tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-228160702011-04-21T17:42:05.255-04:00nowayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12888151334270157094noreply@blogger.comBlogger601100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22816070.post-91099043722644555822009-03-01T11:12:00.003-05:002009-03-01T11:43:02.338-05:00

“Grownups know that you can’t have something for nothing.” - Deval PatrickThe flip side of governor Patrick's statement is that grownups expect to get something for the taxes and fees they're charged by their government.The reported breakdown on the 19 cent proposed hike in the Massachusetts gasoline tax is as follows:6 cents - Averts MBTA service cuts and fare increasesCould it be that T riders

nowayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12888151334270157094noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22816070.post-55227209971708062272008-11-08T08:50:00.003-05:002008-11-08T09:18:06.101-05:00

So many things improve when we are situation aware. I was reminded of that this past week when driving to Leominster on Rt 12. It was about 3:15 in the afternoon. Traffic was light with no vehicles heading northbound and no vehicles for at least 500 ft behind me. I'd just passed Nichols and Battle as a Leominster police office stepped into the southbound lane and stopped me to let a single

nowayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12888151334270157094noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22816070.post-46800515465533954482008-11-05T07:01:00.005-05:002008-11-05T08:56:43.348-05:00

Tonight, 5 November 2008, there will be a Public Safety Committee meeting.As a rule, any ordinance that requires a home rule petition is a bad idea. There are two on the agenda tonight.The first petition...015-08. Councillor Thomas J. Conry, to implement automated photographic traffic enforcement systems in accordance with Massachusetts General Laws.This petition is a terrible idea. Camera

nowayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12888151334270157094noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22816070.post-338861514941583732008-07-09T06:26:00.005-04:002008-07-23T06:48:57.681-04:00

Today, 9 July 2008, the House Transportation Committee is scheduled to hear arguments on H-3512. Jennifer Flanagan, state rep from Leominster and candidate for the Senate this fall is on that committee.“AN ACT PERMITTING THE USE OF TRAFFIC CONTROL SIGNAL VIOLATION MONITORING SYSTEM DEVICES AS A MEANS OF PROMOTING TRAFFIC SAFETY IN THE CITIES OF THE COMMONWEALTH.”The bill, should it become law,

nowayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12888151334270157094noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22816070.post-91741688408105676272008-04-27T09:19:00.004-04:002008-04-27T09:47:40.618-04:00

Wow, after months without one - two weeks - two meetings.There was a Public Safety Committee meeting on Wednesday 23rd of April.It appeared that this was a meeting to clean the slate of old business.The agenda included 9 petitions from 2002, 4 from 2003, 1 each from 2004 and 2005, 5 from 2006, one from 2007 and 1 from 2008. The committee will had a mere 30 minutes to cover all 22 petitions as

nowayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12888151334270157094noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22816070.post-9180075189215116162008-03-24T21:38:00.001-04:002008-03-24T21:39:34.733-04:00

There are many engineering disciplines. I work as a Software Engineer, with System Engineers, Mechanical Engineers, Electrical Engineers as well as number of other engineering disciplines. Very few of my co-workers are, “Licensed Professional Engineers”. If you wanted to become a Traffic Engineer for Mass Highway, you’d probably have to be a Licensed Professional Engineer. As I understand if

nowayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12888151334270157094noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22816070.post-17398681444642740662008-01-03T23:06:00.000-05:002008-01-03T23:29:27.923-05:00

During last years gubernatorial election I had Deval Patrick pegged as just another tax and spend liberal Democrat, different only in that he had a very upbeat message. What was his campaign slogan, Together we can?Well I was wrong. Patrick is more than a tax and spend liberal, he's a BORROW tax and spend liberal. In his first year in office Patrick has proposed 1.3 Billion for a new commuter

nowayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12888151334270157094noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22816070.post-87653158948893265922007-12-28T20:56:00.000-05:002007-12-28T21:06:22.275-05:00

