CITY OF WORCESTER | Traffic and Parking Committee Meeting | Wednesday, March 16, 2022 | Esther Howland (South) Chamber | Convened: 4:01 P.M. | Adjourned: 06:28 P.M. |
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Mayor
Joseph M. Petty | 
www.worcesterma.gov |
Clerk of the City Council
Nikolin Vangjeli | Committee Members | | Chairperson Donna M Colorio | | Vice Chairperson Etel Haxhiaj | | Councilor Thu Nguyen |
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City Hall - 455 Main Street Worcester, Massachusetts | |
| Present Were: | Chairperson Councilor Donna M Colorio
Vice Chairperson Councilor Etel Haxhiaj
Councilor Thu Nguyen | | | | | Also: | Councilor Candy Mero-Carlson
Councilor Morris A. Bergman
Commissioner of Public Works and Parks Jay Fink
Assistant Chief Development Officer Stephen Rolle
WPD Lieutenant Timothy Walsh
Deputy City Clerk Stephen AJ Pottle, clerk | | | |
| 1. | Virtual Attendee Call-In Information | |
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| | | 1a. | Pursuant to Chapter 20 of the Acts of 2021 and in order to ensure active, public engagement, the City of Worcester currently allows for both in-person and remote participation at all City Council and Standing Committee meetings. To partake in the meeting, you may attend the meeting in-person within the meeting location, follow the below link to join via Zoom or dial the direct line as indicated.
Traffic and Parking Committee Zoom Link: https://zoom.us/j/92893960051
Traffic and Parking Committee Zoom Phone Number: (929) 205 6099
Traffic and Parking Committee Zoom Access Code: 928 9396 0051 | Attachments |
| 2. | Approval of the Minutes | |
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| | | 2a. | Order - That the City Council Standing Committee of Traffic and Parking hereby approves the minutes of the Traffic and Parking Committee meeting of February 9, 2022. | View Agenda | | | | | | | Chairperson Councilor Colorio read the item and moved to adopt the order. Order adopted. | |
| 3. | Handicap Parking Petitions | |
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| | | 3a. | Rand L'Heureux request installation of handicap parking space in front of 3 Jefferson St.
# 8jj CC September 22, 2021
In Committee Ocotber 13, 2021 - Held
In Committee November 17, 2021 - Held
In Committee December 15, 2021 - Held
In Committee January 19, 2022 - Held
In Committee February 9, 2022 - Held
| Attachments | | | | | | | Chairperson Councilor Colorio read the item and recognized the Assistant Chief Development Officer, who provided the recommendation to hold, as the petitioner is in the process of getting a handicap placard.
Chairperson Councilor Colorio recognized the Deputy City Clerk, who provided information concerning the process to volunteer to speak for remote participants.
Chairperson Councilor Colorio moved to accept the recommendation.
Recommend Hold on a roll call vote of 3 Yeas and 0 Nays | |
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| | | 3b. | Tanya McCauthy and Nydaja Ramos request removal of handicap parking space in front of 9 Winthrop St.
# 7f CC February 1, 2022 | Attachments | | | | | | | Chairperson Councilor Colorio read the item and recognized the Assistant Chief Development Officer, who provided the recommendation to approve.
Chairperson Councilor Colorio moved to accept the recommendation.
Chairperson Councilor Colorio recognized the following speaker:
1. Michael Gary, Worcester resident, spoke in opposition to the item
Chairperson Councilor Colorio recognized the Assistant Chief Development Officer, who discussed the original recommendation and provided the recommendation to file.
Chairperson Councilor Colorio recognized Councilor Nguyen, who discussed the language of the petition.
Chairperson Councilor Colorio moved to reconsider the item.
Chairperson Councilor Colorio recognized the Deputy City Clerk, who discussed the language of the petition and the procedural motions for the item.
Chairperson Councilor Colorio brought forth the following Chairman’s Order: Request City Clerk contact the petitioner to refile petition for removal of handicap parking space in front of 7 Winthrop St.
Chairperson Councilor Colorio moved to accept the recommendation.
Recommend File | | | | | | | | Chairman's Orders | | | | Request City Clerk contact the petitioner to refile petition for removal of handicap parking space in front of 7 Winthrop St. | |
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| | | 3c. | Thomas Balliet request installation of handicap parking space large enough for two vehicles in front of 132 Paine St.
# 7e CC February 8, 2022 | Attachments | | | | | | | Chairperson Councilor Colorio read the item and recognized the Assistant Chief Development Officer, who provided the recommendation to hold, as the number of handicap placards at the residence needs to be confirmed.
Chairperson Councilor Colorio moved to accept the recommendation.
