Traffic Comm. eyes fixes for speeding in school zones

The issue of speeding in school zones and at crosswalks reached a new level of concern at a recent Traffic Committee meeting as members and residents agreed that motorists would pay more attention if they were hit with a costly speeding ticket.

The committee also mapped out an initial plan to improve safety for school crossing guards by improving the visibility of intersections, stepping up police enforcement, and encouraging parents through school communications to slow down and allow more time to transport students to and from school.

On the agenda at the September 27 Traffic Committee meeting were speeding complaints on Church Street, High Street, Pleasant and Oak streets, Crane Street, Washington and Kenney streets, and Will Drive.

Drawing the most concern were Washington/Kenney and Pleasant/Oak, where residents and crossing guards said too many motorists are either speeding, not stopping for buses, or not heeding crossing guards’ instructions. Peter Marchant of Lawrence Street said motorists are not always aware of the crosswalk at Washington and Kenney streets. “No one seems to know it’s there,” he said. “I have noticed cars are not stopping, cars are passing each other, and some cars are not stopping for buses. Something needs to be done to get the motorists’ attention, maybe a strobe light.”

Town Engineer Jay Mello said he would submit a full report of this intersection with plans for improved site lines.

Resident Lucien Brodeur spoke about the prevalence of speeding near Pleasant and Oak streets during school hours. Brodeur said cars are not slowing down and are ignoring the signs of the crossing guards.

Police Chief Ken Berkowitz said the problem is occurring all over town. “People are rushing, distracted, or not paying attention,” he said. “We are finding that one half of the people we are stopping are parents dropping off their kids — our own neighbors. There has to be a change in attitude.”

Traffic Committee Chair and Select Board member Tom Theodore agreed with the chief and Mello that there needs to be a public relations campaign aimed at parents that stresses the importance of slowing down and all agreed that a first step would be a conversation with Interim Superintendent Derek Folan.

Theodore added that there should also be a communication with the delivery firms (Amazon, UPS, etc.) about speed limits. A Kenney Street resident remarked, “Money talks and a $200 ticket will get the message across.”

Another documented trouble spot is Messinger Street, which has a playground nearby, and the town recently received state money to install more speed humps on the street. Mello and Town Planner Laura Smead, who obtained the grant, said the five to six humps will be added very soon but would be removed before the winter sets in.

In other news, Theodore reported that plans are in place to take out a parking spot near Dr. Alan Rapoport’s office on Washington Street within the next few days and adjust the traffic signal there to aid a left-hand turn onto Church Street. Theodore said he alerted the impacted businesses and said this is only a 90-day trial to see if traffic improves in the area.

Mello said a traffic lighting expert will look at the intersection of Neponset Street and Revolution Way to determine if the intersection is underlit at night.

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Posted by Mike Berger on Oct 8 2021. Filed under News, Town Government. Both comments and pings are currently closed.