084-06. Councillor Dean A. Tran, to include one sheet with the following information:name, age, sex, race and address of all Level 2 and 3 sex offenders sorted by address with water and sewer municipal bills (residing in Fitchburg only).More Feel Good Legislation from councilor Tran. The bottom line is that there are costs associated with the petition and no real value to justify that cost. As

nowayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12888151334270157094noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22816070.post-27163214498097487002007-12-25T23:30:00.000-05:002007-12-25T23:32:54.371-05:00

Discretion, Ignorance, Stupidity, Common SenseI'm going to try to make some posts between Christmas and New Year's while I'm off work to catch up on some issues I made note of over the fall but just didn't have time to make entries for.The words identified in the title, Discretion, Ignorance, Stupidity, Common Sense will be used in the posts as follows:Discretion - discretion can be a good thing

nowayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12888151334270157094noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22816070.post-82289290284811847802007-12-16T20:14:00.001-05:002007-12-16T20:43:35.892-05:00

So you were stuck in traffic on the commute home this past Thursday (12/13/07). Here's a few hints to help you avoid a repeat performance:Avoid congested areas. A key area of congestion in the last storm was Rt. 13 near Rt. 2 in Leominster. This area is noted for heavy traffic. It has too many traffic lights, and they're too close to each other. Short sighted planning has allowed too much

nowayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12888151334270157094noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22816070.post-41373152466153707342007-03-04T09:47:00.000-05:002007-03-04T09:48:55.467-05:00

In a surprising turn of events councilor Kaddy submitted the agenda for this weeks Public Safety Committee meeting early enough that it was online more than a week before the meeting.However there was a late update (1 March) adding more items. The following note is included with the agenda, "With the increased manpower in the traffic division we have received numerous police reports. Because of

nowayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12888151334270157094noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22816070.post-64950926845486602052007-02-18T22:41:00.000-05:002007-02-18T22:52:49.679-05:00

I've addressed the evils of traffic cameras in the past. And there's plenty of information on the issue at theNewspaper.com website which is one of the links in the right hand panel. And I doubt I'll change any minds by posting on the issue again. Still there are three compelling reasons to bring up the subject again.First, it's gotten a lot of coverage recently because Worcester, the second

nowayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12888151334270157094noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22816070.post-34917965502232627472007-02-18T10:20:00.000-05:002007-02-18T18:35:09.907-05:00

This is old news at this point but it's important enough that I want to post it anyway.An article written by Brian Lee appeared in the T&G on January 30th 2007. The article addressed speed limits being updated on a section of Rt 20 in Charlton. My condensed version of what the article stated and why what MassHwy did was sooooo wrong follows.The section of road in question has been reconstructed

nowayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12888151334270157094noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22816070.post-59317022625989496142007-02-18T08:51:00.000-05:002007-02-18T10:33:57.661-05:00

Early in February property owners on Rt12 received checks for the fee takings (permanent easements), temporary easements, property taxes paid on the taken land, and interest on the money owed them. Here's how MassHwy and the city of Fitchburg have thusfar scammed the property owners out or proper and full payment for their loss.The proper way to assess damages for a partial taking of property is

nowayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12888151334270157094noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22816070.post-1167582039791850672006-12-31T10:44:00.000-05:002007-03-12T20:55:14.887-04:00

Check out these new signs at the intersection of Water St. and Laurel St. in Fitchburg.These new signs appeared about a month ago. Strange though because this is what's in the city code for Right on Red.§ 169-75. Right turn during red signal prohibited. [Added 6-3-1980]No driver of a vehicle facing a steady red indication in a traffic control signal shall make a right turn against such red or

nowayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12888151334270157094noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22816070.post-1167533980591507852006-12-30T21:42:00.000-05:002006-12-30T22:05:43.586-05:00

An S&E article in December referenced a report by Common Cause that discussed the documentation available on local municipal websites.You can navigate information about the report at Open Government by clicking on the "Massachusetts Campaign for Open Government" link.Fitchburg as noted in the "All Municipalities" table fails to publish it's budget and the minutes of the city council meetings.

nowayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12888151334270157094noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22816070.post-1167524573520528022006-12-30T18:33:00.000-05:002006-12-30T22:13:43.160-05:00

