2008-08-19 TPC MinutesTRANSPORTATION AND PARKING COMMISSION
City of Northampton
City Hall, 210 Main Street, Room 18
Northampton, MA 01060 -3199
MINUTES
August 19, 2008
Chair David Narkewicz opened the meeting at 4:05pm. in City Council Chambers,
Puchalski Municipal Building, 212 Main Street, Northampton.
Members present David Narkewicz, Maureen Carney arrived at 4:15pm, Ned Huntley,
William Letendre left at 4:55pm, Russell Sienkiewicz, Wayne Feiden, Keith Wilson,
Leslie Stein, James Lowenthal
Members absent Paul Sustick, David Reckhow
1. Public Comment
None
2. Minutes of July 15, 2008
Changes to be made: references to Bike Ped Committee should be Public Transit
Committee, 43 Route should be 44 Route, and "reduce speed from 30 mph to 2mph"
should be 25mph.
Feiden moved to approve the minutes as amended. Letendre seconded. The vote
passed unanimously (8 -0).
3. Ordinances (3) — Referred back from City Council
Narkewicz summarized history. Continuation of Commission's review of three
Ordinances referred back to us by City Council -- we had a lengthy discussion on them at
our last meeting on July 15, 2008. We then, in turn, referred the matter back to Public
Transit Committee. Leslie Stein, Public Transit Committee Chair, was on vacation, and
so, the plan was that Leslie would take the time between the two meetings to confer with
PVTA and civic association, and have one more meeting, which, I think, happened last
Wednesday, and then come back today with recommendations or not.
Leslie Stein — Before the Public Transit meeting, Mr. Ross is here today, and met with
myself, and new local PVTA manager, and his supervisor, and we discussed the two
proposals, met in Florence at the site, talked with Mr. Ross about the proposal put
forward and needs.
Narkewicz —Did PVTA weigh in on it?
Leslie Stein — Jaimin Carroll from PVTA was with us. We left our meeting with Mr.
Ross agreeing to disagree. David Murphy could not meet with us, had a conflict. Took
this back to our monthly Public Transit meeting last week, went over both proposals
again, specifics, Mr. Carrol and his manager at PVTA were there, reviewed again and
agreed the original proposal was most efficient and safest. That's where it was left; I
brought it back today, and remind people that it has taken almost two years now to get a
bus stop and shelter.
Chief Sienkiewicz questioned which meeting?
Stein further explained: two or three other meetings prior. Florence Savings Bank did not
want a bus stop in front of the bank, which would have been optimum spot. We agreed to
move across Keyes to the proposed location in front of ATM. First meeting was with
local PVTA manager Jake Toomey, a new manager was appointed since.
Mr. Ross, Florence Business and Civic Association — I left your last meeting thinking we
would hash this out and reach a compromise. Understand safety of pedestrians and the
needs of elderly and handicapped, but 40 feet is not going to make or break. Elderly and
handicapped wait for loop and do not cross. Keep getting told it's not about aesthetics.
Worked out great for Alex (Ghiselin), pushed forth his arguments. Florence Savings
Bank took ATM as their defensive move. Thought they had to take 2 nd location. Really
need bus stop, but elderly not walking to get to bus stop. Not just about the bus patrons, I
am here as representative of 500 business and residential households. They rely on me as
spokesperson. Not the end of the world to try it.
Narkewicz — City relies heavily on PVTA to recommend stop locations for their transit
system. PVTA went out with folks from the City to identify these and other locations.
PVTA testified before this Committee in April that these were their recommended stops.
PVTA has reviewed the alternative sites and stands by its previous recommendation.
Mr. Ross — I don't believe the bus can pull into that — two parking spaces in way — I drive
large trucks, same configuration, easier to pull out than in.
Stein — Mr. Ross asked PVTA this question at our meeting and Rep. said it was adequate
space.
Narkewicz — We asked for this to go back to Transit Committee and PVTA for further
review; they still recommend proposed bus stop
Ross. We've been working quite awhile on all stops, trying to take a more comprehensive
view of all Florence stops.
Wayne — Was the area in front of former Mobile station considered - still sounds like best
choice? Was there opposition?
Discussion: Sensitive area for parking, no place for a shelter, too many curb cuts make it
dangerous.
Narkewicz — This still needs to go to Ordinance Committee and City Council. It was
referred back to this committee. Asked by the Council to make a second
recommendation — do we recommend or not? Both PVTA and Transit Committee prefer
original proposal.
Wilson: We should defer to PVTA. If problems after, then address, defer to expertise.
Stein moved the motion to recommend the 3 ordinances. Wilson seconded. The
vote passed unanimously (9 -0). Referred to Ordinance Committee.
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4. Update: Traffic Calming
In packet, manual had two or three minor changes, citizens can submit, another criteria
for potential bike /ped access, minimum of 48 hours to traffic count. Draft application
form would be attached to end of document. Page 7 — wording changed, continue to
review and visit on annual basis. Traffic request form based on review of Cambridge's
program. Suggested that room for additional neighbors to sign form should be added to
ensure neighborhood support. Include explicit language to communicate with neighbors.
