[Summit] Fwd from Sam Zurier: Blackstone Blvd traffic, Schools, Firefighters

Mon Dec 14 16:36:40 UTC 2015

We have narrow lanes now, since the bike lanes were added, and mostly it
seems things have slowed things down without really increasing congestion.

I think neck downs need to be zig-zagged to be effective, and come right up
to the travel lane. The Lorimer neck downs seem to have mixed results.
Maybe neck downs and some raised crosswalks could accomplish as much for
less cost and less impact to plowing.

The plan as it is now is better than adding a bunch of stop signs, IMHO,
but seem heavy on the humps. In winters like last year, the impact of all
those humps on plowing will be significant, and big shots will complain.
I'm tired of paying for things that then have to be undone.

I have reservations about  the 2 way on one side idea. Commonwealth ave in
Newton is like that, and it is just not as nice as what we have.

In an ideal world, I'd like to see the center median widened, and the
center path widened to accommodate runners, walkers, roller blades and
cyclists. This would narrow the car lanes, prevent cars from using bike
lanes as passing lanes, make pedestrian crossings of pavement shorter, move
the cyclists away from the dreaded car doors opening from the parking lane,
and net increase the green space.

Another option, would be to move the bike lanes up against the curbs on
both sides,  followed by parking, followed by travel. Between bike and
parking, have a small strip of pavement (wide enough to keep cyclists clear
of opening doors and emerging passengers.  This would likely be cheaper to
implement and keeps people safe). Crosswalks would still be long unless you
incorporate them with neck downs.

On Mon, Dec 14, 2015 at 11:19 AM Andrew Nosal <andy at mapcenter.com> wrote:

