A traffic engineer from VHB presented a analysis of the existing traffic conditions and the need for improvements to address traffic flow and pedestrian safety at this critical intersection. The presentation underscored existing congestion concerns and future traffic increase projections due to rising student enrollment. The engineer emphasized the inadequacies of the current infrastructure, particularly the left turn lane, and presented recommended changes to alleviate these issues, including a fully signalized intersection and roadway widening to accommodate future traffic demands.

The committee members engaged with the presentation, seeking clarifications and expressing interest in ensuring the solutions addressed the concerns raised by the public. A point of discussion was the need for additional access and safer pedestrian crossing opportunities on Hayden Row Street. A debate ensued regarding the necessity of maintaining certain sidewalk sections, with the acknowledgement that further conversations with the Department of Public Works were needed.

Furthermore, the proposal included changes to the road’s design, such as widening it to create 10-foot travel lanes and 4-foot shoulders, which would serve as traffic calming measures and provide space for bicycle travel and drainage. The possibility of striping a “do not block the box” line on Hayden Row Street was also discussed to prevent traffic from blocking Chamberlain Street, and the installation of a traffic signal was considered to help manage future traffic flow.

The committee also addressed the potential for school bus scheduling changes, with a focus on the stacking issues at school entrances and the need for flexibility in traffic design to accommodate future adjustments. A resident raised a concern about the left turn lane into the new school entrance, prompting discussion on the design and length of the turn lane to mitigate traffic stacking.

Budget considerations and project development also featured prominently during the meeting. The committee discussed the current budget status, indicating that the project was under budget, and considered various cost-reducing alternatives. These included reducing the number of wells drilled for geothermal heating and the potential for an occupied roof outside the art room. The committee weighed the pros and cons of sustainable design alternatives, such as replacing stone dust with plastic lattice work for the green parking area and revisiting past decisions in light of the current budget status.

In-depth discussions about the construction project covered the challenges presented by the soil on site, drainage issues, and the need for waterproofing measures. The use of proprietary materials for IT system hardware and locking systems was debated, citing compatibility and consistency as key factors, though concerns about cost implications were raised.

The meeting also touched on the timeline for submitting the expanded Environmental Impact Report (EIR) and the Design Development (DD) report to the Massachusetts School Building Authority (MSBA). There was a call for a subsequent meeting on May 14 to vote on these submissions, which would kick off the MEPA process. A member inquired about the frequency of budget updates, leading to an explanation that detailed vendor invoice packages would be provided during the construction phase.

The complexities of various building and landscaping choices were also debated, with topics including the potential of a green roof, the practicality of raising the grade of the site, and the long-term maintenance considerations for overflow parking.