HomeMy WebLinkAbout2004-12-04 Board of Selectmen Minutes Board of Selectmen Meeting
December 4,2004
The meeting convened at 1:00 p.m. at the Senior Center, 49 Pleasant Street, Reading,
Massachusetts. Present were Chairman Richard Schubert, Vice Chairman Camille
Anthony, Secretary Gail Wood, Selectmen Joseph Duffy and George.Hines, Town
Manager Peter Hechenbleikner, and the following list of interested parties: Paul Pirain,
Joanne Senders, Beverly Daly, Paul Feely, Grossi Family, Kenneally Family, Robert
Brown, George Koutsoufis, Terry and Andy Bramhall, Mark and Tora Giardina, Joan
Kingston, Virginia and Charles Adams, Peter and Ingrid Liebermann, Steve McLaughlin,
Asha Kamat, Susanne Martin, Bonita Rup, Jim Quigley, Joyce Kirk, Ken and .Gail
Toomajian, Lisa and Geoffrey Howie.
The meeting 'was open for residents to present comments and concerns that they had
about traffic in:the "John Street' neighborhood. Notices of the meeting were sent to all
property-owners in the area bounded by Salem Street, Main Street, the railroad track
and the Wakefield Town Line.
The following is a summary of the comments which were made:
♦ A question was raised regarding the adequacy of the 300-foot notification
requirements for meetings. The concern was that with large projects, people do not
know what is going on and that the notification requirements should be
expanded. Also that boards and committees need to protect the public interest.
♦ A new access road through to either Ash Street or.Goodall Sanford Road should be
investigated.
♦ Truck traffic has been observed turning around in John Street and/or Lakeview
Avenue.
♦ A general concern was expressed _about cut through traffic and speeding in the
neighborhood.
♦ Traffic from Jordan's causes backups onto 128.
♦ There used to be a stop sign at the bottom of the 128 ramp that is now a yield.
♦ Car carriers at 128 Ford are unloading on Walkers Brook Drive forcing traffic to the
left.
♦ There is inadequate signage at the lane drop at General Way.
♦ It was noted that the corner of Washington Street and Village Street is dangerous.
♦ Saturday and Sunday traffic is the worst.
♦ Residents have observed trucks cutting down Green Street, Village Street and John
Street.
Board of Selectmen Meeting—December 4, 2004—Page 2
♦ The timing of the light at Washington Street and Main Street does not allow enough
green time for Washington Street westbound.
♦ There was a complaint about trucks using Washington Street at night.
♦ The speed limit should be lowered on Washington Street.
o Traffic cuts through the neighborhood on Elliot Street and Village Street when
Washington Street backs up.
s The Town should use our traffic consultant to evaluate neighborhood issues and
solutions.
Do not enter signs on Elliot Street and Village Street was suggested.
♦ Saturday cut through traffic from Salem to Walkers Brook Drive is a problem.
A right turn only coining out of General Way was suggested.
s The traffic lights at the Home Depot provide too much green for the development
and not enough for Walkers Brook Drive.
♦ The Town should work towards a Washington Street bypass.
The Town needs to look at the broader picture rather than using a band-aid approach.
♦ Another resident complained about lack of notification.
♦ There is a lack of sidewalks in the neighborhood.
♦ The Town needs-to develop a master plan of the area.
® Concerns were expressed about children's safety in the neighborhood.
♦ A shuttle system should be provided from this area to the Downtown and Depot.
The Town should consider removing the Do Not Enter signs on Salem Street.
® Pedestrian traffic needs to be taken into consideration.
♦ Development is causing us to lose sight of the Town's character.
On motion by Hines seconded by Anthony, the Board of Selectmen voted to adjourn
their meeting of December 4,2004 at 2:40 P.m. by a vote of 5-0-0.
Respectfully submitted,
Secretary