2012-06-27 TPC Minutes forum i
- ----- ----- ----------- -- -- - - ----- ---- ---- ----- -------- — ---- --------- - — ----- ----------- -----------_ ----- -- -------- ----------
N`V `
AM
TRANSPORTATION & SPARKING COMMISSION
�
4W
.k, Councilor Gene A. Tacy, Chair
; dy �.. r Councilor Owen Freer'an-Daniels, Vice-Chair
Iced Hiintley, Director of Public Yorks
- - -
Russell Sienkiewicz, Chief of Police
NI-ayne F'eiden;Dir-ectof"of-P-lane?.ng and-Coi7x17z,2rnity Deuelopnxet7t
Debin Bruce, Planning Board
Gary Hartwell,Board of Public Yorks
Leslie Stein, CitizenlPVTA Representative
.Tames Lowenthal, Citizen
Richard Cooper, Citizen
MEETING MINUTES -FORUM
Union. Street Traffic Calming Feedback and Discussion
Wednesday, June 27, 2012
7:00 pm
City Council Chambers, 212 Main Street
Wallace J. Puchalski Municipal Building,Northampton,-MA
1. Members present: Councilor Gene Tacy,Councilor Owen Freeman-Daniels
Also present: Laura Hanson,DPW Traffic Engineer
Members absent: Ned Huntley,Russell Sienkiewicz, Wayne Feiden,Debin Bruce, Gary Hartwell,Leslie
Stein, James Lowenthal,Richard Cooper
2, Meeting Called to Order—Councilor Freeman-Daniels called the meeting to order at 7:20 p.m.
3. Announcement of Audio/Video Recording of Meeting--The meeting is audio-recorded.
4. No votes will be taken at this forum.
5. Public Comment
Laura Hanson,Traffic Engineer,explained that this forum is held to gain feedback on the traffic study and possible
funding for Union Street and to determine if the temporary speed humps should be permanent. The Traffic
Calming Manual of May 2008 explains the process of neighborhood cooperation in making an application and
submitting that application to be place on the agenda of a Transportation&Parking Commission meeting. The
application for Union Street was submitted in November 2011. The Transportation&Parking Commission voted
to do the traffic.study and traffic counters were placed in April 2012 to gather data. Temporary speed humps were
• tried before school let out for summer. In.this case,a private donor is willing to pay for the permanent speed
humps. (See attached handout)
Jack Keenan,Unit#6, 50 Union Street, stated that he has lived in Northampton 25 years,and has been a police
officer for 30 years. Mr.Keenan noted that there are mothers collecting their children from 2:00 pm—3:00 pm,
with children often running,and it would be dangerous if any child ran to the right. Most traffic is west to east,
and cars obstruct the view. In winter,illumination would also be good to have. A stop sign South on Parsons
Street would also be good to have. Speeders do not slow down at all,and their cars elevate over the speed humps.
Ms.Hanson suggested that any resident can call the police and request the speed trailer,or to be put on a list for
the speed trailer to be placed.on any street.
Councilor Tacy was dismayed to see only two residents present of this forum. Councilor Freeman-Daniels asked
- - Mr:Keenan if the Condo Association was in favor of this.- Mr.-Keenan-noted-that the Condo Association
consensus was that this was a good solution.
Page 1 of 2
Transportation &Parking Commission, Minutes of June 27, 2012 Forum
J
t
l
A
]f
1
Denzel Hankinson,a resident who lives across from the school,has a 6 year old child. Mr.Hanklnson stated this
would be a great idea,but is there any flexibility in how far apart the speed humps can be placed? Ms.Hanson
noted that the houses are close together,and there are specifications to follow.
Councilor Freeman-Daniels read supporting emails from Mr.&Mrs.wade, and from Mr,Marsh.
-- Ms—Hanson-explalned-that speed"bumps"—are-in-par-kln'g-lots,-while-spee "humps"_ar_e-placed on-streets-.—Ms_.
Hanson stated that the use of speed humps caused traffic on Riverside Drive to decrease by 12 miles per hour,from
42 mph to 30 mph. Speed humps always slow traffic down. Ms.Hanson stated that the DPW can try to install the
speed humps this summer or early fall,but a vote should be taken by the Transportation&Parking Commission at
their next meeting.
Councilors Freeman-Daniels and Tacy both noted that this item should be placed on the agenda of the July 17,
2012 meeting of Transportation&Parking Commission for a vote.
Councilor Freeman-Daniels noted he was in favor of speed humps,and it would be reasonable on Market and
Union,and placement would help at the school intersection, Councilor Freeman-Daniels asked Ms. Hanson to
look at any placements closer or further; Councilor Freeman-Daniels stated he would be happy to canvas the
neighborhood with these suggested placements.
Ms.Hanson encouraged the two residents to attend the July 17,2012 meeting of Transportation&Parking
Commission,and to mention to the Commission the request for a Stop sign at Parsons Street for a warrant analysis.
6. NEW BUSINESS Reserved for topics that the Chair did not reasonably anticipate would be discussed
At 7:56 p.m.,Councilor Freeman-Daniels adjourned the Forum.
The next regular meeting is July 17,2012
A
Respectfully submitted,
Mary L. Midura
Executive Secretary
t
Page 2 of 2
Transportation &Parking Commission, Minutes of June 27, 2012 Forum �
_ f
i
i
f
f
Distributed at the Transportation&Parking Commission(TPA)Meeting: June 19,2012 (Hanson) i
Presented/Discussed at the TPC Special Meeting&Union St Neighborhood Meeting: June 27, 2012 �
--- I?---_ -- ---- --- ----------- ------ --- ---------- ------- -----
NORTHAMPTON DPW SPEED HUMP STUDY
UNION STREET
SPEED HUMP INSTALLATION JBEFORE AND AFTER
UN1,O -S-T-=(-UP-4-in-April-and,-UP-5_in-Tune)-Between-Market-S.treet-and Parsons-Avenue-__._.-____
Posted speed limit=25 MPH until Bridge St School Zone=20 MPH
*85TH% speed was reduced 4 MPH between speed humps toward School Zone.
p p p
*95TH% speed was reduced 5 MPH between speed humps toward School,Zone.
Toward Parsons St M):
APRIL 2012 (993 Veh.): 21 MPH(50%), 26 MPH(85%), 30 MPH(95%),Mean T 20 MPH
;JUNE 2'0-12_(918 Veh.} 17 MPH(50%),-_22.MPH(85%),.25 MPH(95%),Mean 16 MPH
Toward Market St(SW)
APRIL 2012 ( 993 Veh.): 21 MPH(50%),26 MPH(85/8), 30 MPH(95%), Mean=22 MPH
JUNE 2012 (918 Veh.): 20 MPH(50%),2.5 MPH(85%),28 MPH(95%),Mean= 19 MPH
CHERRY ST--(UP6) Between Market Street and Parsons Avenue
Posted speed limit=35 MPH(State Prima Facie)
Toward Parsons St(NE)-
APRIL 2012 (284 Veh.): 19 MPH(50%), 25 MPH (85%),29 MPH(95%),Mean= 18 MPH
JUNE 2012 (308 Veh.): 18 MPH(50%),24 MPH (85%),26 MPH(95%),Mean= 16 MPH
Toward-Market St S
r
APRIL 2012 (284 Veh.): 19 MPH(50%),24 MPH(85%),28 MPH(95%), Mean= 17 MPH
JUNE 2012 (308 Veh.): 18 MPH(50%),, 25 MPH(85%),28 MPH(95%),Mean 17 MPH