Recommend Hold | |
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| | | 3d. | Kendall Deans et al. request removal of handicap parking space at the corner of Orne St. and Lincoln St.
# 7d CC February 8, 2022 | Attachments | | | | | | | Chairperson Councilor Colorio read the item and recognized the Assistant Chief Development Officer, who provided the recommendation to file, as this is a duplicate request.
Chairperson Councilor Colorio moved to accept the recommendation.
Recommend File | |
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| | | 3e. | Rodrigo Vela request handicap parking space at the corner of Orne St. and Lincoln St. be reduced to the length of one car.
# 7c CC February 8, 2022 | Attachments | | | | | | | Chairperson Councilor Colorio read the item and recognized the Assistant Chief Development Officer, who provided the recommendation to file, as the handicap parking space was recommended to be removed since it was unused.
Chairperson Councilor Colorio moved to accept the recommendation.
Recommend File | |
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| | | 3f. | Joseph Curet request removal of handicap parking space in front of 176 Lincoln St.
# 8i CC February 15, 2022 | Attachments | | | | | | | Chairperson Councilor Colorio read the item and recognized the Assistant Chief Development Officer, who provided the recommendation to approve.
Chairperson Councilor Colorio moved to accept the recommendation.
Recommend Approval | |
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| | | 3g. | Thomas Blanchette request installation of handicap parking place in front of 27 Rugby St.
# 8h CC February 15, 2022 | Attachments | | | | | | | Chairperson Councilor Colorio read the item and recognized the Assistant Chief Development Officer, who provided the recommendation to approve.
Chairperson Councilor Colorio moved to accept the recommendation.
Recommend Approval | |
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| | | 3h. | George Cortes request removal of handicap parking space in the vicinity of 258 Belmont St., with the re-installation of "No Parking Anytime" in its place on Belmont St. from Seabury Heights to the junction of Shrewsbury and Belmont St.
# 8e CC February 15, 2022 | Attachments | | | | | | | Chairperson Councilor Colorio read the item and recognized the following speaker:
1. George Cortes, Worcester resident, spoke in favor of the item
2. Martin Masterson, Worcester resident, spoke in opposition to the item
Chairperson Councilor Colorio recognized the Assistant Chief Development Officer, who discussed the decision relative to the location of the handicap parking space, and provided the recommendation to file, as the space does meet the engineering requirement for installation of handicap parking space.
Chairperson Councilor Colorio moved to accept the recommendation.
Recommend File | |
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| | | 3i. | Bashkim Kaba request installation of handicap parking space in front of 15 Homer St.
# 8i CC March 1, 2022 | Attachments | | | | | | | Vice Chairperson Councilor Etel Haxhiaj read the item and recognized the Assistant Chief Development Officer, who provided the recommendation to approve.
Vice Chairperson Councilor Etel Haxhiaj moved to accept the recommendation.
Recommend Approval | |
| 4. | Crosswalk and Lighted Crosswalk System Petitions | |
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| | | 4a. | David Pederson request the fluorescent yellow crossing signs at the intersection of Fruit St. and Elm St. be replaced with a traditional yellow sign.
# 7b CC January 18, 2022 | Attachments | | | | | | | Chairperson Councilor Colorio read the item and recognized the following speaker:
1. David Pederson, Worcester resident, spoke in favor of the item
Chairperson Councilor Colorio moved to recommend the item be held.
Recommend Hold | |
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| | | 5a. | Gerard Dio request installation of No Parking Anytime within 40 feet of the entry and exit to the Worcester Fire Department Credit Union located at 34 Glennie St. for the safety of the general public.
# 7g CC February 1, 2022 | Attachments | | | | | | | Chairperson Councilor Colorio read the item and recognized the following speaker:
1. Gerard Dio, Worcester resident, spoke in favor of the item
2. Dan Spencer, Worcester resident, spoke in favor of the item
Chairperson Councilor Colorio recognized the Assistant Chief Development Officer, who discussed the language of the petition and provided a recommendation to approve with the item amended to install No Parking Anytime between the two driveways of 34 Glennie St.
Chairperson Councilor Colorio moved to recommend the item be approved as amended.
Recommend Approval as Amended | |
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| | | 5b. | Thomas Xhupi request installation of "No Parking Here to Corner" signage in front of 325 Pleasant St. on the Merrick St. side.
# 10g CC January 11, 2022 | Attachments | | | | | | | Chairperson Councilor Colorio read the item and recognized the following speaker:
1. Thomas Xhupi, Worcester resident, spoke in favor of the item
Chairperson Councilor Colorio recognized the Assistant Chief Development Officer, who discussed the existing law concerning parking within 20 feet of a crosswalk and the feasibility of putting a No Parking sign at the corner.
