CITY OF WORCESTER | Traffic and Parking Committee Meeting | Wednesday, January 18, 2023 | Esther Howland (South) Chamber | Convened: 4:00 P.M. | Adjourned: 5:45 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 Donna M Colorio
Councilor Etel Haxhiaj, who participated in the meeting remotely
Councilor Thu Nguyen | | | | | Also: | Councilor Sean Rose
Commissioner of Transportation and Mobility Stephen Rolle
WPD Lieutenant Timothy Walsh
Assistant City Clerk Luis Castillo
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 December 21, 2022. | View Agenda | | | | | | | Chairperson Councilor Colorio read the item and moved for a roll call vote to adopt the item. Order adopted on a roll call vote of 3 Yeas and 0 Nays | |
| 3. | Handicap Parking Petitions | |
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| | | 3a. | Antonio Martinez request installation of handicap parking space in front of 1 Woodbine St.
# 8h CC December 20, 2022 | Attachments | | | | | | | Chairperson Councilor Colorio read the item and recognized the following speaker:
1. Cathy Martinez, Worcester resident, spoke in favor of the item
Chairperson Councilor Colorio recognized the Commissioner of Transportation and Mobility, who provided the recommendation to approve.
Chairperson Councilor Colorio moved for a roll call vote to accept the recommendation.
Recommend Approval on a roll call vote of 3 Yeas and 0 Nays | |
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| | | 3b. | Sandra Carlson request installation of a handicap parking space in front of 30 Kosta St.
# 7b CC December 13, 2022 | Attachments | | | | | | | Chairperson Councilor Colorio read the item and recognized the following speaker:
1. Sandra Carlson, Worcester resident, spoke in favor of the item
Chairperson Councilor Colorio recognized the Commissioner of Transportation and Mobility, who provided the recommendation to approve, pending the petitioner providing proof of their handicap placard.
Chairperson Councilor Colorio moved for a roll call vote to accept the recommendation.
Recommend Approval on a roll call vote of 3 Yeas and 0 Nays | |
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| | | 3c. | Melanie von Bitter request removal of handicap parking space in front of 14 Crown St.
# 10c CC December 6, 2022 | Attachments | | | | | | | Chairperson Councilor Colorio read the item and recognized the Commissioner of Transportation and Mobility, who provided the recommendation to approve.
Chairperson Councilor Colorio moved for a roll call vote to accept the recommendation.
Recommend Approval on a roll call vote of 3 Yeas and 0 Nays | |
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| | | 3d. | Scherley Beauvais request installation of handicap parking space across from 28 Mendon St.
# 10e CC December 6, 2022 | Attachments | | | | | | | Chairperson Councilor Colorio read the item and recognized the Commissioner of Transportation and Mobility, who provided the recommendation to approve.
Chairperson Councilor Colorio moved for a roll call vote to accept the recommendation.
Recommend Approval on a roll call vote of 3 Yeas and 0 Nays | |
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| | | 3e. | Mary Sisko request installation of handicap parking space in front of 52 Plantation St.
# 9d CC November 22, 2022
In Committee December 21, 2022 - Held
| Attachments | | | | | | | Chairperson Councilor Colorio read the item and recognized the Commissioner of Transportation and Mobility, who provided the recommendation to hold, as a handicap placard from the petitioner has not yet been provided and the requested location is in a permanent winter parking ban and therefore an alternative location should be determined.
Chairperson Councilor Colorio then discussed the notification process for the petitioner with the Commissioner of Transportation and Mobility.
Chairperson Councilor Colorio recognized the following speaker:
1. Beatriz Delatto, Worcester resident, spoke concerning the item
Chairperson Councilor Colorio recognized the Commissioner of Transportation and Mobility, who spoke concerning the needs to discuss the handicap parking space and determination of an alternative location relative to the winter parking ban with Speaker #1.
Chairperson Councilor Colorio recognized the Deputy City Clerk, who discussed the public notification process for residents abutting the requested handicap parking space location.