In the S&E article Leominster looks to slow down traffic on Manning Ave. Leominster officials consider placing a stop sign on Manning Ave at the intersection with Mechanic Street as, "the first step in addressing speeding traffic".Helloooo, you don't use stop signs to control speed.From the article,Mazzarella said the law requires people to stop, even though there isn't a sign."If you reach an

nowayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12888151334270157094noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22816070.post-1164334351160392492006-11-23T20:56:00.000-05:002006-11-23T21:19:34.296-05:00

This weeks Sound off question on the Twin City blog is Do you support the state’s land-taking along Route 12?How lame can you get asking this question after MassHwy has completed the takings?Legitimate Sound off questions over the course of this project might have been...Will the Rt 12 project reduce traffic congestion?ORWill adding traffic lights at Benson and Water or at Water, Nichols, North

nowayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12888151334270157094noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22816070.post-1163472633318096252006-11-13T21:25:00.000-05:002007-06-03T13:20:52.968-04:00

On Monday 11/13 I went to the MassHwy 25% design hearing for Phase III of the North Street / Pearl Street Project. I attended primarily to object to the plan to install a 4 way stop at this intersection. I asked a few question regarding the decision for a 4 way before the meeting.The warrants for a 4 way can be met based on traffic counts, or collision history or combinations of the two. The

nowayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12888151334270157094noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22816070.post-1162872436104330132006-11-06T22:55:00.000-05:002006-11-19T21:03:04.513-05:00

Front page S&E headlines on Saturday read "Report doubts impact of rail money". This article nailed it. Proponents of commuter rail love to point to passenger rail in Europe as an example we should follow. However, this isn't Europe, our communities are not laid out the way cities and villages in Europe are. The article correctly identifies this when it states "...efforts to increase density,

nowayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12888151334270157094noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22816070.post-1162783897542549242006-11-05T22:30:00.000-05:002006-11-05T23:27:17.286-05:00

On the first of the month the T&G ran this article about the city of Worcester's plan to monitor intersections with cameras. “It has been shown that having cameras at intersections dramatically improves the level of public safety,” Mr. O’Brien said in an interview after the council meeting. “Once people know that cameras are there, they are less likely to run a red light or fail to stop for a

nowayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12888151334270157094noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22816070.post-1162089865828747312006-10-28T22:43:00.000-04:002006-10-29T01:32:51.733-04:00

As if there weren't enough reasons to stop support for the Twin City Rail Trail lets add this one "Rail trail becomes hangout for men in search of sex" to the list.

nowayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12888151334270157094noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22816070.post-1160995128383949182006-10-16T06:36:00.000-04:002006-10-28T13:23:16.046-04:00

Today the top story on page one of the S&E is Councilors call for Route 2 overpass The plan may have merit when it's considered that there's no east bound access between the Rt 31 exit and the South St / Merriam Ave exit.Still it is disturbing that planning infrastructure to support develoment comes after the development. This shows a lack of long range planning or at least of an inability to

nowayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12888151334270157094noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22816070.post-1160876062054888962006-10-14T21:28:00.000-04:002006-10-16T06:35:57.680-04:00

I did not attend the last Public Safety Committee meeting or either of the last two City Council Meetings. Still I have been watching.One of the more interesting event from those meetings and on the agenda for Tuesday 10/17 is the change in the winter parking ban.Without any apparent public discussion of last winters experiment the new parking ban was on the council agenda for 10/3 and went to

nowayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12888151334270157094noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22816070.post-1160875620744111972006-10-14T21:16:00.000-04:002006-10-14T21:27:01.060-04:00

As predicted - MassHwy has failed to compete the takings of the Rt 12 project in September. In fact they didn't vote on the takings until three days ago on 10/11. The taking will not be register until 11/7.Also as predicted the amount of compensation is below what might be expected considering the appraisal for property taxes.

nowayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12888151334270157094noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22816070.post-1160316877699271602006-10-08T10:11:00.000-04:002006-10-08T10:14:37.700-04:00

