(Prepared by Zoom A.I. and edited by a human)

Participants:

Councilors John Oliver, Maria Scibelli-Greenberg, and Marc Laredo

Ned Codd Newton’s Director of Transportation

Dan Fielding MassDOT, and 3 consultants whose names, unfortunately, were not recorded

Dr. Srdjan S. Nedeljkovic Traffic Advocate

Quick recap:

Maria reported that the Zoning Board of Appeals refused TusNua LLC a Comprehensive Permit to construct a 16-unit residential development at 41 Washington Street within a Single Residence 3 *SR-3) zoning district. This decision is expected to be appealed to the state.

The group then discussed various issues including maintenance of the Farlow Park pond, retroactive water bill charges, and the implications recent changes to the Newton Corner Rotary would have for the Newton Corner traffic system.  Concerns were raised about the lack of transparency in the decision-making process and lack of communication among Newton Transportation, the neighborhood, and  MassDOT. Lastly, the meeting discussed the impact of traffic redirection on Church Street and surrounding areas, emphasizing pedestrian safety and the need for traffic calming measures.

Next steps

• Dan Fielding will provide the traffic count data requested by Nathan Gibson and copy Ward 1 councilors.

• MassDOT will implement comprehensive data collection, monitoring, and management plans for traffic impacts, particularly on Church Street.

• Ned Codd will explore safety improvement opportunities near the Church Street fire station.

• MassDot will provide a schedule for any future street closures to Ward 1 councilors and residents

Summary:

Farlow Park Pond Maintenance and Water Bill Issues

Keith reported that the Farlow Park Pond would require much more attention next year to keep the aerators working.  Kitty noted the leaves clogging up the pond and suggested the need for volunteers to help with maintenance. Robin proposed circulating a list of potential volunteers in early spring.

The council discussed the issue of retroactive water bill charges, with Councilor Scibelli-Greenberg suggesting contacting Coleman Flattery, the Director of Finance Administration at Public Works. Dan raised concerns about the one-year deadline for bill payment and the need to investigate the issue further. Marc clarified that the department is about 75-80% through the process and that the issue is not about rebates but about ensuring people pay their fair share. The team agreed to follow up on the issue to balance the scales.

Newton Corner Rotary and MassDOT Updates

Robin discussed the changes to the Newton Corner Rotary and its impact on the neighborhood. She highlighted the Department of Transportation's priorities for Newton Corner, which include:

1. Improving access, safety, and mobility.

2. Reconnecting neighborhoods.

3. Minimizing impacts on residential areas.

4. Providing electric vehicle charging stations.

Robin also shared updates on the current road closures and traffic diversions, which have led to increased noise and speeding in the area. She then posed several questions to Dan and Ned, including who decided to implement the signal project, who was involved in planning it, and who was responsible for the closure of the Richard Street parking lot entrance. Dan thanked Robin for the opportunity to address the community's concerns and promised to answer all the questions.

Newton Corner Safety Improvements

Jim and Ned discussed the safety improvements made at Newton Corner, which were identified during a midterm study by MassDOT. They reported these improvements were implemented in coordination with the city of Newton, with the goal of enhancing safety and reducing congestion. Robin expressed concern about the lack of transparency in the decision-making process, as some community members were surprised by the sudden implementation of these improvements.

Jim clarified that these improvements were not part of the long-term study but a short-term solution to address safety concerns. He emphasized that the ultimate goal is to create a safer intersection and that these improvements are not the final solution.  Robin stated that in contrast to the MassDOT community-oriented goals stated above, it appears that the sole purpose of the current safety improvement is to reduce the queue of cars exiting at East Bound Exit 127.

Newton Corner Traffic System Changes, Street Closures, and Traffic Management

The meeting continued with a discussion of recent changes to the Newton Corner traffic system, including the permanent closure of the Centre Ave. entrance to the Richardson Street parking lot (paid for by the state), reasons for temporary street closures (work being done by National Grid) and the construction of dedicated lanes in the rotary (i.e., Centre Ave.) as it curves behind the back of the hotel. A new signal system will control access from the dedicated lanes on Center Ave. to Centre Street.  Again, concerns were raised about the lack of transparency and communication from MassDOT regarding these changes, with some participants expressing frustration at the sudden implementation of these changes without adequate warning or explanation.

The safety of pedestrians was also a major concern, both during the construction process and after.  Marc sought clarification on who was responsible for informing residents about street closures and how long they would last. Emil clarified that their work did not involve closing streets entirely, only certain lanes at specific times. Marc emphasized the need for timely communication about street closures. Nathan raised concerns about the lack of traffic data provided by MassDOT, which he had requested in January. Dan offered to look into the matter and promised to deliver the data as soon as possible. The team agreed to keep the Ward One counselors informed about the progress.  The conversation ended with a discussion of the need for better communication and transparency from MassDOT in the future.

Measuring Project Success and Safety

Marc questioned the metrics for measuring the project's success, specifically asking for data on reducing crashes and impacts on city streets. Jim responded that the rotary would be safer by eliminating a dangerous weave and adding a traffic signal at a crossing. However, he was unable to provide specific metrics or percentages for success. Marc expressed dissatisfaction with this answer, emphasizing the need for measurable goals. Robin suggested that the project could be safer in theory but asked for plans to measure the increase in traffic on neighboring streets. Jim confirmed that there were plans to measure some impacts but did not specify which streets or how they would be made public.

Traffic Redirection and Church Street Impact

The meeting then focused on the impact of traffic redirection on Church Street and surrounding areas. Jim explained that after construction, it takes about a week or two for people to adjust to the new lane configurations. He mentioned that MassDOT would be installing cameras on Washington Street to monitor traffic and coordinate with Newton traffic. Robin expressed concerns about the impact on Church Street, Vernon Street, and other streets that might become workarounds. She also raised concerns about the safety of neighborhood children crossing the street near the fire station and Newton YMCA. Ned confirmed that MassDOT had agreed to a comprehensive data collection, monitoring, and management plan, including adjusting signal timing. Despite previous objections, Robin suggested the possibility of traffic calming measures at the fire station.

Pedestrian Safety Concerns in Newton

Richard expressed concerns about pedestrian safety in Newton Corner, particularly at the pedestrian crossings at Center Street and Park Street. He questioned if there were any plans to improve these crossings. Dan added to this, suggesting the need for traffic calming measures and traffic lights near the fire station and church. Jim clarified that while the project includes safety improvements, it is not a complete solution focused on immediate action. Richard also raised the issue of right turns on red at the Center Street and Center Ave locations, which could defeat the purpose of having a stable and predictable crosswalk. He was assured that this would not be allowed.

Looking Ahead and Thinking Outside the Box

Dr. Srdjan Nedeljkovic concluded the meeting by presenting his plan for a redesigned interchange that would reconnect the two sides of the village and enhance the quality of life for the residents of Newton Corner.  The consultants enthusiastically received this plan, which is presented below.