Police Chief John Camerota attended Tuesday’s L&O meeting with Councilors Ralph J. Figy, chair and William Onyski.
WESTFIELD – At the Legislative & Ordinance meeting on Tuesday, Ward 6 Councilor William Onyski reported that the city received a letter from MassDOT on June 27 approving a heavy commercial vehicle exclusion (HCVE) on Paper Mill Road from 6 p.m. to 7 a.m. The letter states that both the District 2 Traffic Engineering Section and the Boston office Regulations Section are in agreement with the city regarding approval and implementation of a 2 ½ ton capacity HCVE during those hours.
Onyski said that Police Chief John Camerota sent the request to MassDOT last summer, after the City Council gave approval for the chief to submit the letter.
“The people on Paper Mill supported this. Basically, the road is very narrow,” Onyski said, adding, “I’m hopeful this will give some sleep to the people on Paper Mill Road.”
Onyski said that Westfeld Sand & Gravel, which is located on Paper Mill, already has a special permit to operate between the hours of 7 a.m. and 5 p.m., so the truck exclusion will have no effect on them. He also said the exclusion does not apply to city service vehicles on active jobs.
“There was some question as to whether this would increase traffic on Holyoke Road. At some point, I would like to talk to the Traffic Commission about whether that is happening, or are trucks going to E. Mountain Road,” Onyski said.
L&O Chair Ralph Figy commented that E. Mountain Road does have a low overpass, which prohibits some truck traffic. “At some point, I would like to see about raising that bridge,” Onyski added.
Figy said this exclusion is the first step, and the other issues raised can be taken up in steps. He also said the overnight exclusion on Paper Mill Road will be added to ordinance 17-89, “Heavy Vehicles Restricted,” after approval by the City Council.
Other exceptions listed in ordinance 17-89 include “heavy commercial vehicles going to or coming from places upon sections of such streets for the purpose of making deliveries of goods, materials, or merchandise to or similar collections from abutting land or buildings or adjoining streets or ways to which access cannot otherwise be gained; or to vehicles used in connection with the construction, maintenance and repair of such streets or public utilities therein; or to federal, state, municipal or public service corporation vehicles.”
Following the meeting, Onyski said the residents had been looking for a total truck exclusion on Paper Mill, which Chief Camerota had submitted as a request to the state; but MassDOT came back with the determination of the hours of exclusion of 6 p.m. to 7 a.m.
Other business before L&O on Tuesday included a resolution to accept a local option excise tax on the retail sale of marijuana at the maximum allowed by the state of 3%. Figy said he believes these types of taxes are fair, because people choose to purchase the product. The resolution passed on a vote of 2-0.
A second resolution to approve the appropriation of monies for two solar crosswalk flashing signals under the Commission for Citizens with Disabilities was also approved.
During the discussion, Chief Camerota said the crosswalk, which is at Westfield Electroplating on North Elm Street, only flashes when pedestrians cross the street. He said the Commission is contributing $2,500, and is looking for the other $2,500 from the city.
The resolutions approved by L&O will go to the City Council at its next meeting on Thursday, August 16.
