The April 20, 2010 Work Session was called to order at 4:00 p.m. by Council President, Norman Pinder in the first floor meeting room at the Goodwill Fire Department. The following members and staff were present: Norman P. Pinder, Jr., President; Timothy E. McCluskey, Vice President; Frank C. Ogens, Member; Bob McGrory, Town Manager; Jane Saulsbury, Administrative Aide; and Chief Charlie Rhodes.
Citizen’s Forum – No comments
Mr. Pinder thanked everyone for attending. He informed the public that State Highway would be providing an update to topics discussed at the February 2, 2010 work session. The following State Highway Administration representatives were present: Terry Wright, District Engineer; Norris Embert, Assistant District Engineer; Jeff Wentz, Assistant District Engineer; Charlie Coppage, Transportation Manager, and Tish Hopkins, Transportation Engineering Technician.
Maryland State Highway Administration – Discussion of Issues
• Crosswalk at Millstream: Mr. Wright reported that installation of crosswalks by SHA will follow completion of sidewalks and ramps. SHA recommends that a private contractor do the work for the Town in Phase I. Once the permit is complete, work can proceed.
• ADA Crosswalks: Mr. Pinder asked what location will be marked as handicapped crosswalks. Mr. Wright reported that the locations are defined by the ramped curbs: (1) Water Street and Commerce; (2) Water Street and Liberty; (3) Fayette Street; (4) Church Lane; (5) Broadway; (6) Lawyer’s Row and Liberty; (7) Lawyer’s Row and Commerce. There was discussion about installing signage to highlight and indicate location of ADA crosswalks. Mr. Wentz indicated that some of the signs are not feasible due to street width and extreme maintenance issues. He said they will explore other possibilities. Mr. Wright estimated that work may begin on the crosswalks in July or August.
• Traffic Signal at Wexford and Spaniard Neck Road: Mr. Wentz reported that central approval has been received from SHA, but that there is a requirement that 330 units be complete at North Brook. The developer has indicated that there are currently 294 units complete. Mr. McCluskey was emphatic about Council wanting the traffic signal as soon as possible as the intersection is extremely dangerous. Mr. Wentz advised they would be pressing the developer to proceed and that he will communicate with Mr. McGrory as to the progression of building permits.
• Route 304 and 301 crossing improvements: Mr. Wright reported that work on the proposed overpass in on hold due to lack of funding. He said SHA would be meeting with the Queen Anne’s County Commissioners next Tuesday concerning this topic and that traffic counts are being done.
• Right turn at Centreville Park Shopping Center: Mr. McGrory reported that the Council has sent a letter to each of the businesses at the Centreville Shopping Center requesting that they encourage their employees and customers to use the traffic light at the intersection of Coursevall Drive and Route 213.
In discussion of the development for Laser Drive which will intersect Route 213 near Walgreens, Mr. Wright advised that the developer’s accessibility permit is good for one year. Mr. Ogens said he is concerned about drivers coming out on a curve. There was discussion about what kind of material to install as a directional curb to encourage “right hand only” turns at the exit near McDonalds. Mr. Wentz advised that the sign which causes a visibility problem is out of their right-of-way and therefore out of their jurisdiction. Mr. Wright said they have no leverage to enforce the “right hand turn only” because the property is no longer owned by the original developer. Mr. Coppage said he is reluctant to discuss the proposal for a curb because of a lease agreement with Food Lion. Mr. Wright said he would write a letter to the developer concerning the proposal for a curb to enforce the “right hand only turn.”
• Speed Control: Mr. Wentz gave a slide presentation summarizing the conclusions reached by a national study that most drivers drive in a manner to lessen their risk of accident and that speed limit signs have little or no impact on the speed driven by individual drivers. Some of the things that do impact the speed being driven are the perceptions of information given, i.e., (1) road alignment, how wide and/or how straight; (2) development or other distractions along the road; etc. A study of Centreville’s traffic speed indicated that the majority of drivers drove within 4 to 5 MPH above or below the speed limit posted. “People drive what they consider to be a safe speed.”
1. Mr. Wright recognized the section of Liberty Street near Weedon Street which is an area where drivers tend to accelerate. He suggested that SHA and one or two residents look at areas where travel speed is a concern and consider traffic calming speed reduction options. He noted that people’s perceptions need to be changed in order for them to change how they drive.
2. Mr. Pinder requested that the crosswalks at Commerce and Liberty be accentuated so that they are more visible. Mr. Wentz said that the brick pattern is helpful in that regard.
3. Mr. McCluskey strongly suggested that the speed limit signs be changed and that more enforcement be conducted to determine if it will decrease driver’s speed.
4. Mr. Ogens asked why Centreville is different than Chestertown which has a two and a half mile area of 25 MPH. He suggested that that the speed limit from the bridge at Hillside to the bridge on the North side of town be posted with 25 MPH signs.
5. Mr. Wentz reported that a study had been done in Michigan and that the Michigan police department determined that changing speed limits was cost prohibitive
Citizens Forum
Aileen Minor, 208 S. Liberty and Mary Margaret Goodwin, 221 North Commerce offered comments.
Council Closing Comments:
Motion to Adjourn
There being no further business, Mr. Ogens moved to adjourn the April 20, 2010 work session. Mr. McCluskey seconded the motion, and the meeting adjourned by unanimous vote at 5 p.m.
Respectfully Submitted,
Jane Saulsbury
Administrative Aide