WESTFIELD—Residents can expect some changes coming to their roadways soon.
The city’s Traffic Commission met Wednesday, which will be the last meeting until Sept. 21. The group heard one complaint from residents, as well as made several changes to some local roadways.
Two local residents spoke to the commission about freight truck traffic that currently travels down Papermill Road, noting that the travel down the road has been excessive.
Police chief and Commission Chairman John Camerota, who had a police officer monitor the traffic on the road recently, contended that the traffic that went through when they were there was not considered significant.
“I can tell you this, during the hour that the officer was sitting there, there were about eight trucks an hour,” Camerota said.
In spite of this, the Commission agreed that there should be more research done on the area to find out if there is a way to reduce the amount of trucks going down Papermill Road. However, the Commission warned the residents that there may not be an immediate fix, noting that the information would have to be compiled and a warrant would have to be written and passed.
As for the changes that will be coming to the roadways, most of the changes regarded signs.
The first is North Elm St., where WEPCO is located, will be getting a solar-powered crosswalk light, in order to allow safer crossing for pedestrians along the oft-traveled road.
Also, signs will not be put up on Summer St., where parking is currently permitted for an hour to two hours at a time. The Commission decided to allow unrestricted parking on the west side of the street, but prior to the construction that is currently happening on the street, there were signs restricting parking.
Additionally, upon the request of Ward 6 City Councilor William Onyski, the Commission okayed putting in a stop sign on Walker Ave., where it meets with Papermill Road.
