I. CALL TO ORDER:

Members Present:

City Councilor Alex Hanson, Chairman Ted Gray

John Burke, Public Works Dept. Ralph DiBernardo

Fire Chief Ricky Plummer, Fire Dept. Ronald Cypher

Deputy Fire Chief Steve Achilles Herb Bunnell

Police Chief Brad Russ

Deputy Police Chief Mike Magnant

1. Cabot/State Streets 4-Way Stop – John Burke reviewed intersection and stated that all of the 4-way stop sign attachments are on the stop signs. He added that Public Works will repaint the stop bars in the spring.
2. 800/801 Islington Street Crosswalk – John Burke reviewed the intersection and stated that Public Works is investigating installing a new type of reflective pedestrian crosswalk sign on either side of the crosswalk for better delineation. He will advise the committee when the signs are ordered.

1. Traffic Signal Synchronization – John Burke responded to a resident letter that listed four concerns: 1. That Maplewood Avenue traffic signals should be interconnected to improve traffic flow. John noted that the City is currently seeking federal funding to do this. 2. That the two traffic signals at Lafayette/Borthwick and Lafayette/Cottage ought to be timed in sequence. John noted that these are state owned and operated signals, but that the Traffic & Safety Committee had already written a letter to the NHDOT Traffic Engineer last year recommending the signals be interconnected. 3. That the Lafayette/Ocean Road signal timing should be reviewed. John stated that he would do so and forward a letter to NHDOT if the signals are malfunctioning. 4. That the Market St. Ext./Woodbury Ave. signals should be interconnected. John stated that the project is scheduled for implementation this year. Alex Hanson suggested that when John speaks to the State again he mention that every year they promise to push the stop bar back 15 feet on Route 1 at its intersection with Heritage Ave. Tractor trailers cannot make the left turn without backing up Route 1 traffic.

Brad Russ asked John Burke if when the signals are synchronized will the traffic travel at a speed less than the posted speed. John answered that when signals are close together as they are on Woodbury Avenue and there are a lot of side streets and driveways, the traffic will generally travel much slower than posted speeds.

2. State/Pleasant Streets Improvement – Royd Benjamin of the Maguire Group addressed the Committee and referred to the design plans for the intersection. The project will increase brick sidewalk widths, install period lighting and replace outdated traffic signal equipment.

Deputy Police Chief Mike Magnant requested that accident statistics be reviewed. Chairman Alex Hanson asked if parking and loading zone modifications at the intersection needed to be approved today. John Burke responded that staff would return with specific recommendations for onstreet parking and truck loading, but that these modifications would not change the design presented. A report on accidents would be brought back to the March meeting.

MOTION made by Ralph DiBernardo to approve the proposed plan as presented. Seconded by Ted Gray. Motion passed.

3. Traffic Signal Lafayette/South Streets – Deputy Police Chief Mike Magnant stated that the Department has concerns about the recent number of accidents at the intersection perhaps attributed to fall seasonal conditions when the sun can blind drivers momentarily. The Police Department pulled accident statistics which showed: 1995 – 7 accidents, 1996 – 8, 1997 – 7 1998 - 3, 1999 – 4. He asked John Burke about some sort of standard that might designate an intersection as being dangerous, which would lead to some sort of traffic/safety review. John did not know of any such standard in Portsmouth although he reported that the State of Maine has a standard that any intersection with 8 or more accidents of a similar type for three consecutive years is labeled "hazardous". John agreed that when accident patterns develop the intersection should be reviewed. He stated that he had reviewed Lafayette Road at South Street and found a couple of significant concerns: 1. Signal timing itself needs to be reviewed to balance traffic queues on Lafeyette Road and South Street. Peak-hour South Street queues are backing beyond Summit Ave. 2. The signal had a "1 second all red time" when all cars are stopped which he already has increased to 2 seconds. This provides an extra factor of safety against people running red lights. Alex Hanson stated that the State has gone to a white flashing strobe in the middle of the red light to address sun glare. John responded that these signals are very effective but generally only used on State highways and bridges because they can be really offensive in residential areas. John stated that a simpler and more cost-effective measure would be to install a black back-plate on the signals, which will frame the signal head light to contract the sun. He added that the back plates were used at the new signals at Congress/Middle Streets. John summarized that Public Works would adjust signal timing as needed and install signal back plates to protect against sun glare.

MOTION made by Ralph DiBernardo to accept John Burke’s traffic/safety report. Seconded by Ron Cypher.

4. Raynes Ave./Vaughan St. - Proposed No Parking Here-to-Corner Signs – Ralph DiBernardo spoke to the on-site. Based on a Herald editorial the area at Vaughan Street around the Herald property was reviewed. Three problems were identified: 1. People are parking too close to the intersection of Vaughan and Maplewood Ave. near the B&M RR tracks. 2. People are parking on the two inside corners formed at the back of the Herald by Vaughan Street, and 3. People are parking at the intersection of Vaughan and Raynes at the far end. After consulting with John Burke for advice he prepared a sketch showing the 3 areas of concern which he passed out to the Committee members and presented the following motion addressing the three issues.

6. OTHER BUSINESS:

1. Immaculate Conception Church – Parking - Ron Cypher spoke of the on-site and stated that the Committee had gone to Summer Street and observed all day parking taking place in front of the Church. Chairman Alex Hanson stated that cars have been left over night and all day in these spaces. Ron Cypher stated that the Committee concurred with the request to limit parking to 2-hours from Chatham St. to Austin St. on the westerly side.

1. Correspondence received from Pearl Apartments– Alex Hanson referred to the discussion concerning site vision coming out of the parking lot at the apartment complex. Ralph DiBernardo handled the on-site report. Alex Hanson stated that there were 3 recommendations. 1. Post "Dangerous Intersection" sign. 2. We correspond with Arthur Pearl and suggest that he may want to move his driveway, at his expense, to exit off Barberry Lane and have in traffic only on Islington Street, and 3. Allow him to proceed with a blinking yellow light at his expense to let the Committee know if he was interested. The letter will be prepared by John Burke.

MOTION made by Ralph DiBernardo with the following three recommendations: 1. Post "Dangerous Intersection" sign in advance of driveway. 2. Forward a letter to Mr. Pearl stating that he may want to move his driveway, at his expense, to exit off Barberry Lane and have in traffic only at Islington Street; and 3. that a blinking yellow light would be allowable if installed at his expense. Seconded by Ron Cypher.

2. Sherburne Road Neighborhood - Alex Hanson discussed the need for installing a safety/noise barrier off of I-95 adjacent to the Sherburne Road Neighborhood. House Bill 172 is going forward in the legislature to do so.

6. INFORMATIONAL ITEMS:

8. ADJOURNMENT:

The meeting was adjourned at approximately 8:45 a.m.