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Commercial Street Congestion Causes ConcernsBy Jen Thomas - April 03, 2008
iBerkshires Staff
 | | Commercial Street in Adams. |
ADAMS — Severe congestion along Commercial Street during the morning hours has the Selectmen and Police Chief Donald Poirot concerned about future traffic problems and resident safety.
In addition to the vehicles that typically travel the Route 8 corridor through the center of town, hundreds more cars contribute to the early morning traffic jams when parents drop off their children at the C.T. Plunkett Elementary School or the Berkshire Arts and Technology Charter Public School. Along that stretch of road — just beyond Commercial Street's intersection with Park, Myrtle and Center streets — cars trying to enter or exit the McDonald's parking lot also add to the chaos.
"All it takes is one or two vehicles to pull into McDonald's, one or two vehicles to come out of the charter school or out of the Plunkett School and you've got a traffic jam," said Poirot at Wednesday night's meeting of the Selectmen.
The issue came before the board because it had previously requested the most recent report about traffic trends in that area, said Town Administrator William Ketcham. Poirot's information, pulled from a 2004 report from the traffic commission, detailed problems with the setup, including narrow roads, a lack of places to put proper signage and general traffic backup.
With approximately 300 students enrolled at BArT and approximately 600 at Plunkett, the influx of cars on Commercial Street, especially those attempting to make left turns, swiftly backs up traffic. Much of the traffic is redirected along Liberty Street to relieve the tension but so many cars in such a short span inevitably causes problems, explained Poirot.
"There's 1,200 cars traveling through there in about an hour's time," Poirot said, who also called the placement of signs "impossible" because they would need to be erected on private property.
Selectmen Edward MacDonald suggested arranging for students to be dropped off at the crossing guard post on Center Street, which would ease congestion of the main drag. The children could then walk "the couple hundred feet" to school.
"It's an extremely congested intersection and there's no good alternative routes around it," said Ketcham.
Traffic Commission member Thomas Satko also noted that BArT has a stipulation on its permit and occupancy agreement that it monitor the parking situation and consider re-evaluation at a later date, if necessary.
The Selectmen voted unanimously to send the issue to the Traffic Commission for a recommendation.
Chairman Joseph R. Dean Jr. marveled at how nothing had been done for nearly four years on the issue.
"This report from 2004 is addressed to me. I was the chairman then, too. It's taken this long to get this settled," Dean said.
In other business, the board heard an update from Satko, also the director of public works, about the flooding at Reid Field. Saying the 36-inch culvert there works "most of the time," Satko told the board that there are already $1.5 million worth of drainage and flooding priority projects ahead of the Reid Field one.
"So far, it hasn't done any monetary damage. It's more of an inconvenience and a nuisance when it does overflow," Satko said.
He named projects on East Hoosac Street, Jordan Street and Depot Street, among others.
Agreeing to put the problem on the back burner for now, Dean said he didn't think the issue was truly a priority.
"When you see houses going down the stream, then you've got a problem," he said.
The board also:
Scheduled a public hearing about Lane Construction's installation of an above-ground fuel tank for April 16 at 7:10 p.m. at Town Hall.
Approved seasonal employees and the secretary to the Finance Committee.
Announced the closing of fiscal 2009 annual town warrant on April 16.
Rescinded a previous vote requesting a log of town vehicles' travel because Dean said a procedural change needed the approval of a full board. The issue will be placed on the agenda for the next meeting. |
| adams is not the only place in denial. When you look at the crime rate in adams you have to admit that we have it pretty darn good. My husband sometimes takes our son to school at plunkett. What he told me is most of the traffic is from parent just like him dropping their children off at ctplunkett. As far as the selectmen go this has and always be an issue we cant win. If you feel you can do better run and let the chips fall where they might. | | from: zckattck | on: 04-04-2008 |
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| Don't worry about Reality Amused. Adams is a town in denial. THey wouldn't know a good thing if it fell on them. The selectmen are a bunch of idiots cause nobody good will run any mre. The glen will save us all. I can't wait to get my tax bill this year! | | from: 57 and outta here | on: 04-03-2008 |
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| No...amused is not amused. I spent a long time involved in community service around the Berkshires...a good chunk of my time in Adams.... and at no other time did I ever experience such levels of back-stabbing, political grandstanding and blatant disregard for the feelings and efforts of others as I did during my time serving Adams. I had to get out for my own health and well-being. I'm simply trying to bring to the attention of anyone reading this that the townspeople of Adams REALLY need to pay attention to what's going on because your future is being compromised week after week, month after month by a very reactive, out-of-touch board of Selectmen with selfish personal agendas. If you knew half of what I know about the proverbial ol' boys network...new and old, you'd be sick to your stomach. I will back off when I see solid, pro-active, positive change in Adams politics....I made my attemp at change years ago. All I'm trying to do is raise awareness. What I write is cold-hard fact. There is absolutely no reason to feel sorry for me....the townspeople as a whole? That's another story. | | from: Amused | on: 04-03-2008 |
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| Amused, you sound anything but. Re-read your comments. Sarcastic, very unhappy, and very unhelpful. I feel sorry for you. | | from: Reality | on: 04-03-2008 |
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| Sorry...where's the bullet item reflecting the setting of a date for the "annual" economic development (strategic) planning session? Skipping this year again too? The last one was done...when?...2004/2005? And that was called a "3 year plan" (tick/tock). Discussion on McDermid plant redevelopment (Mr. MacDonald...any news? You were asked to "lead the charge" on MacDermid and what could be done by your board back in, when, 2003)? Curtis Fine papers? Any news/followup? Hmm, The town "Master Plan" is over 50 years old...when do we start talking about that? I thought the town had a committee together to examine it yet I see no news? Or was that dissolved as well in the purge of 2006? (Heavy sigh) Time to give up I guess. We'll just deal with traffic congestion and dog poop and leaving the heavy lifting to......?????????? | | from: Amused | on: 04-03-2008 |
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