Why the stop sign petition was a big deal.
I try to attend the public safety committee meetings whenever I can. At the meeting on 2/16 councilor Kaddy and Officer MacNamara incorrectly stated the rules of the road regarding uncontrolled intersections. I pulled the RMV drivers manual up on my laptop and read the pertinent section from chapter 4, verbatim. Officer MacNamara pulled out his copy of the manual and confirmed that a stop is not required. Imagine that, a cop and retired cop, didn't know the rules of the road. This changed the tone of the discussion from no big deal they have to stop anyways to does it make sense to stop cars when drivers can clearly see that it is safe to proceed.
The discussion at the public safety committee meeting also addressed the need to limit the installation of unnecessary signs. That's one of the overall objectives of the Manual of Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD). That's by the way is where councilor Donnelly was coming from when he spoke about excessive and improper use of signs.
At the city council meeting, councilor Kaddy and mayor Mylott talked about using common sense when making these decisions. Beware when either Kaddy or Mylott makes reference to common sense it should be translated into, "I have no idea what I'm talking about but I've already made up my mind so please don't confuse me with facts."
The same MGL that grants authority to approve stop signs to the city council also requires that they follow the MUTCD. The manual includes requirements and recommendations. The requirements must be followed, no ifs and or buts. Recommendations are meant to provide flexibility to "traffic engineers" to use their expertise and experience to find the best solutions to a problem. Are councilors free to ignore the recommendations? What do you think?
Anyone notice that councilor Kaddy's request to make the temporary 4 way stop that had been installed for 90 days at Milk and Ellis 2 years ago made permanent was given leave to withdraw. Kaddy pushed two temporary 4 ways through in his last term Milk and Ellis was first in the spring of 2004 followed by Congress and Mrytle in the fall of 2004. Kaddy used his typical it's just common sense argument. Anyone care to check with the police department to find out how many accidents occurred at those two 4 ways while they were installed?
Still think stop signs petitions are much ado about nothing. Check out the tips about traffic engineering, courtesy of Monroe LA. Just click the TED TIPS link on the right.
BTW: In the US the average cost to install a stop sign is about $280.00.
Congratulations to councilors Tran, DiMartino, Connelly, and DiNatale for doing the right thing and voting against wasting our tax dollars.
The discussion at the public safety committee meeting also addressed the need to limit the installation of unnecessary signs. That's one of the overall objectives of the Manual of Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD). That's by the way is where councilor Donnelly was coming from when he spoke about excessive and improper use of signs.
At the city council meeting, councilor Kaddy and mayor Mylott talked about using common sense when making these decisions. Beware when either Kaddy or Mylott makes reference to common sense it should be translated into, "I have no idea what I'm talking about but I've already made up my mind so please don't confuse me with facts."
The same MGL that grants authority to approve stop signs to the city council also requires that they follow the MUTCD. The manual includes requirements and recommendations. The requirements must be followed, no ifs and or buts. Recommendations are meant to provide flexibility to "traffic engineers" to use their expertise and experience to find the best solutions to a problem. Are councilors free to ignore the recommendations? What do you think?
Anyone notice that councilor Kaddy's request to make the temporary 4 way stop that had been installed for 90 days at Milk and Ellis 2 years ago made permanent was given leave to withdraw. Kaddy pushed two temporary 4 ways through in his last term Milk and Ellis was first in the spring of 2004 followed by Congress and Mrytle in the fall of 2004. Kaddy used his typical it's just common sense argument. Anyone care to check with the police department to find out how many accidents occurred at those two 4 ways while they were installed?
Still think stop signs petitions are much ado about nothing. Check out the tips about traffic engineering, courtesy of Monroe LA. Just click the TED TIPS link on the right.
BTW: In the US the average cost to install a stop sign is about $280.00.
Congratulations to councilors Tran, DiMartino, Connelly, and DiNatale for doing the right thing and voting against wasting our tax dollars.
posted by noway @ 2/22/2006 11:43:00 PM
1 Comments:
At 2/23/2006 12:25:00 PM,
noway said…
There are only 5 members of the PS committee so a (10-0) is not possible. All votes taken by the PS committee were unanimous (5-0). The committee has 2 ward councilors on the committee and both changed their votes in the council meeting. Councilor Joseph who had brought the petition did not attend the PS committee meeting. Councilor Tran, who lives close to the sign that was approved was at the meeting.
Councilor Kaddy who has chaired the PS committee for the past two years has stated in the past that petitions brought by ward councilors should be given special consideration. I on the other hand think every petition in every committee should be evaluated on its merits. What do you think?
Two other stop sign petitions were held in committee. The petition for as stop sign at View and Prospect, brought by councilor Kaddy and Peter Bovenzi and the petition for 4 ways at North and Pearl by councilor DeSalvator. Kaddy claims to have a supporting recommendation from the city engineering department for the stop at View and Prospect. The recommendation is irrelevant because the city engineers are not traffic engineers. They're good at dealing with the stuff under the roads, sewer water and the likes, but they lack training and experience with what's above the pavement.
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