I've added two new link. The first is to theNewspaper.com which has stories related to photo enforcement. The second is to the recently opened blog for the National Motorist Association.

nowayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12888151334270157094noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22816070.post-1160231028441852972006-10-07T10:02:00.000-04:002006-10-08T10:02:23.740-04:00

Back on March 30 2ndson asked the question. "If not too much added difficulty, please include in your promised update later today any info on the rail trail/rt 12 easement, i.e. which wins?"My response at the time,"I wish I could give you a definitive answer but all inquirys I've made to find out the answer have gone unanswered. It is important to the Twin City Rail Trail that Mass Hwy not get an

nowayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12888151334270157094noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22816070.post-1158371894909940032006-09-15T21:41:00.000-04:002006-09-16T08:15:08.663-04:00

Warning: this is at least a bit though not completely tongue-in-cheek so smile at least a little as you read it.Sept 06 - MassHwy fails to complete takings on time - Bidding delayed (but for only a month)Fall 06 - MassHwy eventually completes takings - property owners express disbelief at how little MassHwy plans to pay for land (lets just say it's less than the city tax assessment - note for a

nowayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12888151334270157094noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22816070.post-1158370512188726192006-09-15T21:33:00.000-04:002006-10-28T22:24:30.216-04:00

One of the questions asked at the Rt 12 meeting of the council on 12 September concerned the land on the west side of Rt 12 between Carey St and Old Leominster Rd situated roughly where the old Twin City Diner sat. Councilor Donnelly seemed to be suggesting that little spot of land might be put to use. Perhaps a small commercial properly. Councilor Kaddy followed that up with a comment that

nowayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12888151334270157094noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22816070.post-1158145190202414092006-09-13T06:49:00.000-04:002006-09-13T06:59:50.216-04:00

Not surprisingly there was nothing in either the T&G or the S&E about the joint meetings of the Public Works and Public Safety committees. Guess everyone figures this stuff is a done deal.Being the only non-politician, non-city-employee non-MassHwy-employee and only private citizen at the meeting who will be effected by the eminent domain takings for this project, I was given some latitude by

nowayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12888151334270157094noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22816070.post-1158116712972945172006-09-12T22:54:00.000-04:002006-09-13T06:48:07.120-04:00

For anyone that is interested this is the basic timeline for the project.Sept 06 - Complete eminent domain takings and put project out to bidDec 06 - Bid Openings (my note) probably followed by awarding contract(s)Spring 07 - begin constructions - the road will remain open through out constructions as one lane in each direction.Fall 08 - project completion

nowayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12888151334270157094noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22816070.post-1158115172031821732006-09-12T21:20:00.000-04:002006-09-12T23:13:24.076-04:00

The results are inEach committee met and each had the same results261-06. AN ORDINANCE: Amending Chapter 169-24 of the Code of the City of Fitchburg (Parking prohibited at all times) as it pertains to Water Street, Benson Street and Bemis Rd.This ordinance change will move forward. The petition will eliminate all parking on Water St. from the city line to Abbott Ave and add no parking on Benson

nowayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12888151334270157094noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22816070.post-1157947297489450742006-09-10T22:21:00.000-04:002006-09-17T09:59:11.186-04:00

At the most recent City Council meeting (5 Sept 2006) three ordinance changes and a petition relating to the Rt 12 project were on the agenda. These changes we're told must be made before MassHwy can put the project out to bid and they want to put it out to bid by the end of the month so destruction can begin in the spring.Pardon me, but when did poor planning on the part of MassHwy become an

nowayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12888151334270157094noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22816070.post-1155206517108698782006-08-10T06:39:00.000-04:002006-08-10T22:36:04.736-04:00

If you haven't done so yet check out the new link - Roads Gone Wild. This is the future of road design. Take the time to read the whole article. Nearly everyone has the same reaction, it'll never work here, cause people here don't know how to drive. Yet cities the size of Fitchburg and larger have taken this approach and found that it does work here. The longer we take to get on board and

nowayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12888151334270157094noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22816070.post-1154719925171379452006-08-04T15:13:00.000-04:002006-08-04T15:32:05.260-04:00

