Traffic Safety Committee New Business

Transcription

1 Traffic Safety Committee September 23, 2014 The Traffic Safety Committee met at 8:30 a.m. on Tuesday, September 23, 2014 in the classroom located on the lower level of the Municipal Center. The meeting commenced with Chairman John Stella, Highway Superintendent Anthony Zep Thomaselli, Member Tony Furco, Planning Board representative Gary Barrack, Police Chief Doug Solomon, Fire Chief Gary VanVoorhis, Councilmembers Peggy Ross and Pam Weatherbee in attendance. New Business Brian Quinn, 12 Coffey Avenue, provided a presentation to the committee outlining his concerns regarding conditions that exist along Route 9D between Teller Avenue and Dinan Street, Sargent Avenue near the school, and offered several suggestions for improvement. He reported experiencing many close calls while biking and walking with the baby stroller, in addition to seeing many accidents in the area. The following items were listed as concerns: No crosswalk at Teller Avenue Poor or no curbs along Route 9D Poor visibility along Route 9D (hill, curve, no curb) Poor visibility at the intersection of Beskin Place and Sargent Avenue due to wood fence No sidewalk / safe walk or bike zone on Sargent Avenue Trash cans and parking on sidewalk in front of Route 9D Confusing intersection at Teller Avenue and Route 9D Mr. Quinn felt this intersection and area is an essential central core to the City and consideration should be given to future improvements. He provided the following list as potential solutions: Sidewalk repair New sidewalk Crosswalks at Dinan Street, South Chestnut Street, Coffey Avenue and Teller Avenue Plow-proof reflectors in the road Painted shoulder lines Speed limit reduction and enforcement Move the End School Speed Limit Zone sign further downhill Volunteer or City landscaping and paths on the triangle at Teller Avenue and Route 9D Seasonal center line signage (similar to new sign in front of Bank Square on Main Street) New sidewalk on south side of Route 9D Traffic light at Teller Avenue or a roundabout Traffic Safety Committee 1 September 23, 2014

2 In addition, Mr. Quinn suggested creating a committee to address bicycle and pedestrian safety, and to create a comprehensive improvement plan for the entire City. Mr. Thomaselli explained crosswalks link one sidewalk to another which makes placement difficult in that there are no sidewalks on Sargent Avenue. He reported school officials want children to enter from Education Drive rather than walk down Sargent Avenue. Historically a crossing guard is posted in that location for safety concerns although very few children cross in that area. Consideration was given to adding a crosswalk to signify drivers that pedestrians may be crossing in that location. Discussion took place with regard to the reconstruction of Teller Avenue which is a state controlled roadway, however those improvements are 4-5 years out. The new design was created by state hired engineers, with input from the City s engineering firm. Mayor Casale reported at one time funds were secured to install sidewalks on Sargent Avenue however due to public outcry at the time about payment and maintenance the City Council decided to abandon the plan. He supported the idea of seeking grant funds to conduct a basic study of the area. Further Mayor Casale reported this particular section of Route 9D is the only portion that has not been reconstructed. He explained the state s initial design for the Arterial on North Avenue included this section but again, due to public outcry, the project ended at South Avenue. Since then the southerly section of Route 9D has been reconstructed, therefore he will push to seek state support and funding for this section. Mr. Stella reported the problem with the recently installed wood fence at the intersection of Beskin Place can be brought to the attention of Code Enforcement to see if it complies with regulations regarding intersection sight distance. A general discussion took place about problems of design, human error, signage, street painting lines, speed limits, school zones, speeding tickets, curbing and prioritizing this section of 9D to get it on a master plan for road reconstruction. Mayor Casale reported in the near future City Council will begin a comprehensive look at crosswalks throughout the City, with intention to set up an ad hoc committee. He invited Mr. Quinn to begin discussions on this with others that may be interested and suggested creating a video about bicycle and pedestrian safety for broadcast on local Channel 22. Police Chief Solomon reported his staff issues nearly 300 tickets each month mainly for speeding, not crosswalk violations. Mayor Casale reported the City will also be adopting complete street design standards so that future road reconstruction is done in a manner safe to both vehicles and pedestrians. He pointed out that Beacon is an old city with many problems and little money. Mr. Quinn thanked the Committee and Councilmembers for their time and input on the matter, explaining he was optimistic that any possible changes will be made, as well as considerations given toward future changes. Councilmember Weatherbee sent correspondence outlining concerns in her Ward to the City Administrator earlier in the month, and suggested contact information for the Traffic Safety Committee be added to the website. Her correspondence and consequent discussion of each item follows: Traffic Safety Committee 2 September 23, 2014

