Monday, September 16, 2024 at 6 PM
Online only
This meeting has happened. Minutes are final.
What happened
11 items of legislation were taken up.
- 10 recommended to be marked work completed
- 1 accepted
Agenda 11 items
Notices from the agenda
(Posted online: 9/9/24 at 3:30 PM)
Pursuant to Chapter 2 of the Acts of 2023, this meeting of a City Council Committee will be conducted via remote participation. We will post an audio recording, audio-video recording, transcript, or other comprehensive record of these proceedings as soon as possible after the meeting on the City of Somerville website and local cable access government channels. Copy & paste the following link into your internet browser to view this meeting live: https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_NboX7je1QZuvSqDOI_3Xhw Individuals with disabilities who need auxiliary aids and services for effective communication (i.e. CART, ASL), written materials in alternative formats, or reasonable modifications in policies and procedures, in order to access the programs and activities of the City of Somerville or to attend meetings, should contact Adrienne Pomeroy in advance, at 617-625-6600 x2059 or ada@somervillema.gov.
The meeting took place virtually via Zoom and was called to order at 6:00 PM by Chair Sait and adjourned at 7:00 PM with a roll call vote of 3 in favor (Councilor Wilson, Councilor Pineda Neufeld, and Councilor Sait) 0 opposed. Councilor Wilson joined the meeting at 6:17 pm. Others present: Brad Rawson – Director of Mobility, Suzanne Rinfret – Director of Parking, William Rymill - Lieutenant, Madalyn Letellier - Legislative Services Manager
Roll Call
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1.
Approval of the Minutes of the Traffic and Parking Committee Meeting of June 24, 2024.
Roll call: 2 aye · 1 absent
- Naima SaitAye
- Judy Pineda NeufeldAye
- Jake WilsonAbsent
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2.
That the Administration update the Ward Six Councilor on the process for monitoring and adjusting traffic signals in Davis Square.
{\rtf1\ansi\ansicpg1252\deff0\deflang1033{\fonttbl{\f0\froman\fprq2\fcharset0 Times New Roman;}{\f1\fnil\fcharset0 Times New Roman;}} {\colortbl ;\red0\green0\blue0;} \viewkind4\uc1\pard\nowidctlpar\sl-284\slmult0\tx2640\cf1\f0\fs24 Director Rawson outlined the projects that have been done to upgrade the electronics of the traffic signal system. The next step is to lengthen green lights and shorten red lights to allow for better movement of busses, grant funding has been secured, and new technology has been installed to assist in this process. Chair Sait asked for more information on how the signal timing will improve the square and if this technology is available anywhere outside of Davis Square. Director Rawson explained the old system was very limited and this new technology can now make modifications to detect timing patterns between pedestrians and vehicles and there are active projects coming with a few signals available in other spots in the city. Lieutenant Rymill commented on the change to Highland Avenue has been positive and the system is working well. Councilor Pineda Neufeld asked about the walk sign signal from the CVS signal and folks turning left on Highland and if that is something that can be fixed. Director Rawson responded that is the signal systems design to flash yellow to yield and there is additional pavement work to be done to reinforce yielding to pedestrians.\par \pard\f1\par }
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3.
Jarred Johnson submitting comments re: Green Line Extension.
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4.
That the Administration and this Council work with the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) to address long-standing issues with service reliability with the Union Square (D-line) branch of the Green Line.
{\rtf1\ansi\ansicpg1252\deff0\deflang1033{\fonttbl{\f0\froman\fprq2\fcharset0 Times New Roman;}{\f1\fnil\fcharset0 Times New Roman;}} {\colortbl ;\red0\green0\blue0;} \viewkind4\uc1\pard\nowidctlpar\sl-284\slmult0\tx2640\cf1\f0\fs24 Councilor Ewen-Campen spoke on this item and the service challenges being experienced with the Green Line Extension (GLX) and posed questions to administration on how best to work together moving forward. Director Rawson responded there are not great answers or specific information to how operational decisions are being made by the MBTA and in what ways the city can best collaborate with them. Councilor Ewen-Campen followed up by asking if there is a sense for the cause of express trains and gaps in service. Director Rawson referred to the memo attached to the agenda on how the operational decisions are made and how to balance out trip starts. Jarred Johnson, Executive Director of Transitmatters, who wrote the memo spoke to difficulties on the E branch, specifically running through neighborhoods, agreed the T should have better communication with riders on express trains to avoid 30-40-minute waits between trains. He did identify an issue with the D branch not being dispatches as tightly as it should, and the T tracking does not get real time tracking until it starts moving. \par \pard\f1\par }
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5.
That the Director of Mobility change the intersection of Meacham and Fremont Streets to a 4 WAY STOP.
