The Traffic Council approved the following (see report and watch the meeting video):
- Request to add four new parking meters on the north side of Beacon Street between Saint Jude Gate and College Road (4–0). Intended to improve turnover and consistency in metered zones. The parking meters will also shorten an oversized left turn lane. Approved the language of TPR 985.
- Request to change to the parking regulations on Norman Road, including restricted parking between Memorial Day and Labor Day on Norman Road (4-0) The request was made by Norman Road residents Sonya Kurzweil and Dan Devileger. At public comment, neighbors spoke both for and against (concerned that the parking would move to their streets). The Police said Norman Road could be added to the residential permit program without difficulty. The current parking prohibition on the east side and the current two hour parking regulations on the west side of Norman Road will be maintained and a resident parking permit exemption added.
- Installation of a traffic signal at the eastbound/westbound Washington Street merge to the Centre Avenue bridge in Newton Corner (4-0) The new traffic signal would comprise one signal control point for two Washington Street westbound lanes continuing onto Centre Avenue bridge southbound, and a complementary signal control point for two Washington Street eastbound lanes continuing onto the Centre Avenue bridge southbound. The signal is part of the Newton Corner safety improvement plan with MassDOT. “Currently, pedestrians cannot walk along the southern sidewalk of Washington Street because there’s no safe way to cross. Pedestrians will now be able to cross over the triangular island to and from the hotel. This design will require the two traffic streams to take turns. The eastbound approach, coming from Church Street, is currently reduced to a single lane. It will be widened to a two lane approach. Benefits include pedestrian access and traffic safety. There is no new signal or crosswalk to the north side.” No member of the public commented.
- Request to add a “no turn on red’ sign on Commonwealth Avenue eastbound at Hammond Street to clarify intersection for drivers (4-0) Two members of the public spoke in support.
- Request to add a left lane must turn left restriction from Walnut Street southbound onto Homer Street eastbound for increased driver and bicyclist safety (4-0) Bike lane striping will be changed. Residents spoke for and against the proposal.
Approved items may be appealed through the close of business on July 2, 2025.
The Traffic Council voted No Action Necessary on the following:
- Request to continue the trial limiting access to Elm Road to residents, NNHS staff, buses, and bicyclists (4–0). Superseded by actions under TC20-25, which was held for a long-term trial.
The Traffic Council voted to Hold the following:
- Request to make Elm Road one-way westbound from Walnut Street to Lowell Avenue at all times for all vehicles (4–0). Intended to improve safety around school traffic and address noncompliance with existing restrictions. Resident suggestion for a contraflow bike lane was not supported. Mr. Codd stated it would be too dangerous. Held to allow for a long-term trial period.
- Request to change to the parking regulations on Howley Avenue to ensure access for emergency, trash and recycling vehicles (3-1, Koses opposed) Request was made by Waste Management. Howley Avenue is a very narrow, dead-end road and it is difficult to pick up trash when a vehicle is parked. It would also be difficult for emergency vehicles. A resident spoke in opposition. Held to discuss further with Waste Management, Fire Department and City.
- Request to prohibit parking on the east side of Walnut Street, from Fennor Road to a point 150 feet north of Fenno Road and on the east side of Walnut Street from a point 590 feet north of Fenno Road to Commonwealth Avenue (4-0) The change would improve left turn lane safety by removing a rarely used parking space on Walnut Street by Commonwealth Avenue. The trial parking prohibitions and removal on the east side of Walnut Street will be left to the discretion of the Transportation Director.
Attendees: David Koses (Chair, DPW), Ned Codd (DPW), Captain Devine (Police), Mitchell Fischman (Resident Member), Margot Spiller (Alternate Resident Member). Also present: Councilor Lobovits.