Chairperson Councilor Colorio moved to recommend the item be approved.
Recommend Approval | |
| 6. | One and Two-Way Street Reconfiguration Petitions | |
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| | | 6a. | Mayor Joseph M. Petty request Sudbury St. from Harvard St. to Eden St. be made a two-way street.
# 8c CC February 15, 2022 | Attachments | | | | | | | Chairperson Councilor Colorio read the item and recognized the Assistant Chief Development Officer, who provided the recommend to hold.
Chairperson Councilor Colorio moved to accept the recommendation.
Recommend Hold | |
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| | | 6b. | Councilor George J. Russell on behalf of the Grafton Hill Neighborhood Association request consideration of reversing the one way direction of traffic on Fairmont Ave. off of Hamilton St. leading to Grafton St.
# 9r CC July 20, 2021
In Committee September 30, 2021 - Held
| Attachments | | | | | | | Chairperson Councilor Colorio read the item and recognized the following speakers:
1. Crystal Rosado, Worcester resident, spoke in opposition to the item
2. Sharon Durkin, Worcester resident, spoke in opposition to the item
Chairperson Councilor Colorio recognized the WPD Lieutenant, who discussed increasing enforcement in the area.
Chairperson Councilor Colorio recognized the Assistant Chief Development Officer, who provided the recommendation to file, as enforcement in the area will be provided.
Chairperson Councilor Colorio brought forth the following Chairman’s Order: Request City Manager request Police Chief provide increased traffic enforcement on Fairmont Ave.
Chairperson Councilor Colorio moved to accept the recommendation.
Recommend File | | | | | | | | Chairman's Orders | | | | Request City Manager request Police Chief provide increased traffic enforcement on Fairmont Ave. | |
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| | | 7a. | Report of the Committee on Traffic and Parking Upon the Petition of Councilor Candy Mero-Carlson request installation of a stop sign on Agate Ave. where the road makes a sharp right turn, in the vicinity of 2 Agate Ave.
# 13e CC March 1, 2022 | Attachments | | | | | | | Chairperson Councilor Colorio read the item and recognized Councilor Mero-Carlson, who discussed the traffic issues at the location.
Chairperson Councilor Colorio recognized the WPD Lieutenant, who discussed the potential traffic issues at the location and the benefits of installing a stop sign in the area.
Chairperson Councilor Colorio recognized the Assistant Chief Development Officer, who provided the recommendation to file, as the location does not meet warrants for a stop sign.
Chairperson Councilor Colorio moved to recommend the item be approved.
Recommend Approval | |
| 8. | Traffic Study Petitions | |
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| | | 8a. | Report of the Committee on Traffic and Parking Upon the Petition of Councilor Kathleen M. Toomey on behalf of Joan Bertrand request a traffic study at the intersection of Lincoln St. and Catherine St: recommend Petition be filed.
# 13d CC March 1, 2022 | Attachments | | | | | | | Chairperson Councilor Colorio read the item and recognized the Assistant Chief Development Officer, who provided the recommendation to file, as a work order can be put in to fix the sign at the location.
Chairperson Councilor Colorio brought forth the following Chairman’s Order: Request City Manager request Commissioner of Public Works and Parks fix the signage at the intersection of Lincoln St. and Catherine St.
Chairperson Councilor Colorio moved to accept the recommendation.
Recommend File | | | | | | | | Chairman's Orders | | | | Request City Manager request Commissioner of Public Works and Parks fix the signage at the intersection of Lincoln St. and Catherine St. | |
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| | | 9a. | Councilor George J. Russell on behalf of Joanne Papagni request installation of a restriction for through traffic of trucks on Ernest Ave.
# 7f CC January 25, 2022 | Attachments | | | | | | | Chairperson Councilor Colorio read the item and recognized the following speakers:
1. Joanne Papagni, Worcester resident, spoke in favor of the item
2. Kim Dacri, Worcester resident, spoke in favor of the item
3. No name given, Worcester resident, spoke in favor of the item
4. John Giangregorio, Worcester resident, spoke in favor of the item
Chairperson Councilor Colorio recognized the WPD Lieutenant, who discussed the challenges relative to GPS directions for truck drivers and the process relative to truck restriction.
Chairperson Councilor Colorio recognized Speaker #1, who discussed the traffic issues on Ernest Ave. relative to truck and cut-through traffic.