Road user behavior is the product of the 3 Es:educationEngineeringenforcementRoad users include anyone that uses public roads, that includes everyone from the commercial truck driver down to pedestrians.On the education side quantity and quality is all over the map. Learners permit and license exams for obtaining a Commercial Driver License are intense and passing standards are high. In the

nowayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12888151334270157094noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22816070.post-1154266610722737822006-07-30T09:20:00.000-04:002006-07-30T18:04:24.540-04:00

As you may have noticed I haven't posted in over a month. It's not because there hasn't been anything of interest. I've just been that busy. I'll try to get some posts over the next week. Possible topics?rail trails - theres been an article in the T&G about the price for the trail between Leominster and Fitchburg, a letter to the editor in the S&E on same, and the opening of the steam line

nowayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12888151334270157094noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22816070.post-1149770935970302352006-06-08T08:23:00.000-04:002006-06-08T08:49:00.953-04:00

Several years ago it was reported that the Rt 31, John Fitch Hwy and Rindge Road met the warrant for installation of traffic signals. Today it was reported in the Telegram and Gazette that the intersection will instead be redesigned as a roundabout. This is good news. Roundabouts have lower accident rates than signals and lower injury and property damage levels than signals.FYI: in a

nowayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12888151334270157094noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22816070.post-1149599359790149292006-06-06T08:27:00.000-04:002006-06-08T08:23:05.636-04:00

Just my take on a few of the items on tonight's agenda195-06. AN ORDINANCE: To Amend Chapter 169-76 of the Code of the City of Fitchburg. (Stop Intersections)(First Reading)What is this? The number suggests it is a new petition/order. What's in it, who brought it and why is it going to a first reading rather than assignment to a committee?Update 6/8/06 - At the council meeting this was sent to

nowayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12888151334270157094noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22816070.post-1149550942116669212006-06-05T19:31:00.000-04:002006-06-06T09:31:06.793-04:00

If you've been through downtown Fitchburg over the past few days you may have noticed that they are once again busy painting the crosswalks red.Well it's not a very smart thing to do. The painted surface is a slip hazzard for pedestrians and single track vehicles. There were complaints last year from some of the Longjo riders about the slick crosswalks. Apparently, the complaints didn't reach

nowayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12888151334270157094noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22816070.post-1149154306343903522006-06-01T05:19:00.000-04:002006-06-01T05:34:00.553-04:00

The National Motorist Association (NMA) is promoting June as Lane Courtesy Month.And by the way in Massachusetts it is the law.

nowayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12888151334270157094noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22816070.post-1147570478116665122006-05-13T21:33:00.000-04:002006-05-16T12:00:09.710-04:00

The meeting was scheduled to begin at 7PM. I arrived a few minutes late but the meeting had not begun. This was probably to to the lack of a quorum. The committee members are Kaddy, DeSalvatore, Donnelly, DiNatale and DeMartino and only Kaddy and DeSalvatore were present. Donnelly arrived and th meeting was brought to order around 7:15. Kaddy announced that DiNatale was expected to arrive

nowayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12888151334270157094noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22816070.post-1146791455680477652006-05-04T20:24:00.000-04:002006-05-04T21:35:57.926-04:00

It's not about roads and traffic but it sure is interesting.To cover the cost of handling bulk items Fitchburg increased the fees charged to residents for disposal of items like appliances, electronics items and tires on January 1, 2006. Here's the new fee schedule.Fitchburg FeesThe new fees just didn't appear to be in line with the real costs. Today the following appeared in the online version

nowayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12888151334270157094noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22816070.post-1146022230341358342006-04-25T23:17:00.000-04:002006-04-25T23:33:21.706-04:00

Today the Telegram ran another article about the twincity rail trailPrice too high for Twin Cities’ bike trailThese rail trail folks are very unrealistic. I attended some of their early meetings. They were poorly attended. Typically 6 to 12 people. They had no idea they had a ROW conflict with the Rt 12 project. I brought the ROW issue up on several occasions, including a meeting at City

nowayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12888151334270157094noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22816070.post-1145848059588740812006-04-23T23:06:00.000-04:002006-04-23T23:32:02.680-04:00

