Traffic Advisory Committee Meets

At 7:02 pm, Traffic Advisory Committee (TAC) Chair, Police Chief Matthew Stone called the January 13, 2021 committee meeting to order.

HPD Chief Matthew Stone

Following the Remote Meeting guidelines, a roll call of Committee members was taken. 

Following the approval of the previous meeting’s minutes, Chief Stone introduced Mr. Bob Keens, representing All Traffic Solutions, a firm that “provides smart transportation and parking technologies.

Holliston has purchased three traffic monitoring devices from All Traffic with funding approved at the December 5, 2020 Town Meeting.  Mr. Keens provided an overview of each device and its capabilities.

Mr. Bob Keens of All Traffic Solutions
  • StatTrak Data Collector – This mobile device monitors traffic volume and categorizes the vehicles (car, pick up, box truck, tractor trailer) that pass the counter.
  • SpeedAlert 24 Radar Message Sign – This device measures speed and can display the speed, and some ‘feedback’ on the speed relative to the posted limit and can flash strobe lights to capture attention.
  • Wanco Metro Matrix Message Display (shown below)- This trailer-mounted sign is a larger version of the SpeedAlert 24 that tracks speed and / or displays other traffic messaging.

The StatTrak device has arrived and the HPD Traffic squad has been testing its use and data gathering capabilities.  This would seem to be a manageable way to do some quick in-house traffic studies to better guide enforcement and to focus future engineering traffic studies to specific areas.

Next on the TAC’s agenda was a Petition Hearing for Bullard Street residents.  Mr. Thom Gilbert (below) represented the area residents.  His presentation began with an overview of the scenic nature of the street, its narrow (8 foot) lanes and the abundance of wildlife in the area.  Improved quality of life and safety were the main goals of the petitioners.  Bullard Street is used by heavy commercial vehicles entering / exiting the Lowland Industrial Park and Covanta recycling center on Washington Street.  These vehicles bring noise and fumes in addition to their size that often leads to straddling both lanes to speed down the road.

Two other Petitioner Hearings were scheduled.  The Petitioners were not in attendance to present their issues.  These hearings will be rescheduled at a later date.

The Committee’s approach to such hearings is: to listen, ask questions, and then, at the next meeting, discuss and decide on the best course of action to recommend to the Select Board.

Chief Stone reported that the new signs announcing the town-wide speed limit signs have been installed at the town line of all roads entering from other towns.  Below is the sign on Highland Street as one enters from Medway.

TAC member and School Committee Chair, Stacey Raffi

Committee member, Stacey Raffi alerted Chief Stone that she has heard there is some confusion as these signs are sometimes near a posted speed limit sign.  The Chief was going to look into this issue.

James Sipsma (above), a TAC member asked Tina Hein for and update on highway maintenance on State vs. Town roads.  Mrs. Hein (below) shared that the Select Board is working on a prioritized list of improvements that will be referred to MassDOT.

TAC member and Select Board Vice-chair Tina Hein

Chief Stone invited other comments and Suzanne Adelman of South Street shared that recently, several / day, long flatbed trailers carrying railroad ties have been transiting South Street and turning left onto Route 16 causing traffic delays.  Chief Stone will look into the matter.

The TAC will next meet on Wednesday, February 24, 2021 at 7:00pm.

The meeting adjourned at 8:22pm.

Chris Cain

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