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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1987_10_20 Traffic Committee Minutes MINUTES OF A REGULAR MEETING OF THE TRAFFIC COMMI'rrhE OF THE TOWN OF MAMARONECK HELD ON TUESDAY, OCTOBER 20, 1987 AT 8:00 P.M. IN THE COURT ROOM OF THE TOWN CENTER, 740 WEST BOSTON POST ROAD, MAMARONECK, NEW YORK. PRESENT: Martin Zavell, Chairman Richard Mari Edward F.X. Ryan Anthony Math Leslie Schlom ALSO PRESENT: Stephen V. Altieri, Town Administrator Police Commissioner, Arthur Dallas Thomas Amlicke, Town Councilman The chairman called the meeting to order at 8:00 p.m. Approval of Minutes On a motion from Mr. Ryan, seconded by Mr. Schlom and carried unanimously,the minutes of September 14, 1987 were approved as written. Intersection-Murray Ave. , Myrtle Blvd. & Chatsworth Ave. Mr. Zavell stated that Chief Baumblatt reported on this intersection -it the meeting last week. Mr. Altieri stated that the information in the packets to committee members covers some of the concerns which came up at the meeting with Mr. Davis, the traffic consultant. Mr. Altieri also reported that any recommendations made would be submitted to the traffic committee before the public meeting. Ned Ryan pointed out that the solution offered in Mr. Davis' suggestions are distinctly different than the committee's recommendation. Mr. Altieri suggested that the committee meet with Mr. Davis before firm decisions are made. It was agreed that the committee would like their views of turn lanes heard before Mr. Davis finalizes his suggestions. Steve Altieri suggested that Mr. Davis be given copies of past minutes which outline committee rec- omendations. Mr. Zavell asked that a sub-committee be set up to meet with Mr. Davis. It was agreed that members of the sub-committee are as follows: Anthony Math, Ned Ryan and Les Schlom. Mr. Ryan will be chairman of the sub- committee and will be responsible for getting copies of pertinent minutes to Mr. Davis. Mr. Mari asked if any traffic surveys have been done since the lights have been put in. Mr. Altieri stated that a traffic count was done by Coughlin this past Spring. Stop Sign-Intersection Myrtle Blvd. & Preston St. John Russo of 71 Myrtle Blvd. stated that at the last meeting increased surveillance was recommended. Mr. Russo stated that surveillance slacked off after a week or so and speeding increased again. Mr. Ryan reported that he saw police cars there twice last week. Commissioner Dallas stated that this will be an issue of increased enforcement for thirty days. Peter Perciasepe of 96 Myrtle Blvd. stated that there is only one speed limit sign on this street. Mr. Altieri stated that he will speak with Mr. Leddy regarding the need for speed limit signs at this location. Commissioner Dallas stated that he will be prepared to report on the outcome of the increased surveillance at the next meeting. Since residents have questioned the need for the street being a one way, the police commissioner reported that the purpose of the one way street on Preston was due to police headquarters being located on Edgewood Ave. The Commissioner recommended that the one way sign be removed since it is 'no .Tanger necessary.. 1 Y Town of Mamaroneck Traffic Committee October 20, 1987 Page 2 Stop Sign-Intersection Myrtle Blvd. & Preston St. (cont. ) Mr. Mari reported that in some communities vacant police cars are left as deterrents for speeders. Commissioner Dallas reported that this has been found to be an unsound idea due to theft and vandalism. Rockland Avenue-Parking Near Badger Day Camp Commissioner Dallas reported that after studying the area, the police department recommends that no parking on Rockland Ave. near Badger Day Camp be posted. Mr. Ryan stated that he would like to get some feedback from residents in the area. Mr. Altieri's office will notify residents who would be affected so they may voice their opinions at the November meeting. This will be put on the agenda for the November meeting. Request Stop Sign-Shadow Lane and Harrison Drive Mr. Schlom received a phone call from a resident who feels there was a stop sign on this corner which has now been removed. Mr. Schlom suggested that this be looked into. If the stop sign was previously there, it should be replaced. If it was not, this matter can be put on the November agenda. Traffic on Howell Avenue Mr. Richard Hessel, president of the Howell Park Association, stated that he is looking for solutions to the existing problem. Mr. Hessel noted the increased police surveillance in the area this past week, but was rea'.istic in regard to the cost effectiveness of the police department being in this area on a constant basis. The association would like to see traffic stopped on Howell Ave. at Meadow Place and Hawthorne Avenue. Mr. Gordon Oppenheimer of 50 Howell Ave. , Mr. Steven Kroninberg of 66 