The Traffic Council voted to Approve (see Report) Items may be appealed through December 6, 2023:
- Request to remove a metered parking stall at195 Sumner Street to improve sightlines was approved 5-0. The parking space is less than 5 ft from Casselman House’s driveway.
- Request for 15 newly installed Rectangular Rapid Flashing Beacons (RRFB) to the Traffic and Parking Regulations was approved 5-0. The RRFB’s will be installed at the following locations:
- 1320 Centre Street
- Adams Street at Middle Street
- Beacon Street at Cold Springs Park
- Beacon Street at Newbury Street
- Centre Street at Allerton Road
- Centre Street at Newtonville Avenue
- Chestnut Street at Amherst Road
- Commonwealth Avenue at Irving Street
- Commonwealth Avenue at Manet Road
- Cypress Street at Braeland Avenue
- Lexington Street at Auburn Street
- Parker Street at Browning Road
- Tremont Street at Hibbard Road
- Walnut Street at Duncklee Street
- Waverly Avenue at Lorna Road
- A Rectangular Rapid Flashing Beacon at the intersection of Crafts St at Albemarle Road was approved 5-0. The RRFB will be moved from Watertown St at Eddy and Elliot. It will be installed temporarily until a new traffic signal is installed in FY2026. A resident requested the flex posts be re-installed at the location also.
- Continuation of the trial closure of the northbound block of Albemarle Road to vehicular traffic, in both directions, between Crafts Street and North Street, except for bicycles was approved 5-0. The road will remain accessible to City vehicles for cleaning and snow removal.
The Traffic Council voted to deny the following:
- A trial restricting access to Centre Street southerly from Walnut Street to all vehicles except bicycles was denied 5-0. This was a citizen petition filed because the traffic queues are too long at the newly installed traffic light at Centre Street and Route 9. The Traffic Council received many emails and calls in opposition and voted to deny.
The Traffic Council voted No Action Necessary on the following:
- A request for a trial closure of Albemarle Road southbound at North Street between North Street (Newtonville) and Maynard Street was voted No Action Necessary (NAN) 4-0, Councilor Downs not voting.
- Request to convert Albemarle Road between North Street and Crafts Street (western leg) to a 2-way traffic circulation pattern; add a “Do Not Enter” restriction at the intersection of Albemarle Road at Crafts Street; add a “right turn only” restriction from Albemarle Road Southbound onto Crafts Street; and add a stop sign at the intersection of Albemarle Road at North Street was voted No Action Necessary (NAN) 4-0, Councilor Downs not voting.
The two citizen petitions were discussed together. Concerns that trucks would not be able to get through, parking would need to be removed, it would promote illegal vehicle movement, residents would have an inconvenient journey to their homes and it would just shift the problem to another location. Fire and Police Departments and 10 emails from the public did not support the proposals, 1 email was in support. Public comments were mixed. Many expressed frustration in waiting years for traffic calming solutions in the area.