Chairperson Councilor Colorio moved for a roll call vote to accept the recommendation.
Recommend Hold on a roll call vote of 3 Yeas and 0 Nays | |
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| | | 3f. | Anthony Madison request installation of handicap parking space in front of 5 Berkeley St.
# 8k CC October 25, 2022
In Committee December 21, 2022 - Held
| Attachments | | | | | | | Chairperson Councilor Colorio read the item and recognized the Commissioner of Transportation and Mobility, who provided the recommendation to approve.
Chairperson Councilor Colorio moved for a roll call vote to accept the recommendation.
Recommend Approval on a roll call vote of 3 Yeas and 0 Nays | |
| 4. | Crosswalk and Lighted Crosswalk System Petitions | |
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| | | 4a. | Maria Montano request installation of pedestrian crossing signage at the intersection of Freeland St. and Cambridge St.
# 7c CC December 13, 2022 | Attachments | | | | | | | Chairperson Councilor Colorio read the item and recognized the Commissioner of Transportation and Mobility, who provided the recommendation to file, as pedestrian crossing of Freeland Street is under stop control and additional crossing signs are not appropriate and establishing a marked crosswalk is not recommended due to limited sight distance.
Chairperson Councilor Colorio recognized the following speaker:
1. Maria Montano, Worcester resident, spoke concerning the item
Chairperson Councilor Colorio moved for a roll call vote to accept the recommendation.
Recommend File on a roll call vote of 3 Yeas and 0 Nays | |
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| | | 4b. | Maria Montano request installation of a crosswalk on Cambridge St. in the vicinity of Freeland St. and Exeter St.
# 7d CC December 13, 2022 | Attachments | | | | | | | Chairperson Councilor Colorio read the item and recognized the Commissioner of Transportation and Mobility, who provided the recommendation to hold, as the west side of the intersection of Exeter Street at Cambridge Street is potentially suitable for a crosswalk but requires more detailed review of feasibility and identification of related crossing improvements, such as ADA ramps, curb extensions, and an RRFB.
Chairperson Councilor Colorio moved for a roll call vote to accept the recommendation.
Recommend Hold on a roll call vote of 3 Yeas and 0 Nays | |
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| | | 4c. | Maria Montano request installation of pedestrian crosswalk signage and/or crosswalk signal at the intersection of Richards St. and Cambridge St.
# 7f CC December 13, 2022 | Attachments | | | | | | | Chairperson Councilor Colorio read the item and recognized the Commissioner of Transportation and Mobility, who provided the recommendation to file, as pedestrian crossing of Freeland Street is under stop control and additional crossing signs are not appropriate and establishing a marked crosswalk is not recommended due to limited sight distance.
Chairperson Councilor Colorio moved for a roll call vote to accept the recommendation.
Recommend File on a roll call vote of 3 Yeas and 0 Nays | |
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| | | 4d. | Bayda Asbridge et al. request installation of flashing crosswalk lights at the pedestrian crossing in front of 75 Webster St.
# 10e CC November 29, 2022 | Attachments | | | | | | | Chairperson Councilor Colorio read the item and recognized the following speakers:
1. Christian Santos, no residence given, spoke in favor of the item
2. Lynn Simmons, Worcester resident, spoke in favor of the item
3. John Pagano, Paxton resident, spoke in favor of the item
Chairperson Councilor Colorio recognized the Commissioner of Transportation and Mobility, who discussed the assessment of the traffic challenges at the midblock crosswalk location.
Chairperson Councilor Colorio recognized Speaker #1, who discussed the usage of the midblock crosswalk in comparison to the nearby intersection crosswalk with the Commissioner of Transportation and Mobility.
Chairperson Councilor Colorio recognized the Commissioner of Transportation and Mobility, who provided the recommendation to approve, pending funding.
Chairperson Councilor Colorio recognized Councilor Haxhiaj, who discussed available technology to address the traffic challenges at the location with the Commissioner of Transportation and Mobility.
