|
Town Government & |
Committees: Traffic Committee Traffic Committee The Traffic Committee is an advisory committee and makes recommendations to the Board of Selectmen for implementation. It considers all aspects of traffic and safety issues which are brought to the Committee's attention from citizens as well as Town Departments. For many years it consisted of representatives of the Police Department, Fire Department, Department of Public Works, Parking Clerk, Planning Board, and Light Department. In 1997, the committee was reorganized to include three citizen representatives, appointed for three year terms, plus the Police Chief (Chairman), Fire Chief, Town Planner and DPW Superintendent.. The Traffic Committee is in place to assist Hingham residents with ways to alleviate traffic concerns in all areas of the Town. The Traffic Committee does not have the power to implement changes, but recommends proposals to the Board of Selectmen for consideration. We thank the Board of Selectmen for their continued cooperation and interest in the recommendations made by the Committee. The Traffic Committee continued to work with the Hingham Downtown Association on parking issues during 2007. It was decided to have a member of the Committee attend the Parking Task Force meetings to address issues on an ongoing basis. Lt. Haley will represent the Traffic Committee at future meetings. A resident had requested consideration of a crosswalk at Main and Gardner Streets. While Committee members did not object to this idea, they felt it would be best to wait for the reconstruction to take place in this area of Main Street. In June of 2007 Michael Pevarnik replaced Joseph Burton on the Traffic Committee. We thank Mr. Burton for his dedication and interest in the topics brought before the Committee. The Committee discussed a request by a resident to put signage on Canterbury Street to warn of an autistic child who lives in the area who may dart out onto the street. Mr. Sylvester said the DPW had already ordered an appropriate sign and would put the sign up when it arrived. Residents of Adams Court came to the Committee to explain they were experiencing a large volume of “cut through” traffic by construction and other vehicles. Sgt. Olsson explained this might improve as the train project nears completion and an exit opened up from Adams Court onto Beal Street. The residents were asked to re-contact the Committee if the problems persisted. Sgt. Olsson was promoted to Lieutenant in November. Sgt. David Horte was appointed as the Traffic Sergeant for the Hingham Police Department and will now be Chief Mills’ representative for the Traffic Committee. Our thanks to Lt. Olsson for his concern and hard work during his tenure as Chair of the Traffic Committee. The Traffic Committee is available to assist residents and merchants with traffic concerns. Should you have a topic you wish to bring before the Committee, please make a request to the Board of Selectmen, cc: Chief Taylor Mills, Hingham Police Department. If you have a question pertaining to a traffic issue, you may contact Sgt. David Horte at 781-749-1212. Often assistance can be given without bringing an issue to the Traffic Committee directly.
|