Chairperson Councilor Colorio brought forth the following two Chairman’s Orders: 1) Request City Manager request Commissioner of Public Works and Parks conduct a traffic study on Ernest Ave. concerning the feasibility of installing a weight-restriction on said street and; 2) Request City Manager request Commissioner of Public Works and Parks review traffic signage in the vicinity of 83 Ernest Ave.
Chairperson Councilor Colorio moved to recommend the item be held.
Recommend Hold | | | | | | | | Chairman's Orders | | | | Request City Manager request Commissioner of Public Works and Parks conduct a traffic study on Ernest Ave. concerning the feasibility of installing a weight-restriction on said street. | | | | Request City Manager request Commissioner of Public Works and Parks review traffic signage in the vicinity of 83 Ernest Ave. | |
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| | | 10a. | Order of Councilor Donna M. Colorio - Request Standing Committee on Traffic and Parking hold a public hearing to discuss the Speed Hump Pilot Program, including issues relative to the impact installing speed humps had on the streets involved in the pilot program, the process for petitioning City Council to be part of any future speed hump program and the feasibility of expanding the program.
# 10g CC February 15, 2022 | Attachments | | | | | | | Chairperson Councilor Colorio read the item and recognized Councilor Mero-Carlson, who provided feedback concerning speed humps installed in District 2.
Chairperson Councilor Colorio recognized the Commissioner of Public Works and Parks, who discussed the goals, timeline and details concerning the speed hump pilot program, feedback from residents concerning the speed humps and the removal of the speed humps in the winter for snow plowing purposes.
Chairperson Councilor Colorio recognized Councilor Bergman, who discussed the importance of the speed humps, feedback from residents, and the needs to expand the program to install speed humps on four streets per district for the upcoming year.
Chairperson Councilor Colorio recognized the following speakers:
1. Vittoria Visci, Worcester resident, spoke in opposition to the item
2. Andrew Loew, Worcester resident, spoke in favor of the item
3. Helena Louzonis, Worcester resident, spoke in favor of the item
4. Patricia Crans, Worcester resident, spoke in favor of the item
5. Ken Parrish, Worcester resident, spoke in opposition to the item
6. Britney Reuter, Worcester resident, spoke in favor of the item
7. Kelly Nelson, Worcester resident, spoke in favor of the item
8. Gordon Duncan, Worcester resident, spoke in favor of the item
9. Emily Holdstein, Worcester resident, spoke neither in favor nor opposed the item
10. Anita Kostecki, Worcester resident, spoke in favor of the item
11. Ivonne Reyes, Worcester resident, spoke in favor of the item
12. Kim Ciborowski, Worcester resident, spoke in favor of the item
13. Michael Comer, Worcester resident, spoke in favor of the item
14. Julie McCall, Worcester resident, spoke in opposition to the item
15. Valerie Daniels, Worcester resident, spoke neither in favor nor opposed the item
Chairperson Councilor Colorio brought forth the following Chairman’s Order: Request City Manager request Commissioner of Public Works and Parks send public notices to residents to communicate the reason why the locations were chosen to install speed humps.
Chairperson Councilor Colorio recognized Councilor Haxhiaj, who discussed the public feedback concerning the locations and the efficacy of the speed humps, challenges relative to removing and storing the speed humps and measuring the efficacy of the speed humps with the Commissioner of Public Works and Parks.
Chairperson Councilor Colorio recognized Councilor Nguyen, who discussed the importance of changing driving culture through the speed humps pilot program, educating residents on the decisions behind placement of the speed humps and painting a stop bar at the locations with the Commissioner of Public Works and Parks.
Chairperson Councilor Colorio recognized Speaker #8, who discussed the feasibility of using speed cameras to issue traffic citations with the WPD Lieutenant.
Chairperson Councilor Colorio recognized Speaker #5, who discussed the placement and design of the speed humps.
Chairperson Councilor Colorio brought forth the following Chairman’s Order: Request City Manager request Commissioner of Public Works and Parks provide City Council with a report concerning the feasibility of expanding the speed humps program to provide speed humps to six (6) streets per district and the approximate cost for the expansion, establishing a system for review of metrics, methods to remove speed humps signage, and notifying the residents of the speed humps process.
Chairperson Councilor Colorio moved to recommend the item be filed.
Recommend File | | | | | | | | Chairman's Orders | | | | Request City Manager request Commissioner of Public Works and Parks send public notices to residents to communicate the reason why the locations were chosen to install speed humps.
| | | | Request City Manager request Commissioner of Public Works and Parks provide City Council with a report concerning the feasibility of expanding the speed humps program to provide speed humps to six (6) streets per district and the approximate cost for the expansion, establishing a system for review of metrics, methods to remove speed humps signage, and notifying the residents of the speed humps process. | |
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