In a room at Police Headquarters filled to the gills the Traffic Commission heard from residents impatient with the lack of progress on safety and traffic mitigation measures at two locations.
Marjorie Jeffries spoke at length about the dangerous situation that exists at Neponset Valley Parkway and Brush Hill Road. The situation was made acute recently when an accident involving a child occurred. Drivers fail to observe existing Yield signs. The right hand turn onto Brush Hill from Neponset Pkwy where there is a small parking area on the right is particularly dangerous. Flatley field which sits at the junction is heavily used by local soccer and football leagues. That, coupled with the lack of parking, make for an extremely hazardous situation. Jeffries labeled the situation “unconscionable.” “This is a hideous intersection and something must be done. I plead with you to do something,” said Ms. Jeffries.
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Jeffries reminded the omission that a petition had been signed over 3 years ago and nothing had been done. She “excoriated” the DCR for failing to be present. Part of the challenge in resolving the safety issues lies with the town and state agencies with jurisdiction over the roadways. The Neponset Parkway is under DCR control.
Milton Police Chief and Traffic Commission member Wells said he did not want to “put a band-aid on an arterial wound.” He noted that the situation is further aggravated by the fact that the fields at Houghton’s pond and Kelly field are closed for maintenance.
The commission agreed to write a letter to the DCR to urge them to accelerate a traffic study that is underway. Marion McEttick who was present at the meeting, said the Selectmen would also support that and write a letter urging prompt action. In addition the MPD is going to have a “heavy police presence” there to assist with traffic. There is parking available at the Milton Health facility and the public is encouraged to use it.
A representative from the Brush Hill Neighborhood Association spoke. She supports the efforts to improve safety but express concern about an idea the Selectmen put forward to have Brush Hill one way. She also asked officials to keep all constituent groups better informed. several speakers acknowledged the efforts of Fuller Village and Senator Joyce’s office to address the situation.
The other location of major concern is Governor’s Road which John Duff referred to as the East Milton bypass. Mr. Duff presented n behalf of the residents of Governor’s Road and said that in the 22 years that he has been on the street “nothing has ever been done.” He asked the commission to “Please make it a safe street,” noting that there were now 22 children under the age of 5 living on the street.
Bob Sweeney, a member of the Board of Selectman, also spoke. He lived on Governor’s Road for ~50 years and he expressed his frustration that nothing had been done. He said signage and bumps would provide relief. He cited the presence of speed humps in other parts of town (e.g. Thatcher St, Eliot St) and said that the commission “Give us the same.” Wells responded, “I don’t think that will give you what you want.” he noted that there was a moratorium on speed humps due to dangerous situation they presented to fire and emergency vehicles. Other members noted that the situation was problematic due to traffic volume and that speed humps would not address that. Sweeney said that “if you don’t like this then what you do? You have an obligation to give Governor’s Road relief.”
Chief Wells suggest a three-way stop at Governor’s and Warner roads. This would slow down traffic and possibly decrease volume due to inconvenience. The commission will be recommending that the Board of Selectmen vote on this. A variety of other strategies were discussed such as restoring the rocks which once served as a barricade and prevented cut through traffic. Mr. Sweeney suggested they be painted yellow and reminded those present of his “Toot if you give a hoot” campaign from when he lived on the street. It provided a light moment in what was a clearly a serious situation for the residents.
Chief Wells is also going to look at the Garden and Warner intersection which residents felt should also have a three-way stop sign. The commission will review strategies and return to the issue at their next meeting.