THIS MEETING CAN BE HEARD IN ITS ENTIRETY ON THE TOWN OF MIDDLETOWN WEBSITE WWW.MIDDLETOWNRI.COM OR THE DVD IS AVAILABLE AT THE MIDDLETOWN LIBRARY.
At a Special Meeting of the Town Council of the Town of Middletown, RI held by telephone conference at the Middletown Town Hall, 350 East Main Road, Middletown, RI on Thursday, January 21, 2021 at 6:00 P.M.
Council President Robert J. Sylvia, Presiding
Vice President Paul M. Rodrigues
Councillor M. Theresa Santos
Councillor Dennis B. Turano
Councillor Barbara A. VonVillas
Councillor Thomas P. Welch, III, Members Present
Councillor Terri Flynn, Absent
Members and Participants Present by Teleconference and Webinar/Meeting.
ALL SUPPORTING DOCUMENTATION TO AGENDA ITEMS ARE ON CLERKBASE THROUGH THE TOWN OF MIDDLETOWN WEBSITE https://clerkshq.com/Middletown-ri
POSTED – January 12, 2021
SPECIAL MEETING – JANUARY 21, 2021
The following items of business, having been filed with the Town Clerk under the Rules of the Council, will come before the Council at a Special Meeting to be held on Thursday, January 21, 2021 at 6:00 P.M. - Said meeting will be conducted by telephone conference call/ webinar, in accordance with Executive Order 20-46 issued by Governor Raimondo on April 15, 2020, extended to February 4, 2021, which modifies certain provisions of the Open Meetings Act (“OMA”) and the Access to Public Records Act (“APRA”) as part of the State’s emergency response to COVID-19. Members of the public may access and listen to the meeting in real-time by calling 1-877-853-5257 (Toll Free) or 1-888-475-4499 (Toll Free) and entering Meeting ID: 870 3592 3634; or on the web at https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87035923634.
Wendy J.W. Marshall, Town Clerk
Town of Middletown
Town Hall – 350 East Main Road
Middletown, Rhode Island 02842
Dear Ms. Marshall:
Pursuant to the provisions of Article II, Section 203 of the Town Charter and in accordance with Sections 42-46-2., 42-46-3., 42-46-4., 42-46-5 and 42-46-6., RIGL, I hereby call a Special Meeting of the Town Council to formally consider, discuss and vote upon the following items of business:
Said meeting will be held on Thursday, January 21, 2021 at 6:00 P.M. Town Council will meet in accordance with Executive Order 20-46.
____________________________________
Robert J. Sylvia, President
Middletown Town Council
| cc: | | Town Council | | | Town Administrator | | Town Solicitor |
| | | Finance Director | | | Human Resource Director | | Public Library |
This meeting location is accessible to the handicapped. Individuals requiring interpreter services for the hearing-impaired should notify the Town Clerk’s Office at 847-0009 not less than 48 hours before the meeting.
Posted on January 12, 2021 at Middletown Town Hall, Middletown Public Library, Middletown Web Site and Secretary of State Web Site.
Town Solicitor Peter B. Regan recused himself from this meeting, due to a possible conflict of interest.
1. Discussion regarding Paradise Avenue Traffic Study, Signage in the area and matters related thereto.
On motion of Vice President Rodrigues, duly seconded, it was voted unanimously to begin said discussion regarding Paradise Avenue Traffic Study, Signage in the area and matters related thereto.
Council President Sylvia noted the history of the traffic study on Paradise Avenue. Mr. Sylvia explained that in 2018 residents in the area requested a traffic study and enforcement of the area. Council President Sylvia noted summertime data shows over 2,100 people travel that road and at this time of year about 1,500 people travel that road.
Town Engineer Warren Hall addressed the Council noting that there was a public informational meeting on June 4, 2019, anyone who had frontage on Paradise Avenue was invited to the meeting. Mr. Hall noted the Fire Chief, Public Works Director and Police Department were also present for this meeting and the meeting was well attended. Mr. Hall explained at the meeting feedback was received from the residents and signage for the area was reduced at the request of the Scenic Roadway Board.
Bob Sykes, Civil Engineer, PARE Corporation, reviewed the workflow for traffic studies. Mr. Sykes noted similar studies within the Town.
Discussion centered around speeds on Paradise Avenue, accident data for the area, bicycle signs in the area, placement of signs in the area, residents of the area wanting more input on traffic calming measures, installations of speed humps in the area and having police presence on Paradise Avenue instead of all the signage and speed humps.
Cindy Briggs, 286 Paradise Avenue, addressed the Council noting that she does not want Paradise Avenue to look like West Main Road. Ms. Briggs explained that the signage takes away the country charm of the area. Cindy Briggs noted concern with the speed humps and emergency vehicles traveling over the speed humps. Ms. Briggs suggests less drastic measures first.
Chris Greenman, 300 Paradise Avenue, addressed the Council noting that people slow down for pedestrians and bicyclists. Mr. Greenman suggests speed traps, cameras and strictly enforcing the speed limit on the road.
Kate Greenman, 300 Paradise Avenue, addressed the Council noting she is unhappy with the speed humps. Ms. Greenman explained she is happy about reducing speed in the area for the safety of pedestrian and bicyclists and suggests a more measured approach instead of overkill.
Debra Lee, 272 Paradise Avenue, addressed the Council noting agreement with Kate Greenman. Ms. Lee explained that there must have been a disconnect at the public meeting; she understands the need for safety, but did not realize what would be implemented.
Andrew Riley, 598 Paradise Avenue, addressed the Council noting this proposal is overkill for a minor problem. Mr. Riley explained he walks Paradise Avenue daily and has not seen major problems.
Robert Fye, 603 Paradise Avenue, addressed the Council noting he has missed everything and was surprised when a 12’ foot bicycle sign appeared in front of his home. Mr. Fye requests the sign be moved a few feet, so it is not in front of his front door.
Police Chief Kewer, addressed the Council, noting the need for proper signage in the area to keep everyone safe. Mr. Kewer explained that there were traffic feedback signs in the area to slow motorist down. Chief Kewer noted it is visibility, education and enforcement which is needed to keep people safe.
Eli Lederman, 170 Paradise Avenue, addressed the Council noted agreement with Mr. Fye. Mr. Lederman explained he is against speed humps, but supports a speed camera for the area.
On motion of Council President Sylvia, duly seconded, to charge the Town Administrator, Town Engineer and Police Chief to orchestrate another meeting with the area residents and reach a compromise.
Discussion centered around trying other measures in the Paradise Avenue area to slow traffic down, scheduling a public meeting to discuss the traffic calming in the area and enforcement in the area, signage in the area and painting signage on the road in lieu of posted signage.
A vote was taken at this time.
On motion of Council President Sylvia, duly seconded, it was voted unanimously to charge the Town Administrator, Town Engineer and Police Chief to orchestrate another meeting with the area residents and reach a compromise.
On motion of Vice President Rodrigues, duly seconded, it was voted unanimously to adjourn said meeting at 7:19 p.m.
________________________________
Wendy J.W. Marshall, CMC
Council Clerk
This meeting location is accessible to the handicapped. Individuals requiring interpreter services for the hearing-impaired should notify the Town Clerk’s Office at 847-0009 not less than 48 hours before the meeting.
Posted on December 28, 2020 at Middletown Town Hall, Middletown Public Library, Middletown Web Site and Secretary of State Web Site.
Supporting documentation is available at http://clerkshq.com/default.ashx?clientsite=Middletown-ri