3 Liberty Street, Grove Street, and Leonard Street A resident who lives on the corner keeps witnessing cars going in the wrong direction on Grove Street, so these cars would be coming north on Leonard Street (the wrong way) and making the only turn onto Grove Street and then not stopping at the intersection of Liberty because they are going the wrong way this whole time and no stop sign since they are going wrong way. She has noticed this happens at least 12 times on the weekends, and most notably when there is an event at the Roundhouse. I did view there are one way sign at Leonard and Amity, where one of the Roundhouse exits is, but this doesn't seem to be working and being there is a school and school playground, it is a concern. In addition, but I think it was addressed, at the corner of Grove at Liberty, coming from Washington Ave, the stop sign was not visible due to overgrown bush. The resident said you are welcome to contact her. Her name is Linda Kodilanen at 80 Liberty Street, her phone is Members discussed the problem and noted faded signs may need replacement. Mr. Thomaselli also suggested a sign across from the Roundhouse driveway indicating the street is one-way so people don t take a left when exiting. Liberty Street Liberty Street - similar area as above - this road also has cars going the wrong way, has major speed issues and cars parked illegally at the daycare housed at St Joachim as the pickup/drop off seems to be on Liberty St BUT there is no parking on Liberty for this to be done. Since Forrestal School is now back in section, and there are many children walking this route, and the sidewalks weren't replaced this summer, this is an area of concern. Linda from above has this concern also. Beyond the speeding problem, it was noted that parents tend to drop off children at the daycare facility on the left side of the street where there is no parking. Parents should be directed to drop off children on the other side of the building in the parking lot which where it is safer. Concerns were raised because emergency vehicles cannot get through the street when cars are parked on both sides of the street. The sidewalk reconstruction project being done in conjunction with the NYS Department of Transportation has been in the works however will not likely be done until Herbert Street Herbert Street, both at Main Street and Blackburn Avenue - now that the road construction is almost complete, the new road striping and lack (and removal) of permanent Stop, Yield and Dead End signs have made these two intersections a concern, especially for strangers/tourists to town who don't know how you are supposed to drive on those roads there. An awkward drive but being here a long time, you know how it is done... many don't. Councilmember Weatherbee reported since the reconstruction of Herbert Street, Main Street appears to stop since the Dead End sign and pavement markings were removed during construction many don t know the street continues on Herbert. Mr. Thomaselli reported that since the project s completion Stop signs were replaced and street lines were painted. He will check to see that the Dead End sign is replaced. Blackburn Avenue Blackburn Avenue - Near Ron's Ice Cream. I actually noticed this while driving then within a couple of days a resident addressed the same area. I recommend no parking signs from the Traffic Safety Committee 3 September 23, 2014

4 opposite side of the entrance to Ron's Ice Cream shop to Route 52. There isn't enough room for the cars to drive up to the Route 52 intersection if cars are parked on the northern side, and with it being near the park and an outside ice cream shop, the pedestrians could be in further danger if the cars can't even get around each other on a busy intersection. Councilmember Weatherbee suggested adding No Parking Here to Corner signs along Blackburn Avenue since there are currently no signs; they would help ease congestion at the intersection. Mountain Lane Mountain Lane - The sign that says No Authorized Vehicles is not placed correctly, as this is supposed to be on the dirt road (Mt Beacon Monument Rd where the gate used to be) The sign right now is located on 1 Mountain Lane before the stream and makes no sense in placement as it faces Mountain Lane. This sign should be placed at the entrance to Mt Beacon Monument Rd. There is a huge issue with the Unauthorized Vehicles that are now using the road, at the very least we should have the sign placed correctly so we can ticket vehicles that go in/come out of that road, and with that increase police patrol in that area especially during nice weekends. We are probably talking vehicles in one weekend easy in the nice weather that should NOT be driving on that road, and we aren't even addressing the ATV or dirt bikes. With the house, located in Fishkill off the Monument Rd, has not allowed for the gate to be closed as it had been in previous years. A lengthy discussion took place regarding vehicular traffic accessing the mountain via the access drive known as Monument Road. Councilmember Weatherbee felt the No Unauthorized Vehicles sign should be placed at the entrance of Monument Road rather than on Mountain Lane because it is confusing. Discussion took place regarding measures to prevent vehicles from accessing the mountain through this roadway. Pocket Road Pocket Road - A sign that says dawn to dusk only with penalties, etc. should be at the end of this road near the gate and parking areas, as the neighbors say vehicles constantly are parking in the dark up there and if you go up there, there are drug bags, etc. on the ground. We also need the police to add this dead end road to their regular patrol to discourage these vehicles that are parking there overnight at all hours. Members shared concerns for people parking overnight near Pocket Road, and for unwanted drug and sex activities. Police Chief Solomon visited the site and has increased patrols in the area. Debate took place that the benches and garbage cans placed near the fence are encouraging people to park and use the area. These amenities were put there for hikers and to decrease the amount of litter that gets strewn about however others are misusing them. Discussion turned back to Monument Road in terms of enforcement to prevent trespassing on the mountain. Councilmember Weatherbee indicated there is traffic all times of the day and night however the Police Chief needs to know peak times in order to combat the problem. The gate was once governed by Grace Hedges and only utility companies with equipment on the mountain had keys to access the roadway. The property has since been sold to Charlotte Guernsey who owns a home at the top of the mountain and she has many visitors (Air B & B and Yoga). There is no enforcement authority once vehicles pass the gate and a lengthy Traffic Safety Committee 4 September 23, 2014

