Special Meeting of the Committee on Public Safety, Health & Traffic

SPECIAL MEETING

COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC SAFETY, HEALTH & TRAFFIC

March 16, 2026 at 5:00 PM

Chairman Vincent called the meeting to order.

The Clerk called the roll.

Present: Aldermen Vincent, Goonan, Dexter, Barry

Absent: Alderman Thomas

1. Communication from Caleb Dobbins, Highway Chief Engineer, requesting the following changes to the parking regulations on Hanover Street which will allow the Downtown Sidewalk project design phase to progress:

CROSSWALK - On Hanover Street, east of the private way (old Nutfield Ln)

NO PARKING ANYTIME - On Hanover Street, south side, from Nutfield Ln to Chestnut Street - On Hanover Street, north side, from Elm Street to a point 260 feet east - On Hanover Street, north side, from a point 340 feet east of Hanover Street to Chestnut Street

NO PARKING – LOADING ZONE - On Hanover Street, north side, from a point 260 feet east of Hanover Street to a point 80 feet further east

RESCIND METERS- 2 HOURS - On Hanover Street, north side, from a point 50 feet west of Chestnut Street to a point 60 feet westerly (ORD 7787) - On Hanover Street, north side, from Nutfield Ln to a point 158 feet west of Chestnut Street (ORD 7784) - On Hanover Street, south side, from Nutfield Ln to Chestnut Street (ORD 7780)

RESCIND NO PARKING- LOADING ZONE - On Hanover Street, north side, from a point 110 feet west of Chestnut Street to a point 48 feet westerly (ORD 7692)

RESCIND NO PARKING- LOADING ZONE 8AM-8PM MON-SAT - On Hanover Street, north side, from Chestnut Street to a point 50 feet west (ORD 8485)

Matthew Normand, City Clerk: This item was referred to committee by the Board on March 3, 2026. Since that date, an alternate design and corresponding traffic regulations have been submitted by the Department of Public Works, which is attached to the agenda.

Chairman Vincent: I understand people have a lot of things to say about this.

Alderman Dexter: There has been a lot of discussion about this item. I would like the alternative plan to move forward. That includes two loading zones on the north side of Hanover Street, and no parking. There were also a few scrivener's errors that were fixed.

On motion of Alderman Dexter, duly seconded by Alderman Goonan, it was voted to approve the alternative Hanover Street parking regulations and to expedite the committee's report to the Board of Mayor and Aldermen. The motion carried unanimously by all members present.

Chairman Vincent: This gives anyone from the public who would like to speak on this the opportunity tomorrow evening to speak before the full Board during public comment.

2. Communication from Jeff Belanger, Planning and Community Development Director, requesting approval of a resolution to re-delegate authority to the Planning and Community Development Department to issue permits for attachments to buildings, including signs, that extend into the public right-of-way no more than 10 feet and are a total of 150 square feet or less in area per side.

On motion of Alderman Goonan, duly seconded by Alderman Dexter, it was voted to approve and to expedite the committee's report to the Board of Mayor and Aldermen. The motion carried unanimously by all members present.

There being no further business, on motion of Alderman Goonan, duly seconded by Alderman Dexter, it was voted to adjourn.

A True Record. Attest.

Clerk of Committee

Meeting Start Time: 5:00PM Meeting End Time: 5:02PM Minutes Prepared By: Michael Intranuovo