CITY OF WORCESTER

Traffic and Parking Committee Meeting

Thursday, February 8, 2024

WHA Conference Center, 630A Plantation Street

Convened: 5:34 P.M.

Adjourned: 6:32 P.M.


Mayor
Joseph M. Petty

 

www.worcesterma.gov

 

Clerk of the City Council
Nikolin Vangjeli

Committee Members

Chairperson Donna M Colorio
Vice Chairperson Khrystian E King
Councilor Thu Nguyen
 

City Hall - 455 Main Street Worcester, Massachusetts


Present Were:Chairperson Councilor Donna M. Colorio Councilor Thu Nguyen
 
Also:Councilor Candy Mero-Carlson Commissioner of Transportation and Mobility Stephen Rolle WPD Sergeant James Foley Deputy City Clerk Stephen A.J. Pottle, clerk
 
1.

Virtual Attendee Call-In Information

1a.

Pursuant to Chapter 20 of the Acts of 2021 and in order to ensure active, public engagement, the City of Worcester currently allows for both in-person and remote participation at all City Council and Standing Committee meetings. To partake in the meeting, you may attend the meeting in-person within the meeting location, follow the below link to join via Zoom or dial the direct line as indicated.

Traffic and Parking Committee Zoom Link: https://zoom.us/j/92893960051
Traffic and Parking Committee Zoom Phone Number: (929) 205 6099
Traffic and Parking Committee Zoom Access Code: 928 9396 0051

Attachments
2.

Approval of the Minutes

2a.

Order - That the City Council Standing Committee of Traffic and Parking hereby approves the minutes of the Traffic and Parking Committee meeting of January 31, 2024.

Attachments

Chairperson Councilor Colorio read the item and moved to adopt the item. Order adopted

3.

Miscellaneous Item

3a.

Transmitting informational communication relative to adopting a statutory speed limit of 25 mph and the establishment of Safety Zones with 20 mph speed limits. # 13a CC December 12, 2023

In Committee January 31, 2024 - Held

Attachments

Chairperson Councilor Colorio recognized the Commissioner of Transportation and Mobility, who provided a presentation on the proposed statutory speed limit and establishment of Safety Zones.

Chairperson Councilor Colorio recognized Councilor Nguyen, who discussed the possible negative impact of the proposals, additional research concerning application of statutory speed limit of 25mph and traffic enforcement efforts with the Commissioner of Transportation and Mobility and the WPD Sergeant.

Chairperson Councilor Colorio recognized the WPD Sergeant, who discussed the application of the lidar system for traffic enforcement and how to address traffic challenges in environment justice communities with Councilor Nguyen and the Commissioner of Transportation and Mobility.

Chairperson Councilor Colorio recognized the following speakers:
1. Asma S., Worcester resident, spoke in favor of the item
2. Sarah Moore, Worcester resident, spoke in favor of the item
3. Robert Bilotta, Worcester resident, spoke in favor of the item
4. Eric Stratton, Worcester resident, spoke in favor of the item
5. John Goins, Worcester resident, spoke in favor of the item

Chairperson Councilor Colorio recognized the Commissioner of Transportation and Mobility, who discussed the process and timeline following the adoption of the proposed statutory speed limit and Safety Zones with Speaker #1 and the WPD Sergeant.

Chairperson Councilor Colorio recognized the WPD Sergeant, who discussed the usage of lidar system with Speaker #2.

Chairperson Councilor Colorio recognized Councilor Mero-Carlson, who discussed the differences between the two proposals with the Commissioner of Transportation and Mobility.

Chairperson Councilor Colorio moved to recommend the item be held.

Recommend Hold.