At the intersection of Northshore Road and Vera Street in Oak Island, the commission deliberated on potential safety measures following multiple incidents where vehicles struck a property on Northshore Road. The property owner has been advocating for intervention for over twelve years, with the most recent incident involving a vehicle crashing into a pole and damaging the property’s fence. The commission discussed the possibility of collaborating with the Massachusetts Department of Transportation to install barriers or guardrails to protect residents. This location’s history of accidents underscores the urgency to explore solutions that could mitigate the risk of future vehicle strikes.

In a related effort to improve traffic safety, Mayor Keefe requested Chief Levita to enforce Massachusetts General Laws chapter 91 section 1E, focusing on motorized scooters. The chief of police, in collaboration with the superintendent of public works, was tasked with developing educational campaigns targeting students. These campaigns aim to inform them about the laws governing scooter use. Prior discussions with school officials had already laid the groundwork, with updates being provided to school resource officers. The implementation of these campaigns is intended to prevent accidents and ensure compliance with state regulations.

Another topic addressed during the meeting was the proposed amendment to the city’s parking penalty structure. The amendment seeks to align parking fines with those of neighboring cities, as part of the upcoming 2025 fiscal year budget. The proposal would shift groups within the penalty structure, reflecting modern enforcement priorities. The commission agreed to move this item to a public hearing for further discussion.

Julie Dearo, a transportation coordinator from the Department of Community Development, presented changes to the scoring rubric for evaluating petitions for traffic calming measures. The new rubric requires petitions to originate from the neighborhood, supported by at least ten resident signatures, and specifies locations for data collection. This approach aims to ensure that requests are precise and actionable. Recent data collection efforts, such as those on Haden Street, revealed no speeding issues, leading to recommendations against further traffic calming measures. However, targeted enforcement during peak times was suggested due to increased traffic when school resumed.

Centennial Avenue was identified as a candidate for traffic calming measures, despite not meeting the 85th percentile for speed limit violations. The volume of speeding vehicles on this street justifies consideration for a raised crosswalk and drainage improvements. Meanwhile, Campbell Avenue, which already has speed humps, showed a high volume of speeding cars, prompting the need for additional measures such as speed pillows. The street’s geometric layout necessitates a review, potentially involving bumpouts or extending the median island. This project may require significant planning, considering both surface and underground utilities.

The traffic working group also anticipates further data collection in areas like Mills Avenue, Rice Avenue, Lantern Street, and East Mountain Avenue. New infrastructure improvements on East Mountain Avenue necessitate reevaluation to assess their impact on traffic speeds.

The commission also addressed routine items such as the establishment of a one-way street near Kerry Avenue High School and the placement of “Do Not Enter” signs to manage traffic flow. A stop sign was approved at the intersection of Winthrop Avenue and Webster Street to address speeding concerns, and additional parking regulations were discussed, including handicap parking designations and no-parking zones.