town of Natick
Safety Committee Minutes
May 29, 2007
The meeting was called to order by Chief Mannix at 10:00 a.m.
Members in attendance: Chief Mannix Chief Sabourin
Sgt. Lauzon Robert Ward
Ronald Ordway John Slamin
Patrick Reffett Charlie Sisitsky
Joan Craig
Approval of the February 27, 2007 Safety Committee Minutes: The committee VOTED to approve the minutes of the February meeting with the correction of a typo on page two, where the company, CSX is accidentally spelled SCX and the Kansas Street is misspelled as Canvas Street.
New Business:
Pegan Lane Access: The committee discussed the issue of motor vehicles traveling beyond the residential area of the street, and onto the unimproved section of roadway where they are getting stuck and knocking on the doors of the neighbors on the street asking for assistance in the middle of the night. There is a small sign that explains that this road is for access to the homes on the road. One suggestion would be to erect a temporary barrier so as to block access to the road beyond the area of the homes, while not interfering with emergency vehicle access. The committee VOTED to table this issue until the next meeting in order to provide an opportunity for members to take a closer look at it.
Intersection of Rte. 27 and Pond Street - Request to eliminate parking spaces (sight distance issue): The committee reviewed a residents request to eliminate parking in this area to avoid an obstructed view. The committee reviewed and discussed this matter and VOTED not to make this recommendation to the Board of Selectmen.
Request for signs reading "4 Way Stop" at the intersection of Washington/North and South Avenues: (Previously addressed and completed).
Clarendon Street Request from Commission on Disability to add handicapped parking to the other side of the street. The committee VOTED to deny this request as a safety issue for motor vehicles backing out of the already existing parking spaces, along with the fact that if approved, disabled persons would be off loading into the street.
Rutledge Lane parking restriction during baseball games: The committee reviewed this request and VOTED to recommend the placement of a sign which advises, "Private Way No Parking Beyond This Point" along with "No Parking" between Rutledge Lane and the Wilson School driveway on the southwest side.
Complaint Regarding the possible unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle repair shop at 104 West Central Street: The committee reviewed the issue brought forward and determined it to be something more appropriately addressed by the Community Development Director for further investigation.
Complaint Regarding the possible unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle repair shop at 169 North Main Street: The committee reviewed the issue brought forward and determined it to be something more appropriately addressed by the Community Development Director for further investigation.
Safety Issue in the area dividing Nick's Restaurant and the Senior Center. The committee was advised that the owner of Nick's Restaurant has laid down stone/gravel to provide access where the parking lot is divided. The committee VOTED to place jersey barriers in this area, (on the municipal side), to prevent motorists from cutting through one parking lot to the other.
Abandoned House Update: The committee discussed the abandoned house and concerns that trespassers are beginning to enter into this area. A family member has continued to assure the committee that they are trying to raise the money to repair this home. The Safety Committee VOTED to pursue the matter with the building inspector.
Mr. Sisitsky mentioned that the new median strip on Rte. 9 in the area of 180 Worcester Street has not had the lights replaced and is not as well lit as it should be. No vote was taken on this issue.
An issue was also raised about the MathWorks Company employees exiting the Speen Street site onto Rte. 9 without yielding. Mr. Reffett, the Community Development Director will look into this issue and report back to the committee.
The meeting was adjourned at 10:50 a.m.
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