On Sunday the S&E gave us the following editorialKeeping kids, and parents safe from busesIs speeding really the problem that the S&E has portrayed it as, not just today but every time they see an opportunity to write about it?What did the police that were interviewed for the S&E series of articles on Speeding and Cut throughs several years ago have to say about it.Chief Cronin from Fitchburg, "

nowayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12888151334270157094noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22816070.post-1145839425746845752006-04-23T20:05:00.000-04:002006-04-23T22:27:49.280-04:00

This week there were three motorcycle collisions in the area that were reported in articles in the S&E.The first occured on Monday, and was reported on Wednesday. Motorcyclist hurt in Route 2 wreckThere's not a lot of detail in the article. Commuters know however, that Rt 2 westbound from the I190 merge to just beyond the Rt 13 exit can be daunting during rush hour. Traffic backs up from Rt 13

nowayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12888151334270157094noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22816070.post-1145529327882926322006-04-20T06:29:00.000-04:002006-04-20T06:35:27.883-04:00

There seem to be two themes in S&E articles this week.This first is Speeding. From the biased report on Monday's Ward 6 meeting to the Willard St. traffic signals. The S&E just can't resist exagerating the issue.The second is motorcycle collisions. One on Rt 2 on Tuesday, two more on Wednesday (both involving elderly drivers). It's that time of year folks we're out there.I'll be posting more

nowayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12888151334270157094noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22816070.post-1145528947562468332006-04-20T06:16:00.000-04:002006-04-20T06:36:54.346-04:00

Today's S&E reports that the Twin City Rail Trail project has to give up a $500,000 grant because they cannot complete negotiations for aquiring the land from CSX before the mid-June deadline. Imagine CSX places a value of $9 Million on a strip of land 4.2 miles long reportedly ranging in width from 25 to 50 ft. much of which they don't even own.Gee, maybe we shoulda just used much of that ROW

nowayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12888151334270157094noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22816070.post-1144628172356845872006-04-09T19:25:00.000-04:002006-04-09T20:16:47.873-04:00

Over a week ago in a comment to the Quick comments on the Rt12 project.Dean Tran said...I listened to WEIM this morning on my way to work. Ray C had Mayor Mazarella on. The Mayor mentioned the handful of projects the city of Leominster is working on and/or slated to have in the near future including new exits coming off Rt2, more work on Rt13, Rt12 and others. How did Leominster managed to get

nowayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12888151334270157094noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22816070.post-1143776170363828112006-03-30T21:00:00.000-05:002006-04-27T05:29:23.256-04:00

I viewed the plans in the engineering department at Fitchburg city hall last August with a neighbor. The project originally planned as two phases in an attempt to make it more palatable has been merged into one project but the changes are minimal.The only significant change was made at the Bemis Rd end of the project where a through lane in each direction on Rt 12 has been eliminated. Water St

nowayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12888151334270157094noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22816070.post-1143770328050037082006-03-30T20:51:00.000-05:002006-03-30T20:58:48.096-05:00

The 25% hearing for phase 2 was held at City Hall in Leominster. By this time the uproar had pretty much died down. The hearing was sparsely attended. The plans showed the merging lanes at North Main and Erdman way being extended north to provide more space for south bound traffic to cue up for the signals and to allow more vehicles to get through the intersection north bound per light cycle.

nowayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12888151334270157094noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22816070.post-1143768131841461952006-03-30T20:20:00.000-05:002006-03-30T20:36:16.560-05:00

The 25% hearing for Phase 1 of the project took place on 28 Feb 2002 in the Fitchburg Public Library. If you've ever been to one of these you know that politicians get to speak first. The higher up the food chain the earlier you get to speak. Knuttila was first to speak and then he left. Kinda left me with the impression that he didn't think anyone else opinion was worth listening to - but

nowayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12888151334270157094noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22816070.post-1143767942593834422006-03-30T20:13:00.000-05:002006-03-30T20:19:02.603-05:00