5 discussion took place regarding options to locate a locked gate within sight of the road keys would be given only to authorized individuals. Leonard Street Mayor Casale advised members that traffic on Leonard Street will be increasing with proposed construction of residential buildings next to the Roundhouse development. Mr. Thomaselli suggested widening the road to allow parking on the Roundhouse side of the street. Mr. Stella recalled a letter of advisement was previously sent to the Planning Board with regard to this project which recommended Leonard Street be widened and remain one-way, and that Amity Street remain a two-way street. Fire Chief VanVoorhis suggested the entrance to the complex should be made wide enough to handle emergency and fire vehicles. Additionally, utility poles recently replaced may be an obstacle if widening takes place. Old Business Tioronda Avenue low lying wires Mr. Thomaselli reported Verizon verified the low lying lines at Tioronda Avenue (intersection of South Avenue) are active. They indicated the lines would be raised however nothing has been done to date. Mr. Stella asked that a letter be sent to the Public Service Commission requesting Verizon to raise the lines, and report that they have not responded to the City s concerns for safety and safe access by emergency vehicles. A letter will be sent as requested. Mr. Stella reviewed minutes and items discussed at the last meeting. The proposed municipal parking lot off Churchill Street, part of the One East Main project, was discussed. Initial suggestions included making Spring Valley Street one-way out to Route 9D however that configuration may severely impact emergency vehicles. Planning Board representative Gary Barrack felt discussion at this point may be premature as negotiations are not yet finalized with between the applicant and the City. He reported discussion at the Planning Board level was to make the parking accessible for entry only from Churchill Street with exit onto East Main Street. This item will be reviewed further as development plans progress. Mr. Stella asked if the contractor doing Brownfield clean up near Tioronda Avenue has been keeping the road clean of dirt. Mr. Thomaselli reported they will be beginning again and a DEC representative is on site to monitor their work. If they do not keep the street clean, Mr. Thomaselli will contact the project manager to let them know the City will take the matter up with the DEC directly. New Business O Dell Street Christine Klein, owner of East Main Street and 203 East Main Street, wrote to request review of the parking situation on O Dell Street, specifically during snow events. This is a small street that links East Main to Falconer Street and historically tenants were permitted to park off the street during snow ordinance periods without impacting the Highway Department during their snow removal. Since the road was repaved No Parking Here to Corner signs were posted to make certain the Fire ladder truck could get through safely. Now tenants are getting Traffic Safety Committee 5 September 23, 2014

6 ticketed for parking along the street during snow events which creates a burden as they have no other place to park. The Police Chief will call or send her an regarding the situation. Ad Hoc Parking Committee Mayor Casale reported he will be putting together an Ad Hoc parking committee to look at parking on and off Main Street, both municipal and private lots. He asked one member of the Committee to join and Mr. Stella and Mr. Furco volunteered. Councilmember Peggy Ross advised them that they will need to factor in parking regulations already established for Main Street. She noted requirements were lowered to encourage other forms of transportation however in light of the proposed project at 344 Main Street, it appears that the City is sending one message and demanding something else. Mayor Casale reported he will begin by discussing the process with the City Council before creating a committee. Discussion took place regarding a parking attendant for Main Street, and that they can also assist with crosswalk infractions. Towing Bid Mr. Stella raised concern that there has been no efforts to create a new towing bid and winter is soon approaching. Mayor Casale advised discussion with the Town of Fishkill as they are having problems with lawsuits. A potential bidder for the City of Beacon, Mann s Towing, recently went out of business. A solution to the problem is not as easy as it appears because the Mayor does not want cars towed 25 miles away from the City. Police Chief Solomon also indicated the current tower also has problems towing four-wheel drive vehicles. There were no additional items to discuss and the next meeting is scheduled for 8:30 a.m. on Tuesday, October 28, The meeting adjourned at 9:37 a.m. Traffic Safety Committee 6 September 23, 2014