Members in attendance: Chief Mannix Chief Sabourin
Sgt. Lauzon Robert Ward
John Slamin Patrick Reffett
Charlie Sisitsky
Old Business:
The Committee VOTED to approve the October 9, 2007 Safety Committee Minutes.
New Business:
Change of Address Request: The committee reviewed a request from the property owner of 26 Wentworth Road requesting a change of address to 18 Rutledge Road. The front of the home does face Rutledge Road. The committee VOTED to request that a public hearing be called by the Board of Selectmen with a favorable recommendation from the Safety Committee.
Resident Request for Signage at Liberty Street and Russell Circle: A request to add "children" signage to the entrance of Liberty Street off of Pine Street as well as to replace the old rusted "Children" sign just prior to Russell Circle. The person making the request has a disabled and mentally handicapped son. The committee VOTED to recommend the Board of Selectmen approval of this request.
Request for "no parking" signs on Shattuck and Oxbow Road: A Natick Police Officer was approached by several Shattuck Street and Oxbow Road residents who complained about commuters who park their motor vehicles in their neighborhood and leave them there all day long. The officer suggested signs be posted on Shattuck Street (across from #10) and at Oxbow Road (near #4) to discourage commuters from leaving their vehicles parked in this neighborhood. The committee VOTED to TABLE this issue in order to allow time to determine if it is the same cars parking there every day. The committee will revisit this issue in January.
Request for solution to Middlesex Avenue parking issues: Traffic Safety Sgt. Brian Lauzon was able to take a picture of the specific motor vehicle involved in this request. The vehicle was parked up on the granite sidewalk, with two wheels on the sidewalk and two wheels on the asphalt paving. It is also important to note that the resident making this request has a handicapped placard on her motor vehicle, and finds it difficult to walk any distance. Sergeant Lauzon agreed to inform the resident that she needs to leave room enough for a pedestrian pushing a baby carriage to be able to safely pass by this area without having to go out into the street. NO ACTION needs to be taken beyond the recommended counseling by Sgt. Lauzon. It was also agreed that officers will be advised not to ticket the motor vehicle
as long as adequate space is provided for pedestrians. Sgt. Lauzon will also inform the vehicle owner that this leniency does not apply when the town declares a snow emergency.
Request to Change Traffic Signal Sequence on West Central Street and Kendall Lane: A resident sent in a request asking that the light sequence be changed because pedestrians are not waiting for the pedestrian crossing sign, but instead, as soon as the West Central Street signal turns red, pedestrians begin to cross the street, even though they do not have their pedestrian walk light signal. As a result, the traffic coming out of Kendall Lane and the Shopping Plaza are then forced to yield to pedestrians, often missing the green light completely and having to wait for the lights to recycle. The committee VOTED TO TABLE this issue until a traffic study can be conducted to better determine the best course of action for everyone involved.
Parking Concerns in front of Saint Mark's Church on Abbott Road: Sgt. Lauzon asked that the committee review a parking problem in front of 4 Abbott Road. When church services are being held, cars park on the street, causing residents limited access to their homes. The committee VOTED to TAKE NO ACTION at this time in order to allow time for a careful review.
Request for Address Change for 105 North Main Street: The building once known as the Mitchell Funeral Home has been converted into condominiums, where more than one address will be required to identify separate residences. The committee VOTED to recommend favorably on this issue and request that the Board of Selectmen hold a public hearing on this request.
The committee adjourned at 11:00 a.m.
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