Chairperson Councilor Colorio recognized Councilor Nguyen, who discussed funding for installation of RRFBs with the Commissioner of Transportation and Mobility.
Chairperson Councilor Colorio moved for a roll call vote to accept the recommendation.
Recommend Approval on a roll call vote of 3 Yeas and 0 Nays | |
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| | | 4e. | Stephen Chabot request installation of flashing lights at the crosswalks in the vicinity of Forest Grove Middle School on Grove St.
# 8j CC November 15, 2022 | Attachments | | | | | | | Chairperson Councilor Colorio read the item and recognized the Commissioner of Transportation and Mobility, who provided the recommendation to file, as the location was approved previously for crosswalk installation, pending funding.
Chairperson Councilor Colorio moved for a roll call vote to accept the recommendation.
Recommend File on a roll call vote of 3 Yeas and 0 Nays | |
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| | | 4f. | Councilor Sean M. Rose request installation of a crosswalk across Chester St. at Holden St.
# 8h CC October 12, 2022 | Attachments | | | | | | | Chairperson Councilor Colorio read the item and recognized the Commissioner of Transportation and Mobility, who provided the recommendation to approve.
Chairperson Councilor Colorio moved for a roll call vote to accept the recommendation.
Recommend Approval on a roll call vote of 3 Yeas and 0 Nays | |
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| | | 4g. | Sebastian Pawlowicz request installation of crosswalk on Rexhame Rd.
# 9m CC September 20, 2022 | Attachments | | | | | | | Chairperson Councilor Colorio read the item and recognized the Commissioner of Transportation and Mobility, who provided the recommendation to hold, as more information needed from the petitioner.
Chairperson Councilor Colorio moved for a roll call vote to accept the recommendation.
Recommend Hold on a roll call vote of 3 Yeas and 0 Nays | |
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| | | 5a. | John Plouffe request installation of No Parking Anytime signage on the even side of Ives St.
# 8d CC December 20, 2022 | Attachments | | | | | | | Chairperson Councilor Colorio read the item and recognized the following speaker:
1. John Plouffe, Worcester resident, spoke in favor of the item
Chairperson Councilor Colorio recognized the Commissioner of Transportation and Mobility, who provided the recommendation to approve.
Chairperson Councilor Colorio moved for a roll call vote to accept the recommendation.
Recommend Approval on a roll call vote of 3 Yeas and 0 Nays | |
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| | | 5b. | Pamela Valdez request installation of "No Parking Anytime" on the even side of Clement St.
# 8g CC November 15, 2022 | Attachments | | | | | | | Chairperson Councilor Colorio read the item and recognized the following speaker:
1. Pamela Valdez, Worcester resident, spoke in favor of the item
2. Maria Montano, Worcester resident, spoke in favor of the item
3. Zoe Armstrong, Worcester resident, spoke concerning the item
4. Tammy Cahalle, Worcester resident, spoke in favor of the item
Chairperson Councilor Colorio recognized the Commissioner of Transportation and Mobility, who provided the recommendation to approve.
Chairperson Councilor Colorio recognized Councilor Nguyen, who discussed addressing the limited parking spaces and options with the Commissioner of Transportation and Mobility.
Chairperson Councilor Colorio recognized WPD Lieutenant, who discussed enforcement of No Parking Anytime signage with Speaker #1.
Chairperson Councilor Colorio moved for a roll call vote to accept the recommendation.
Recommend Approval on a roll call vote of 3 Yeas and 0 Nays | |
| 6. | One and Two-Way Street Reconfiguration Petitions | |
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| | | 6a. | Councilor Sean M. Rose request Tyson Rd. be made a one-way street, flowing westbound from Burncoat St. to West Boylston St.
# 8m CC August 9, 2022 | Attachments | | | | | | | Chairperson Councilor Colorio read the item and discussed the traffic challenges on Tyson Rd. and abutting residents feedback concerning making Tyson Rd. a one-way street.
