Draft
Town of Mansfield Traffic Authority
Minutes of the Meeting – August 4, 2009
Present: Hultgren, Padick, Meitzler, Jackman, Paterson (guest)
The meeting was called to order at 10:30 am by acting chair Hultgren.
Pedestrian awareness campaign – Hultgren explained that his contact at the UConn P.D. had retired and that UConn’s landscaping study (Sasaki) may contain an element on pedestrian signage. Padick will check with his UConn master plan contacts to see if a new contact can be found to help coordinate this effort.
Centerline striping – no progress; there still is not money in the 09-10 budget for centerline striping.
Clover Mill Road/195 bus stop new location – no progress.
Eastwood Road signage and crosswalk request – members felt that the in-road sign would not contribute to increased safety and it was not approved. The crosswalk was discussed, but no action was taken pending review of this intersection at peak drive times when UConn is back in session.
Town Parking Fines – The Town’s current parking fines were reviewed along with fine schedules from several other Towns. Members were split on how much to increase the fines and it took two motions to finally approve the following fines and recommend them to the Town Council: $25 for parking on a sidewalk, parking on a lawn, island or unpaved area and parking in violation of a posted sign (was $20 on the Town’s printed ticket). $30 for parking with a bad decal, parking on the wrong side of the street, parking more than 12” from the curb, within 25’ of an intersection or within 25’ of a stop sign, obstructing a driveway/bikeway, double parking, parking in a crosswalk, parking in a designated no parking area, parking in a loading zone, parking in a reserved or restricted space and parking in a bus stop (was $25 on the Town’s printed ticket). $50 for parking causing a traffic hazard, in violation of the snow ordinance, in a fire lane or within 10’ of a hydrant (was $30). $150 for parking in a handicapped zone (was $85). Hultgren will submit these recommendations to the Town Manager/Council to increase the fines.
Speed limit request – Cedar Swamp Road – Hultgren circulated his calculations of house densities for typical Town roads with 25 and 30 mph speed limits. He noted that Cedar Swamp, Brookside and Highland Roads all had higher densities, but had 30 mph speed limits. After some discussion it was agreed to request lower limits on these 3 roads. Hultgren will transmit this request to the STC.
Speed concerns near 791 Mansfield City Road (circa White Oak intersection) – Hultgren reported that there were locations near the cross streets in this area that did not have the normal 30 mph speed signs and these (5 new speed signs) will be installed by the DPW. He also said that there was no street light at the corner of Mansfield City Rd and White Oak Road and members agreed that this intersection should be lit in accordance with the criteria for lighting Town intersections.
Speed concerns on Puddin Lane – no action taken. Waiting for classifier data.
Moulton Road speed hump re-request (Thornhill) -- No action taken. Jackman noted that the Fire Dept’s position opposing speed humps on Moulton Road has not changed.
Slow Children sign request on Center Street – Members noted that there was already a “no through traffic” sign on both ends of Center Street and the slow children sign criteria was not met by this location since one had to turn off the main road (89) into the neighborhood (as opposed to having the neighborhood appear unexpectedly on a road). As a result the sign request was not approved.
EO Smith request for bike ride on Sept 20th – approved with the condition that the ride be coordinated with the Resident State Trooper’s office.
Festival on the Green parade road closures on Sept 13th -- approved with the condition that the ride be coordinated with the Resident State Trooper’s office.
Hole in the Wall Gang Camp cycling event on Sept 27th -- approved with the condition that the ride be coordinated with the Resident State Trooper’s office.
A report from the DOT denying the removal of the right turn on red sign NB on Rte 32 at Rte 275 was received and no action taken.
The meeting was adjourned at 11:16 pm.
Respectfully submitted,
Lon Hultgren
Director of Public Works
cc: Town Clerk, Town Mgr, File