CSHCA Safety Committee Meeting 2/15/22

Chairs: Jennifer Deabler, Dianne Lescinskas

Minutes: Doreen Miller

Guests: Julie Ryan (Councilor Baker’s office), Patrick Forde (Senator Collin’s office),

Captain Mike Smith (MA State Trooper)

Total number in attendance: 17

Updates on the Savin Hill Ave/Sydney Street intersection (Julie Ryan)

• • Chris Osgoode, previous Chief of Streets, suggested a redesign of the intersection with bumped-out sidewalks instead of the flexipoles to
    • deter current illegal parking that blocks the intersection.
    • create better oversight and safety for both traffic and pedestrians.
    • Julie will send pictures of this sidewalk design to the chairs.
  • Yasha, the new Chief of Streets, will advocate for these changes, which may take a year or so.
  • More immediate fixes are
    • designated 15-minute and one-hour parking slots to be placed after discussion with the neighbors and businesses, and
    • a possible stop sign
  • A raised intersection would be problematic due to the flooding issues in that area.
  • Ken from McKenna’s has been made aware of the possibility to coordinate with the Daily to use their loading zone so that neighbors’ driveways are not blocked.
  • If people have other ideas, please send them to Julie: Julie.ryan@boston.gov
  • In a conversation with Captain Golden (C-11) we have been promised greater enforcement of parking rules in the area.
    • Keep Julie and Councilor Baker updated with any problems.
    • Call 911 for parking issues as this data gets tracked for resource allocation.
  • Julie will talk with Councilor Baker about the next steps.
  • The chairs will follow-up with Julie in these issues.

Updates on Morrissey Boulevard (Captain Mike Smith, MA State police)

• • Issues include
    • Speeding and drag racing
    • Cars blowing through red lights and pedestrian lights
    • Crosswalk lights
  • Representative Hunt has been in touch with Sgt. Crowley
  • State police have stepped up enforcement. They issued 50 tickets just this past weekend.
  • Their goal is to have periodic saturation patrols during the day with high visibility and other tactics to control speeding.
  • A new community liaison is currently being selected. We will be informed once chosen.
  • A request was made to have more state police patrol of the beach during the summer months, especially in the Dorchester Yacht Club area.
  • Contact numbers
    • Sgt. Crowley: 617-270-7710
    • Capt. Smith: 774-279-6145

Other Road Issues along Morrissey (Mass DOT responsibility)

• • Traffic light issues – re-time for better pedestrian/traffic safety?
  • Speed limit signs are absent on the north-bound side between the X-way off-ramp and Bianculli Boulevard/UMass intersection. Cars treat the roadway like an expressway.
  • There are no pedestrian signals at the Morrissey/Freeport intersection making it very dangerous for pedestrians to cross.
  • Patrick Forde will be in contact with Mass DOT about these issues.

Other issues

• • Homeless people are camped out under X-way at JFK station. Contact the T police.
  • Grampian Way as a cut through to Dorchester Ave and general traffic flow through the neighborhood need to be addressed – future topic.
  • The Slow Streets application has been filed and is still pending.
  • Are snow piles from street plowing blocking pedestrian crossings? Are city sidewalks along parks not cleared?
    • Call 311.
    • Take pictures and send in to 311.
  • CSHCA should
    • Remind neighbors to clear their sidewalks after a snowstorm.
    • Encourage neighbors to shovel out fire hydrants.
  • For further information on issues related to snow clearing: https://www.boston.gov/departments/311/rules-clearing-snow

Next Meeting: Tuesday, March 15, 7 PM, Zoom