Chairperson Councilor Colorio recognized the following speakers:
1. Dave Ford, Worcester resident, spoke concerning the item
2. Tom Genus, Holden resident, spoke concerning the item
3. Adam LaComfora, Grafton resident, spoke concerning the item
4. Andrew Hutchins, Worcester resident, spoke in favor of the item
5. Christine Graven, Worcester resident, spoke in favor of the item
6. Jose Rivera, Worcester resident, spoke in favor of the item
7. Shawn Seymour, Worcester resident, spoke in favor of the item
8. Ann Rysell, Worcester resident, spoke in favor of the item
9. Andrew Halliman, Worcester resident, spoke in favor of the item
Chairperson Councilor Colorio recognized Councilor Rose, who discussed the traffic challenges on Tyson Rd.
Chairperson Councilor Colorio recognized the WPD Lieutenant, who discussed traffic enforcement efforts on Tyson Rd. and the overall design of the street.
Chairperson Councilor Colorio recognized the Commissioner of Transportation and Mobility, who discussed normal application of one-way street conversion and relative effects on traffic in the neighborhood, proposed traffic study and proposed direction for the one-way street and process relative to installation of weight limitations on the street.
Chairperson Councilor Colorio recognized the Councilor Rose, who spoke concerning the item.
Chairperson Councilor Colorio moved to amend the item to read as follows, “Councilor Sean M. Rose request Tyson Rd. be made a one-way street, flowing eastbound from West Boylston St. to Burncoat St.”
Chairperson Councilor Colorio brought forth the following Chairman’s Order: Request City Manager request Director of Transportation and Mobility conduct a traffic study relative to the potential for making Tyson Rd. a one-way street, as well as the feasibility of banning truck traffic on said road.
Chairperson Councilor Colorio moved for a roll call vote to recommend the item be held as amended.
Recommend Hold as amended on a roll call vote of 3 Yeas and 0 Nays | | | | | | | | Chairman's Orders | | | | Request City Manager request Director of Transportation and Mobility conduct a traffic study relative to the potential for making Tyson Rd. a one-way street, as well as the feasibility of banning truck traffic on said road. | |
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| | | 7a. | Councilor Sarai Rivera on behalf of Ronald Holbrook request installation of a stop sign on the corner of Seymour St. and Millbury St.
# 8c CC December 20, 2022 | Attachments | | | | | | | Chairperson Councilor Colorio read the item and recognized the Commissioner of Transportation and Mobility, who provided the recommendation to hold, as an MUTCD Warrant analysis is needed to authorize installation of an all-way stop controlled intersection.
Chairperson Councilor Colorio moved for a roll call vote to accept the recommendation.
Recommend Hold on a roll call vote of 3 Yeas and 0 Nays | |
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| | | 7b. | Councilor Candy Mero-Carlson request flashing stop signs be installed in place of the existing stop signs at the intersection of Coburn Ave. and Lakeview St.
# 8m CC October 25, 2022 | Attachments | | | | | | | Chairperson Councilor Colorio read the item and recognized the Commissioner of Transportation and Mobility, who provided the recommendation to hold, as additional review of appropriate safety measures for this intersection is required, including improved signage and school zone markings.
Chairperson Councilor Colorio moved for a roll call vote to accept the recommendation.
Recommend Hold on a roll call vote of 3 Yeas and 0 Nays | |
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| | | 8a. | Councilor Morris A. Bergman request installation of a “Steep Hill” sign or similar signage on Eames Rd., opposite of Stanley Rd.
# 9i CC November 22, 2022 | Attachments | | | | | | | Chairperson Councilor Colorio read the item and recognized the Commissioner of Transportation and Mobility, who provided the recommendation to approve for installation of signage toward the top of the hill in accordance with MUTCD guidance.
Chairperson Councilor Colorio moved for a roll call vote to accept the recommendation.
Recommend Approval on a roll call vote of 3 Yeas and 0 Nays | |
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