Howell Ave. and Mr. Charles Buckwalter of 21 Howell Ave. agreed that they find it dangerous to drive from Hawthorne Ave. to Howell Ave. and continue to Meadow Place. They requested a stop sign be place on Howell Ave. at both Hawthorne Ave. and at Meadow Place. Mr. Oppenheimer stated that the stop signs as they are currently placed, create more of a problem because the traffic on Howell Ave. now knows they have the right of way. Barbara Cavanna, Bill Roehr and Paul Hoffman, all of Howell Park, agreed with this assessment. Mr. Amlicke suggested that I-Iwell Ave. be made a one way from Weaver St. to Meadow Place, thereby insuring that traffic would not cut through to come out on Weaver Street. Residents were not in favor of the suggestion for several reasons including the fact that the problem would still exist in the opposite direction. Richard Mari discussed changes needed at the intersection of Weaver St. and Palmer Ave. to make the intersection easier to traverse and therefore,alleviating the problem of traffic cutting through Howell Park. Mr. Zavell turned the meeting over to Commissioner Dallas in order to allow him to explain why stop signs were placed where they were. Manuals of Uniform Traffic Devices in N.Y. State were passed to residents to explain why signs were placed in the existing locations. Commissioner Dallas assured the residents Town of Mamaroneck Traffic Committee October 20, 1987 Page 3 Traffic on Howell Avenue (cont. ) that he has called for strict traffic enforcement in this area. He also stated that he is very sure that by enforcement on a daily basis during commuter hours will bring about the desired change in traffic flow. Residents also stated that the No Through Traffic Signs are too small to be noticed by traffic. Mr. Zavell polled the committee as to their feelings regarding changing the stop signs to Howell Avenue. Mr. Ryan stated that he believes the problem is the violation of the no through traffic signs. He agrees with Commissioner Dallas' suggestion. Mr. Ryan also stated that he feels the problem lies in the fact that the intersection of Weaver St. and Palmer Ave. is so difficult to go through. He would like to see the intersection improved. Mr. Schlom feels that there will be a false sense of security instilled if the stop signs were placed on Howell Ave. He recommends that the committee follow the police commissioner's suggestion. Mr. Mari agrees that the intersection needs improvement. He stated that he does not feel stop signs placed on Howell Ave. are appropriate for the same reasons Mr. Schlom stated. He does not feel that cars will make full stops. Mr. Math stated that although the committee is anxious to satisfy requests of residents from each area, the committee can not recommend using stop signs to control speeding. Mr. Zavell agreed with the commissioner's suggestion and thanked him for his time and effort Mr. Zavell reported that after considerable discussion with residents of Howell Park and Commissioner Dallas, it has been agreed that the police department will give concentrated enforcement to encourage compliance with the posted traffic signs and that residents are welcome to return to let the committee know if they feel these efforts have solved the problem. Mr. Zavell also stated that the committee recommends larger No Through Traffic signs replace the existing signs. On a motion from Edward F.X. Ryan, seconded by Anthony Math and carried unanimously, the following recommendation was made to the Town Board: Town officials meet with State officials to study improvements at the intersection of Weaver Street and Palmer Avenue including the possibility of widening the intersection. Fenimore Road - Various Items As requested by the residents, this issue was adjourned to the November meeting. New Business No Parking on Palmer Ave. West of High School Parking Lot Mr. Ron Benizio brought to Commissioner Dallas' attention the difficulty in exiting the parking lot of the High School onto Palmer Avenue. After discussion, the following motion was made by Richard Mari, seconded by Martin Zavell and carried unanimously: The traffic committee recommends to the Town Board that parking be restricted from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. weekdays on Palmer Ave. , West of the High School driveway by relocating the current No Parking Here to Corner sign approximately four parking spaces west of its present position and include the wording "8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. weekdays". Town of Mamaroneck Traffic Committee October 20, 1987 Page 4 Next Meeting Date It was agreed that the next meeting of the traffic committee will be on November 24th at 8:00 p.m. Adjournment On a motion from Anthony Math, seconded by Richard Mari and carried unanimously, the meeting adjourned at 9:50 p.m. Respectfully submitted by Cynthia Rocchio