Residents from the area of Western Avenue in attendance at the L&O Committee meeting on Wednesday. (Photo by Amy Porter)
WESTFIELD – Residents from Western Avenue and adjoining streets attended the Legislative & Ordinance Committee meeting on Wednesday to ask questions about proposed traffic regulations during the construction of Phase I, which is slated to begin next year.
L&O Chair Ralph J. Figy, Jr. said the six different ordinances that needed to be amended were part of an agreement with the City of Westfield and the MassDOT for the project. “We took the federal funds, but they tell us what we have to do. All of those things that we’re required to enforce, to put up the signs; the Traffic Commission will enforce them,” Figy said.
A lot of questions were directed at the “no left turn” sign that will be going up at Broadway for west bound traffic. Resident Amy Turner-Cooper said that most of the changes had been discussed at previous meetings, but some had been changed, including the signs at Broadway, which she believed turned Broadway into a one-way street. “I am opposed to that,” said Turner-Cooper.
City Engineer Mark Cressotti said the project has been vetted, a safety audit performed, and has been turned over to the MassDOT. He said the intersection at Broadway is the same as at the last public meeting. “The constraints don’t make it a one-way. In my opinion, this is the lesser of the restrictions on Broadway. The only restriction is left turns into Broadway west-bound from Western Ave.,” Cressotti said.
“It will force people to take a left onto Kensington or Fairview. Look at the size of the streets. Fairview is a very narrow street. I see potential for real problems and safety hazards,” Turner-Cooper responded.
Cressotti said the safety audit found a problem with people turning right from Lloyd’s Hill, then trying to make an immediate left onto Broadway. He said people could take Granville Road to go to Broadway.
“I understand there are concerns, but for MassDOT it’s a safety issue,” Cressotti added.
Assistant City Solicitor Shanna Reed explained that the city has an agreement with MassDOT, who has already vetted the plan. “By us not signing it, we don’t get MassDOT funding. Take it or leave it,” Reed said.
Councilor Michael Burns asked whether the design was at 100%, which Cressotti affirmed.
Ward 3 Councilor Andrew K. Surprise, in attendance at the meeting, said with the proposed traffic light at Lloyd’s Hill, it would lessen the queue to turn left on Broadway. Cressotti said the traffic light is in Phase 2 of the project, which is two years away.
At-large Councilor Cindy C. Harris said she assumed that the Westfield Police Department, which is in charge of the Traffic Commission, has gone through the changes and approved of them.
City Engineer Mark Cressotti and Assistant City Solicitor Shanna Reed review the Western Avenue ordinances with the L&O Committee Wednesday.
“The Traffic Commission is aware of what’s in this, and did consider making Broadway a cul-de-sac or a dead end. This is a softer approach to address the plethora of accidents,” Cressotti said, adding that the Traffic Commission did vote in favor of the plans in August.
After more back and forth, Figy asked the councilors to allow the public to participate.
Rose Wagner, who lives on the corner of Broadway and Western Ave. asked what the signage will look like for the road. Cressotti said the only restriction is the no left turn. He said right turns are allowed getting in and getting out. He said left turn lanes will be added on Western Ave. where allowed.
Resident Betty Esposito asked why the traffic light couldn’t be installed in Phase I since the no left turn on Broadway is going in Phase I.
Cressotti said the traffic light at Lloyd’s Hill only received 50/50 approval by MassDOT, and will go into the next Phase and in the design.
L&O member Nicholas J. Morganelli, Jr. asked whether a temporary traffic signal is something that could be put there in Phase I.
“Right now I’ve got no extra money, it’s out to bid. We could look at that,” Cressotti said.
Resident Mary Macadam asked why there will be stop signs added at Western, Fairview and Orchard, but not at Orchard and Broadway. Macadam said she was concerned about elderly people who walk on Orchard.
Cressotti said what was before the committee were the state requirements for Western Ave., but that the city could amend regulations on the side streets. “This agreement is what’s required for the state project, but the city on its own can ordinance stop sign as you suggested. Lloyd’s Hill is the problem, quickly turning onto Broadway,” he said, adding “We can always massage it internally in the city.”
“The Traffic Commission can take care of problems as they arise. The Chief is very sensitive to safety issues. If the pattern is starting to be seen, we can address that,” Figy said.
The L&O committee then reviewed and approved the six amended ordinances.
Cressotti thanked the residents for coming to the meeting, and invited them to contact his office to address any issues, and if they start to see traffic patterns develop.
