Town of Natick
Safety Committee Minutes
August 28, 2007
The meeting was called to order by Chief Mannix at 10:08 a.m.
Members in attendance: Chief Mannix Chief Sabourin
Sgt. Lauzon Patrick Reffett
John Slamin Charles Sisitsky
Robert Ward
Also in attendance: Noise Committee Members: Janet Nichols Bob Healey
Don Friswell Tim Foulkes
Eric Thalheimer
Jeanne Williamson-Ostroff
Approval of the June 26, 2007 Safety Committee Minutes: The committee VOTED to approve the minutes of the June meeting.
New Business:
Noise Committee Presentation: The Noise Committee gave a slide presentation outlining their proposed Noise By-Law. The Safety Committee will invite them back in a future meeting to continue discussion. No action was taken on this issue.
Parking on Mercer Road: A property owner sent a letter to the Board of Selectmen requesting that Mercer Road (in the area of #10) be changed to no longer allow parking on either side of the entrance to his parking lot. The committee discussed the issue and VOTED to take no action on it at this time, since the driveway was not being blocked by parked cars.
Request for "Blind Drive" Signage on Oak Street: A request was made from a Natick resident who lives across from Hunnewell State Forest, to be allowed to place a mirror across the street from her driveway to assist her in exiting her driveway. The committee does not advocate for the use of mirrors because they can cause motorists to become distracted and has no authority to allow the placement on properties not owned by the petitioner. The committee VOTED to deny this request.
Change of Address Request for 158 Oak Street to #2 Pickerel Road: The committee agreed that it is a reasonable request and VOTED to recommend the Board of Selectmen call for a public hearing.
Concerns of the Traffic Safety Sergeant:
Vesta Road House Numbers: Sergeant Lauzon explained that homes on Vesta Road are not numbered sequentially or logically. This is a concern for public safety responders. The committee agreed that a neighborhood meeting should be organized and that representatives from the police, fire and DPW be invited to attend. As a temporary solution, Sgt. Lauzon requested an arrow sign be constructed at the southwest corner of Vesta Road and Perry Road, reading Vesta Road with applicable house numbers to indicate that taking a right continues the same roadway and the specific house numbers located in that area. The committee will continue discussion of this issue at the next meeting and Sgt. Lauzon will attempt to organize a neighborhood meeting.
Walnut Street at Loker Park: Sgt. Lauzon requested the implementation of high visibility pedestrian crosswalk signs. The committee agreed that this area should have the high visibility crosswalk signs at this location and VOTED for their installation.
Windsor Avenue and West Street: Sgt. Lauzon showed the committee pictures of the worn condition of the signs in this area and requested the committee recommend new signs indicating "No Parking" from West Street to the entrance of the skating rink and from Windsor Avenue to Durant Street, on both the north and south sides of the roadway. The committee agreed and VOTED to make this recommendation to the Board of Selectmen.
Windsor Avenue at the DPW: Sgt. Lauzon received a request from a resident requesting the installation of a sidewalk on the south side of Windsor Ave., in front of the DPW. The committee agreed that the need exists and VOTED to make this recommendation to the Board of Selectmen.
Resident Complaint Regarding the 4-Way Stop at West Street: The committee discussed the fact that Sgt. Lauzon received a complaint about the four way stop, but agreed that it seems to be working out well from a safety standpoint and agreed that NO ACTION should be taken on this issue.
Western Avenue at Concord Street: Due to recent roadway work, motor vehicles have been parking on both sides of the street and on sidewalks, which makes it difficult to get by in this area. Decreasing the parking spaces in this area would have a negative impact on the residents living there. Sgt. Lauzon will continue to monitor this area and will inform the committee if it becomes a safety hazard.
Floral Avenue at Rte. 27: A request was made to pave Floral Avenue Extension. The committee VOTED to take no action since it is an "unaccepted public way".
Parker Court Request for the Installation of a cul-d-sac: The homeowner on the end of Parker Court, at Middlesex Path, would like to build condos on her land and would like the support of the Safety Committee in order to move forward. Mr. Reffett, Community Development Director, does not support the idea and explained that she would need to present a formal plan if she wanted the committee to support her. Chief Sabourin does not support the proposed request either, from a public safety point of view, since its installation would not provide an adequate turning radius for fire apparatus.
Request for a crosswalk at Rte 135 and Middlesex Path: A request was made for the installation of high visibility pedestrian crossing signs at the intersection of Middlesex Path and Rte. 135. This request will be forwarded to Mark Coviello, Town Engineer, for his Rte. 135 construction punch list.
Harding Road at Kendall Lane: Sgt. Lauzon showed the committee pictures of overgrown shrubs that block the view of motorists at this intersection. This issue will be referred to the Building Inspector's office.
The committee adjourned at noon.
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