Encourage to self - assess as laid out in document. Refer to point system table.
Discussion of the points system — when is my street to be done? Huntley - Right now,
DPW has a roughly $16million backlog of projects and the pavement management
program rankings fluctuate as streets are evaluated and scored annually.
Draft plan released June 2007 and following a joint public hearing with BPW they took
under advisement. Hired Laura. Goal to have DPW say, "yes, we are happy with this ",
and then bring to City Council. We'll make future changes as needed. It is in the
document that we can make the changes ourselves and don't have to go back to City
Council.
Wilson made the motion to authorize the DPW and Laura to just move forward with the
two drafts and bring it to the Board of Public Works for final review. Seconded by
Lowenthal. The vote passed unanimously (9 -0)
Laura — In terms of process, how do we let public know when start of program?
Narkewicz - Council presentation will roll it out. Press will be there, article. Goal was
the second meeting in September of City Council, optimistic goal. Polish it up, add cover
page, table of contents, incorporate request form, etc..
Laura _ Other traffic calming issues: waiting to hear about experimental Tyre Grip
crosswalk for Smith College. We now have 17 bike racks installed (applause!) — email
sent a week ago to Court requesting more near courthouse. Traffic counts on for Sept 8"'
meeting.
5. Research Presentation Stacy Metzger, Transportation Planner for Vanasse
Hangen & Brustlin (VHB) and 2008 UMass Transportation Engineering grad
Stacy Metzger — PowerPoint presentation to show -
Traffic calming strategies - Speed cushions in Amherst, Lincoln Avenue —4 1/2 and 6 ft
cushions, after, some lasting effect after removal, volume slightly reduced, not conclusive
while speeds were overall lowered
Speed cushion easier for emergency vehicles to get over
Design speed is 30 mph and cushions around that
Must study more detail with compliance as volume appears reduced
3
Could do educational campaign
Reverse angle parking — video with 6 days of traffic patterns, studied behavior in these,
characteristics of movement, did not rate, how much use, higher parking volume in
traditional parking, average maneuver, as expected more adjustments, more on Fridays
and Wednesdays, most events occurred during non -peak hours, when not as congested.
In conclusion, on reverse angle parking: For Northampton, not recommended currently,
but could work in future.
Concern for events, not parallel parking, recommend median use, minimal conflicts with
bicycles, could be increased now, so few events to make conclusive. Minimal conflicts
with bicyclists and /or pedestrians, not a sample size big enough to make conclusions.
Why cushions and not humps: Amherst did not want due to emergency vehicles, strong to
not be hindered. This study done last Fall after raised crosswalks. One neighbor vocal
and advocate for cushions because of safety of children, noise not noticeable.
Are these cushions on the street now? No, may be put back, may try other roadways.
Amherst raised crosswalks — very dramatic.
Narkewicz: Other studies? Consistent with those, favorable to speed cushions. Primary
concern is emergency, response times. Reverse angle parking originated on West Coast,
whole street, very different from ours. Consensus? Speed cushions significantly more
favored, spacing is tricky, depends on several things: tire, cars, particular to community.
Narkewicz: Thank you for coming! This was great information for us to have. Keith has
copy of research — can you also send the presentation?
6. Update: Parking Cash -Out
Still researching — continued to next meeting
7. Committee Reports
Public transit — PVTA got a federal grant to extend service of 44 route - bus will now
service Village Hill and County Jail and Ryan Road School. Details still being worked
out for September schedule change. Narkewicz asked about Florence Road co- housing.
Not going there, a beginning, not able to meet all needs with available funding.
Thank you to Laura for bus stop signs and other work; two signs installed, "Do Not
Enter ", sign at end of Summer Street and State.
Lowenthal: reminder — contra flow bike lane — lengthy discussions to explain legal way
to go on bike path — Summer Street for cyclists — would have to add to Do Not Enter sign
"except if you are a bike ", devote more time to revisit.
Feiden - ServiceNet supportive of possible ramp thru its parking lot via Edward Square.
Engineering problems with National Grid have slowed work on some sections of
downnwn trail.
M
Bike path — vegetation growth made difficult to see vehicles, Lake St, cannot see cars.
Stop & Shop needs to maintain, planning could ask them, probably city?
Acme Automotive wants open lot — speed cushion? Wanted 100 ft open — 2 ft strip of
grass toward Stop & Shop — need to work with neighborhood
Paving on Roundhouse? Earl Grove to Roundhouse — end of year? Not sure — Mass
Highway, this calendar year but not last 100 ft. Mass Electric to move power lines.
Thank you, Wayne, for all your hard work on the bike paths.
Legislation in 1984 — Get land opposite transferred from general state ownership to give
city right of way, construct bike path through Ice Pond, walking trail? Possible bike path
to Look Park.
New York State peer review — roundabout — draft — next year? Idea of cost, parking —
generate study of costs
New Business
No new business
9. Adiourn
Carney moved to adjourn at 5:52pm. Feiden seconded. The vote passed
unanimously (8 -0).
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