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HomeMy WebLinkAbout05/19/2025 Southold Transportation Commission w„ Improved safety, Environmental Improvements, Quality of Life, n Efficient delivery, Coordination, Education MINUTES May 19, 2025 - 10:30 AM Attending: Margaret Newman, Chairperson, Anne Smith, Town Board Laison, Charlie Gueli, James Kalin; Police Chief Grattan; Dan Goodwin, Highway Superintendent, John Carter, Mary Bess Phillips, Greenport Village Liaison joined via zoom, Chris Shashkin. Absent Charles Peck Meeting called to order by Margaret Newman at 10:30AM. The April 2025 minutes were approved as amended with a change to the status of the traffic circle construction at Main and Route 48. It was corrected that the construction will continue. There was a discussion about the ongoing community concerns regarding speeding and volume on Peconic Bay Blvd. Chief Grattan made a few suggestions about initiatives to monitor speeds at peak hours and speed cushions. Dan explained how they would work and recommended a total of 4 or 5, appropriately spaced over the 3.8-mile road. The situation on that road has improved but problems persist. Enforcement can't be continuous, and there are drivers who will not adhere to speed limits. Chief Grattan plans to speak to the Chief of the Riverhead PD to discuss collaboration to improve enforcement and traffic routing. Regarding Peconic Bay Boulevard, the following resolution was approved unanimously: The Transportation Commission supports the strategies for traffic calming and enforcement of speed limits proposed by Chief Grattan. The Board should review townwide priorities and budget to decide on the best allocation of resources prior to implementation. Speed cushions and other traffic calming measures should be evaluated pending public hearing requirements, maintenance and cost considerations. At Main Bayview, a complaint was received regarding National Grid parking and litter. The Commission feels that National grid should perform regular garbage pick-ups and Southold Police should monitor their activities. Mary Bess gave an update on the Ferry Traffic issue. The repaving of the parking area should be completed by Friday 5/23 and that should allow things to return to normal. Anne will provide a Handbook at our next meeting. To clarify focus issues for each group, the Town Board is preparing Handbooks for all of the commissions, committees and advisory groups that support the Town In Mattituck, a few parking spaces have been added to Old Sound Ave. in front of the flower shop. The van that parks there has created a site obstruction for pedestrians wishing to use the crosswalk from the parking lot to the Presbyterian church. Cars are coming from the Main Road at speeds of 30 mph. This is a dangerous situation and complaints have been received. The NYSDOT has said that they would approve a repainting of the intersection area and the addition of a stop sign, but the work and expense would have to be performed by the Town. Another idea that was proposed is to reverse the one-way traffic on Old Sound Avenue, closing the road to westbound traffic. The goals of the current Comprehensive Plan, Chapter 4, Transportation and Infrastructure, from February 2020 need to be updated as they don't provide a true picture of current conditions. An update is needed to make suitable policy changes that apply to current conditions. The Transportation Commission suggested that updated data for private vehicles, trucks, ferry, rail, bus and cycling be included. We will be receiving a request to review the traffic-related aspects of the zoning updates which are in progress. The Transportation Commission will prepare a list of items for the Town Board to present at the upcoming NYSDOT meeting. This list will include funding for street flooding which should come from the State, a study of existing conditions, crosswalks, how these issues impact economic growth and quality of life. The Town Board is meeting on June 10t" to decide what the meeting with the DOT will cover, and representatives from the Transportation Commission will attend the meeting. Regarding co-naming a street, criteria and procedure need to be determined and finalized. An "Adopt-A-Road" concept was discussed as an alternative. This has been done successfully in other locations and would take the burden of maintenance away from the Town. Criteria from several NYC Community Boards were discussed as a possible model. New Business: Dand Goodwin advised that the Town would receive an additional $62K in our paving budget. The time and dates of our meetings will be revised once we have a town representative who can support the Transportation commission with recording minutes and setting up zoom recording of meetings. The next meeting will remain at 10.30 AM to noon, on June 16tn The meeting was adjourned at 12.01 PM.