Committee Report - Public Health - 12-6-10 — File 190535

December 6, 2010 Public Health and Public Safety Committee Page 1 of 2 Printed 12/8/2010 REPORT OF THE PUBLIC HEALTH AND PUBLIC SAFETY COMMITTEE Attendee Name Title Status Arrived William A. White Jr. Chair Present Rebekah L. Gewirtz Vice Chair Present John M Connolly Alderman At Large Present Sean T. O’Donovan Ward Five Alderman Present Omar Boukili Administrative Assistant Present Stan Koty DPW Commissioner Present Matthew Dias Director of Traffic and Parking Present Terry Smith Traffic Engineer Present Michael Lambert Director of Transportation and Infrastructure Present John Lozada MA DOT Present David Giangrande Design Consultants, Inc. Present 190370 - That the Director of Traffic and Parking appear before this Board’s Committee on Traffic and Parking regarding vehicles exiting from Clyde Street onto Cedar Street.: The committee discussed the safety concerns of residents regarding some urban connectors in Ward 5, especially Clyde, Cedar and Lowell Streets. Residents stated concern that the problems will increase when the MaxPak site is developed. Mr. Smith acknowledged that both the north and south lines of sight are restricted and he suggested that parking should be restricted to allow for better visibility. Such a restriction would have to be approved by the Traffic and Parking Commission. Mr. Smith noted that historical data indicated that there has been one accident per year at this location since 1990 and added that funding is available for a traffic calming table and a bump out. Alderman O’Donovan’s motion that the Traffic and Parking Commission explore the feasibility of creating a chicane on Cedar Street, (alternating the side of the street on which parking is permitted by segments) was approved. RESULT: KEPT IN COMMITTEE Next: 12/31/2010 12:00 AM 190375 - That the Commissioner of Public Works appear before the Committee on Public Health and Public Safety to discuss the impact of the use of brick cross walks, their impact on the handicapped community, the measures in place to ensure that such cross walks

Committee Meeting December 6, 2010 Public Health and Public Safety Committee Page 2 of 2 Printed 12/8/2010 comply with all state regulations and whether such cross walks should be used in future road work.: The committee discussed the use of bricks in crosswalks and heard from state officials, design consultants, community activists, and residents regarding the pros and cons. Several letters, comments and photos were presented and included in this record. Alderman Connolly asked that repairs to 5 areas in Davis Square be made immediately. Mr. Koty informed the members that repairs are being made as soon as possible, noting that the city only has one brick layer. Chairman White requested that a list of planned street construction projects be provided to the committee and requested that the committee be notified in advance of the hearing regarding the plans for the reconstruction of Davis Square will take place. Members of the public spoke against the use of brick for crosswalks because of their impact on the disabled and the fact that many communities have discontinued using such sidewalks. Alderman O’Donovan’s motion that the Commissioner of Public Works provide the committee with a listing of ramps that have been requested to be made ADA compliant, indicating those that have been completed, was approved. Chairman White’s motion that the Commissioner of Public Works devise and implement an ordinary maintenance plan and a regular inspection schedule of brick crosswalks in the city, was approved. Chairman White’s motion that the Director of Transportation and Infrastructure consult with Mr. Robert Estrelle, (City of Boston Public Works Department) for input relative to the Davis Square project, was approved. RESULT: KEPT IN COMMITTEE Next: 12/31/2010 12:00 AM 190419 - That the Director of Traffic and Parking appear before the Committee on Public Health and Public Safety to discuss speeding on the south side of the Lowell Street Bridge.: Mr. Smith discussed the speed limit and told the members that a crosswalk at this site is not a good idea because of the speed at which cars travel over the bridge and the fact that they might not be able to stop in time if there was a crosswalk. Mr. Smith believed that this is an enforcement issue and he spoke about ways to reduce the speed of vehicles, noting that the developers of the MaxPak site would be paying for a traffic calming table. Chairman White suggested a crosswalk further down Lowell Street with appropriate signage at the top of the bridge. Mr. Smith will report back to the committee with suggestions. RESULT: KEPT IN COMMITTEE Next: 12/31/2010 12:00 AM