Traffic Recommendations Before Selectmen Tonight

The town Traffic Study Committee is expected to recommend at Elmwood and Paradise and limited expansion of Beach.

The committee will make their recommendations to selectmen tonight at the board’s regular meeting — 7 p.m. at Town Hall.

Traffic committee members met last week at the Senior Center.

About a dozen residents attended the meeting, most of whom were from the Elmwood neighborhood.

Resident Pat Desmond said a temporary median on Elmwood where it butts up against Paradise has slowed vehicles turning from the main road on to Elmwood.

As a temporary measure and an experiment, the town placed traffic barrels in the middle of Elmwood at the lower end.

In addition, the town restricted parking on both sides of Elmwood for the last 30 feet or so before the Paradise intersection.

Tonight the traffic committee is expected to recommend installation of a permanent median island.

Also, the committee is expected to recommend limited expansion of parking near Phillips Beach.

The committee includes police, fire and public works representatives as well as Assistant Town Administrator Dave Castellarin.

Committee members have visited the site and taken measurements.

Three residents told committee members that expanded parking would increase traffic.

The assistant town administrator disagreed. 

“If we add eight spaces I don't think it will increase the volume of traffic,” he said.

Committee members stressed the need for compromise.

Other items before selectmen tonight include an update on the former Senior Center and a public hearing on Aggregate Industries’ request for an earth removal permit for the next year at 30 Danvers Road.