The meeting opened with a discussion about the proposed traffic changes on Spencer Avenue and its intersections with Vernon and Villa Streets. Engineering consultants suggested a pilot program to make Vernon Street one way towards Spencer Avenue and Villa Street one way in the opposite direction. The consultants argued that this change would help reduce cut-through traffic and lower vehicle speeds. However, residents expressed dissatisfaction with these recommendations. Bill F. Cari, a resident who brought the issue to the Commission’s attention, criticized the proposal, emphasizing that the problem extended beyond the targeted intersections. He highlighted that 40% of cars exceeded the city speed limit, and a few reached speeds over 35 mph. Cari’s concerns were echoed by other residents like Corey Karen and Natalie Bergos, who shared personal experiences of accidents and fears for pedestrian safety.

The Commission acknowledged the oversight in addressing the timing of the resident’s initial complaint and committed to revisiting the issue with traffic engineers. Suggestions included increased police traffic enforcement and the installation of radar signs to remind drivers of speed limits. However, the one-way street proposal was met with caution, as concerns about inconvenience and lack of feedback from residents of Villa and Vernon Streets were raised. The Commission decided to gather more data before proceeding with the one-way street recommendations, considering radar signs as a temporary measure.

Another topic was the consideration of installing stop signs and speed radar signs at the intersection of Spencer and Villa Streets to address speeding. The Commission reached a consensus on implementing a trial three-way stop sign and potentially adding no-parking signs within 30 feet of intersections to improve visibility.

The meeting also addressed the ongoing debate over speed bumps, a contentious issue due to opposition from the Chelsea Fire Department. Concerns were raised about potential damage to fire apparatus and the impact on emergency response times. Despite other cities using speed bumps effectively, Chelsea’s fire department maintained a strict policy against them. The Commission acknowledged the need for more data to support any installation and discussed exploring alternatives like narrower speed bumps that could accommodate fire trucks.

Parking regulations and urban development were also discussed, focusing on the impact of new parking meters and loading zones on retail businesses. Participants emphasized the importance of short-term parking for encouraging business growth and considered delaying meter implementation until retail tenants were established. The Commission approved loading zones, contingent on certain conditions, and discussed potential adjustments to meter durations to address parking challenges.

The meeting continued with updates on the downtown Broadway utility project, including temporary road closures and the demolition of the old Salvation Army store to make way for a mixed-use property. Discussions also included proposed regulations for electric scooters and bicycles, with concerns about their increasing prevalence on sidewalks and the need for stricter enforcement.

In addition to these topics, the Commission reviewed handicap parking applications, debated residential parking programs, and considered the installation of stop signs at intersections with frequent accidents.