2010-08-17 TPC MinutesTransportation and Parking Commission
City of Northampton
210 Main Street, Room 18,
Northampton, MA 01060
(413) 587 -1210
www. northamptonma.gov/tpc
MEETING Minutes
Tuesday, August 17, 2010
4:00 PM – 6:00 PM
City Council Chambers, Puchalski Municipal Building
212 Main Street, Northampton
MEMBERS present: Maureen Carney, Jesse Adams, Ned Huntley, Russell Sienkiewicz, Deborah Bruce,
Leslie Stein, James Lowenthal, Bill Letendre (until 4:30) —also present DPW Laura Hanson
Members absent: Wayne Feiden, Gary Hartwell, Paul Sustick
1. Public Comment -- none
2. Approval of Minutes of 7/20/10—Letendre/Adams motion CARRIED
3. Washington Avenue Parking one - side -only (Councilor Spector) Spector gave history related to
limiting long -term parking of Smith students. Previous solution was altemgate side parking.
Proposed change is NO PARKING on East side. Motion Letendre /Adams to support forthcoming
Spector ordinance. Questions from Commission on why no use of Resident Only Parking.
Residents were unfavorable to that tact. MOTION CARRIED unanimous
4. Proposed change in the bus stop location at Main and Masonic Street – Public Transit
Subcommittee, (L. Stein) to avoid conflict with drivers presently parking in bus stop. Motion
Sienkiewicz /Letendre to sponsor amended bus stop ordinance. Adams questioned communication
with business owners; Stein acknowledged that businesses are not pleased with proposed change,
but noted that bus - riders also shop downtown, and that the issue is safety. Letendre concurred.
MOTION CARRIED
Proposed Right Turn Only Lane King St. SB at Finn. (Councilor Narkewicz) MOTION
Letendre /Bruce to support right turn only ordinance. Chief Sienkewicz stressed that accident -data
does not support any safety issue. Letendre claims issue is one of traffic flow. Lowenthal would
like to see more data, rather than relying on anecdotal data from commission members. Bruce
noted that signage already indicates thru traffic should stay in left lane; Carney noted that drivers
ignore those signs, and stay right in preparation for thru - traffic right ahead. MOTION to TABLE
to Sept meeting Huntley /Stein CARRIED
6. Engineering Review TCR #11 South St Laura Hanson presented – see attached. Commission
member Lowenthal and Ward 4 Councilor Schwartz expressed strong support of TCR, noting that
cars parked in the bike lane are routine in front of Lathrop Home.Hanson noted that South St now
rises to top of priority list, since completion of Jackson St SRTS Project. Among other solutions,
double yellow line, dedicated bike lanes, pedestrian paddles and newly painted crosswalks are
proposed. Hanson pointed to current work on Elm St as examples of possible curb extensions and
other considerations. Speed trailer is recommended for continued use, in addition to other signage.
Hanson provided cost estimates for various traffic calming devices and signs. Hanson
recommended an informal committee to prioritize the use of dedicated $46,756 traffic mitigation
funds. (A similar process occurred for the Montview Rd TCR) Hanson will meet with residents and
interested Commission members (Bruce and Lowenthal) as well as Councilor Schwartz.
7. Traffic Mitigation Funds – updates -- none
DPW Updates— Permanent speed humps to be installed on Grove St.. Huntley followed up on
uniformity of pedestrian paddle signs— whether "stop" or Yield" Sien
9. Committee & Department Head Reports
10. New Business—Lowenthal reported on Exit 19 discussions. All major fly -over ramps have been
taken off the table.
Sienkewicz/ Lowenthal motion to adjourn 5:30 CARRIED