{\rtf1\ansi\ansicpg1252\deff0\deflang1033{\fonttbl{\f0\froman\fprq2\fcharset0 Times New Roman;}{\f1\fnil\fcharset0 Times New Roman;}} {\colortbl ;\red0\green0\blue0;} \viewkind4\uc1\pard\nowidctlpar\sl-284\slmult0\tx2640\cf1\f0\fs24 Director Rawson responded to this item that this location will be added to the evaluation list for the future. \par \pard\f1\par }
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6.
That the Director of Mobility install new, more visible STOP signs at the intersections of Meacham and Moreland Streets and Meacham and Fremont Streets to address drivers failing to stop.
{\rtf1\ansi\ansicpg1252\deff0\deflang1033{\fonttbl{\f0\froman\fprq2\fcharset0 Times New Roman;}{\f1\fnil\fcharset0 Times New Roman;}} {\colortbl ;\red0\green0\blue0;} \viewkind4\uc1\pard\nowidctlpar\sl-284\slmult0\tx2640\cf1\f0\fs24 Director Rinfret shared that observation and review has been done to the site and the signage has been deemed appropriate.\par \pard\f1\par }
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7.
That the Director of Mobility install solar powered YOUR SPEED IS signs on Moreland Street between Main Street and Meacham Street.
{\rtf1\ansi\ansicpg1252\deff0\deflang1033{\fonttbl{\f0\froman\fprq2\fcharset0 Times New Roman;}{\f1\fnil\fcharset0 Times New Roman;}} {\colortbl ;\red0\green0\blue0;} \viewkind4\uc1\pard\nowidctlpar\sl-284\slmult0\tx2640\cf1\f0\fs24 Director Rinfret confirmed a review has not been done and there is no evidence that the signage does slow speed and there are other traffic calming methods that can be tried first.\par \pard\f1\par }
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8.
That the Director of Mobility install additional signage to address illegal turns up Moreland Street to access East Albion Street from Mystic Avenue.
{\rtf1\ansi\ansicpg1252\deff0\deflang1033{\fonttbl{\f0\froman\fprq2\fcharset0 Times New Roman;}{\f1\fnil\fcharset0 Times New Roman;}} {\colortbl ;\red0\green0\blue0;} \viewkind4\uc1\pard\nowidctlpar\sl-284\slmult0\tx2640\cf1\f0\fs24 Director Rawson highlighted that signage is in place and is visible, further education and enforcement may be necessary. Lieutenant Rymill shared that enforcement and education was done in the past and he was unaware of the continued problem and will launch preemptive measures to ensure motorists are adhering to the laws in the area.\par \pard\f1\par }
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9.
That the Director of Mobility install speed humps on Meacham Street from Edgar Avenue to Fremont Street.
{\rtf1\ansi\ansicpg1252\deff0\deflang1033{\fonttbl{\f0\froman\fprq2\fcharset0 Times New Roman;}{\f1\fnil\fcharset0 Times New Roman;}} {\colortbl ;\red0\green0\blue0;} \viewkind4\uc1\pard\nowidctlpar\sl-284\slmult0\tx2640\cf1\f0\fs24 Director Rawson confirmed that Meacham Street has been prioritized for speed humps and the department is using data to best inform decisions. The office has determined this area is a high priority and locations for speed humps are scheduled to be constructed this fall.\par \pard\f1\par }
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10.
That the Director of Mobility install speed humps on Moreland Street from Main Street to Mystic Avenue.
{\rtf1\ansi\ansicpg1252\deff0\deflang1033{\fonttbl{\f0\froman\fprq2\fcharset0 Times New Roman;}{\f1\fnil\fcharset0 Times New Roman;}} {\colortbl ;\red0\green0\blue0;} \viewkind4\uc1\pard\nowidctlpar\sl-284\slmult0\tx2640\cf1\f0\fs24 Director Rawson stated that this location is also on the list for evaluation and shared that the tracking is still 1-2 years for this process.\par \pard\f1\par }
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11.
That the Director of Parking update this Council on efforts to ticket vehicles with illegal license covers, including how many tickets have been issued for this reason in the last year.
{\rtf1\ansi\ansicpg1252\deff0\deflang1033{\fonttbl{\f0\froman\fprq2\fcharset0 Times New Roman;}{\f1\fnil\fcharset0 Times New Roman;}} {\colortbl ;\red0\green0\blue0;} \viewkind4\uc1\pard\nowidctlpar\sl-284\slmult0\tx2640\cf1\f0\fs24 Lieutenant Rymill stated that Chapter 90, Section 6 covers a wide variety of violations, the number of tickets issued this year is 12-15 so far. Lieutenant Rymill explained that the State lowered restrictions that were on plates in 2022 which has led to a decrease in violations. \cf0\fs20\par \pard\cf1\f1\fs24\par }