The section of Rt 12 that is affected by the project today resides in a 50 ft ROW.There are 3 traffic signals at, Erdman Way, State Street, and Bemis Road. Except at Erdman Way there are no dedicated turning lanes. At Erdman Way there are dedicated left turn lanes on North Main Street. Most traffic delays on this section of road occur at the traffic signals. Sometimes there are delays at

nowayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12888151334270157094noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22816070.post-1143740786219498042006-03-30T12:45:00.000-05:002006-03-30T18:59:34.063-05:00

The project description on the MHW website is 603331 and it is NOT correct. I've reviewed the 75% blue prints for the project at city hall and they certainly do not match the description. (75% plans include pretty much everything that happens on this side of the pavement)Originally there were two project numbers 603331 and 603332 which are supposed to be combined in the 603331 project number.The

nowayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12888151334270157094noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22816070.post-1143087539735135712006-03-22T22:26:00.000-05:002006-03-22T23:18:59.806-05:00

There's been a lot of talk over the past 6 months about modifying the laws for Junior Operators.Three collisions involving deaths and serious injury over the past few weeks have increased the pressure to pass this legislation. But all these collisions involved operators that were violating the current JOL. Two kids killed and one seriously injured on Rt 128 - junior operator that wasn't

nowayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12888151334270157094noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22816070.post-1142210655889470562006-03-12T19:35:00.000-05:002006-10-28T22:27:13.213-04:00

Today 3/12/2006 the Telegram and Gazette ran two articles about the commute to Boston. One described the commute by rail the other by car leaving from the intermodal center using Rt 12 and Rt 2. Seemed to me the articles were written to highlight the benefits of using the trainTaking the train can be advantageous... if it goes where you need to be, but for most commuters it's impractical. For

nowayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12888151334270157094noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22816070.post-1141002444335817462006-02-26T19:53:00.000-05:002006-02-26T20:07:26.206-05:00

I've added a downloads section. The first download link, "Shared Space" is a newsletter. It may be a bit difficult to navigate unless you print it out, doublesided and fold it up correctly. I expect the idea of making roads "more dangerous" to make them safer will sound ludicrous to most, but once you accept the principal of risk homeostatis it makes perfect sense.The minimalist apprroach to

nowayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12888151334270157094noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22816070.post-1140906355868211502006-02-25T16:40:00.000-05:002006-03-12T22:38:19.306-05:00

Note that if it's in italics it's my commentary.Hey, it my blog that's why I created it.02/16/2006Public Safety Committee Meeting NOTE:Petitions are listed in the order they appeared on the written agenda. It is common to address petitions like 338-05 out of order to allow petitioners, supporters and opponents to leave early.This is the first PS committee meeting for DiMartino and DeSalvatore,

nowayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12888151334270157094noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22816070.post-1140886148072431232006-02-25T11:45:00.000-05:002006-02-25T11:52:48.626-05:00

By now I think we can all acknowledge that the stop sign fiasco wasn't about public safety. It's about politics and if you don't believe me then you can take it from the horses mouth, councilor Joel Kaddy himself. This quote of councilor Kaddy from todays S&E, "If we come up with some criteria, we can leave the politics out of it."Why did Jody Joseph not accept the PS committee's recommendation

nowayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12888151334270157094noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22816070.post-1140670973838165242006-02-22T23:43:00.000-05:002006-02-23T18:26:36.786-05:00

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

nowayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12888151334270157094noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22816070.post-1140580976063942002006-02-21T22:51:00.000-05:002006-02-21T23:02:56.073-05:00

I started this blog so I can post opinions about local politics and transportation issues. On transportation I'll focus on roads both local and highways, but I may also rant about the diversion of tax dollars (largely collected for roads through fuel taxes) from highways maintenance and construction to commuter rail and non-motorized transportation, aka rail trails.I have occassionally written

nowayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12888151334270157094noreply@blogger.com3