> I see apartment sized SUVs going over 40 mph all the time.  15?  I wish.
>
> Neckdowns and narrow lanes would be much better than humps.  (In Germany
> they call it a toten polizei  - dead policeman)
>
> When some Blackstone Blvd Bigshot decides he does not like the sound of
> drivers gunning it each time they come off a hump, they will have to be
> removed.
>
> What should be done:  make the southbound side 2-way, with narrow lanes.
> Northbound side has barriers at intersections so each block is only a cul
> de sac for local access by cars, but bicycles etc can roll on through: a
> 2-way bike route.  North of the Cemetary entrance, the pavement can be
> removed except for a cycle track.
>
>
> On Dec 14, 2015, at 9:59 AM, Anne Holland <aholland at gmail.com> wrote:
>
> We need them on Summit instead where people drag race late at night due to
> the lack of stop signs
>
> Sent from my iPad
>
> On Dec 14, 2015, at 9:52 AM, Christopher Buecheler <cwbuecheler at gmail.com>
> wrote:
>
> Seriously? They're going to put speed bumps on a road where you're already
> lucky if you're not stuck behind an apartment-sized SUV doing 15 MPH?
>
>
>
>
>
> On Sun, Dec 13, 2015 at 6:33 PM, David Kolsky <davidjkolsky at yahoo.com>
> wrote:
>
>> This newsletter from the Second Ward’s City Councillor, Sam Zurier,
>> offers more specific details about the proposed traffic-calming measures on
>> Blackstone Boulevard and Butler Avenue. An open public meeting on the
>> subject will be held from 6:30 to 8 tomorrow evening (Monday 14 Dec.) at
>> Nathan Bishop School on Sessions Avenue at Elmgrove, opposite the Brown
>> Stadium and Jewish Community Center.
>>
>> (Which reminds me as the holiday closes, Happy Hanukkah !)
>>
>> Have a good week,
>>
>> Dave
>>
>> ----- Forwarded Message -----
>> *From:* Samuel D. Zurier <samforcouncil at verizon.net>
>> *To:*
>> *Sent:* Sunday, December 13, 2015 11:17 AM
>> *Subject:* December 13, 2015 Ward Letter
>>
>>
>> Ward 2 and City News for
>> December 13, 2015
>>
>> Meeting to Discuss Proposed Traffic Controls on Blackstone Boulevard
>> <https://us-mg6.mail.yahoo.com/neo/launch?.rand=a36i48hluen46#LETTER.BLOCK46> The
>> State's Education Aid Funding Formula
>> <https://us-mg6.mail.yahoo.com/neo/launch?.rand=a36i48hluen46#LETTER.BLOCK48> The
>> Fire Fighters Dispute
>> <https://us-mg6.mail.yahoo.com/neo/launch?.rand=a36i48hluen46#LETTER.BLOCK47>
>>
>> Dear David,
>>
>> As the tonight's last Chanukah candle concludes an early phase of this
>> year's Holiday Season, this week's ward letter discusses proposed traffic
>> controls on Blackstone Boulevard, the education aid funding formula and the
>> fire fighters' litigation.
>>
>> Download a pdf version.
>> <http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001lRKl8e7ikr5nsdZEnTol0hcwnx5A8cJczY0cg7qDiiAa3Q0n0OHT8GgUMSJVgGNWCA1JGBCkIy4YAZyB42qSzexI6FDDgqUc6dTNw8kCkYKAwXMWyJzaylrB3TviNXJjEmuOqek2mVN2Kr9-8-8f4VX-MQHoVLSwfLMN2cLCpYsJTF_0m6L8gMv3yDrLygzpR-88j2zMZEqb8vxsO-eo-gjoFnfEXbTUzZ2EeFI0d8pMllZvXn9-zo7CI4I_ENWQRyUhQdl0fMvGNwAIouwkrf4yGqNEDOfLUvTtInLeB-xS4iQmYYxCL9B_GrExzSM3OuCMldQwFl_ZNApTXFcfHP8ZXtc4aYcuID6YjqklB-ycrzQaS6N-Rw==&c=jUbaknM_uyciECG4GsyCNeQWSYNwjFOzndDQzOS_4XsSNzTvon9VpQ==&ch=4HTiFUEUrNcp4AqObmEjCKHDLssvf-PhzTWiWftGmArvwNpYRDkeUA==>
>>
>> Meeting to Discuss Proposed
>> Traffic Controls on Blackstone Boulevard
>>
>> Over the past year, a group of Blackstone Boulevard residents have met
>> with the Public Works Department to construct a plan to install traffic
>> controls on Blackstone Boulevard.  The plan calls for a combination of 24
>> speed lumps/humps, 19 raised crosswalks and 3 signs, which you can view by
>> clicking on these links: Map 1
>> <http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001lRKl8e7ikr5nsdZEnTol0hcwnx5A8cJczY0cg7qDiiAa3Q0n0OHT8GgUMSJVgGNWQDIzEz8qGqElhD7ifPLptbUYR0MmoidaL2m3qX-bKs9WdSZQdt7SfTpVk11bN7-LE-jLSPkvrQzkJ66cyY0e3RBFuaKFHJzWizmzRlvMde4m0meEn4XJqZ8IUc3nP2WxxM5UOfCbchRInMOxsL2vZfcJzznnXJnmsbqAFAgOH8qtG_1sKgoyqdbX-AGGA9M13mywFvSW63w7kVR56iIPPtlsO9fyedXZgzPRH-mqb9HTDDSeCaLro4M3XgCdR3-ZGJM0BNTRmI8qEZ7CW2Z8klM2L2IU1KKs&c=jUbaknM_uyciECG4GsyCNeQWSYNwjFOzndDQzOS_4XsSNzTvon9VpQ==&ch=4HTiFUEUrNcp4AqObmEjCKHDLssvf-PhzTWiWftGmArvwNpYRDkeUA==>,
>> Map 2
>> <http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001lRKl8e7ikr5nsdZEnTol0hcwnx5A8cJczY0cg7qDiiAa3Q0n0OHT8GgUMSJVgGNW82oOPLibSDAVsdl86qwU_A8wHTvzEzBeGThOF4RNq2EtRqsEXAny7ppO_l_GZ1MbBElcZH9nlC1_L0VfDX4QYagVt-kcMFGKoX5nvk2denw-asFclYJBeWW3WwVWsJWXr1YbWkKnUVKgZSQtUrQEB72TRkn37NmkdKTUUf_pDBL-NnBmX-PfQwz6SpiBmkqynhOMHW_4dhTYdFn6jws2Xw8faNux97lg3DmrVvOBSvQimCTcQFwzmSLraM3eIPfKKc--nPFVMO2vs_DmdkagRjI7sgOujavE&c=jUbaknM_uyciECG4GsyCNeQWSYNwjFOzndDQzOS_4XsSNzTvon9VpQ==&ch=4HTiFUEUrNcp4AqObmEjCKHDLssvf-PhzTWiWftGmArvwNpYRDkeUA==>,
>> Map 3
>> <http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001lRKl8e7ikr5nsdZEnTol0hcwnx5A8cJczY0cg7qDiiAa3Q0n0OHT8GgUMSJVgGNWLdeocl7UUSl-Pp0_caZWewySg6Lym3Yga7YBPn3Ni42IVUsajCYZcExQftzPb9tI7g44Sk0NJ9M8nChWEWvb2YA4FKjNy218t5wDKbbMW4c3yahGRhbDGHFdI8quJFiAVzAyuwI_0kWnHu03J4NIQD1K-1ykqa1pflQCsGQIvsHJHW56Q-FIgl8FDSCtL3xZI_RI9NeWjAC0DD96GnWncECi_bq_xtoJlLDOJ7vni5CUJANZ2yFudHc0_R4DRJbSBAdJBew6qbxIouz3vcMu7SEs9gqJ71yC&c=jUbaknM_uyciECG4GsyCNeQWSYNwjFOzndDQzOS_4XsSNzTvon9VpQ==&ch=4HTiFUEUrNcp4AqObmEjCKHDLssvf-PhzTWiWftGmArvwNpYRDkeUA==>
>> and Map 4
>> <http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001lRKl8e7ikr5nsdZEnTol0hcwnx5A8cJczY0cg7qDiiAa3Q0n0OHT8GgUMSJVgGNW7RizHIScYKXTXo8UA-L_Mc80IC8SyZnb1EhZfhZcBRFvm-iau0alUpDbtLYehs9OEbLtQ3UcKQx7K96ThSpaC2FkclmkZjYslBViyAhhCygi3vkTwlf3pYODZoILXl-srhe-Sepx_RoACYdfs8TqhaOKVkv7uykyd-cLRta3kPTRcY5pRNsSddRTd34AJ-Glo_6L1VENAdpHOVfdQ_99tWx-3pmMoOFxFL0OSaijayQooS9TL64icshve5n4LlzP5PPjY5c-Sa48yZ03-PbLVjfDdyN9mLJ-&c=jUbaknM_uyciECG4GsyCNeQWSYNwjFOzndDQzOS_4XsSNzTvon9VpQ==&ch=4HTiFUEUrNcp4AqObmEjCKHDLssvf-PhzTWiWftGmArvwNpYRDkeUA==>.
>> The City is holding a public hearing to solicit comment concerning the
>> plan, which will take place *Monday Night, December 14 at 6:30 - 8:00
>> p.m. at Nathan Bishop Middle School.*  Public comments are invited, and
>> people who have a strong view for or against are encouraged to attend and
>> speak.
>>
>> The Education Aid Funding Formula
>>
>> Last Thursday, the Governor's Working Group to review the State's funding
>> formula for aid to local school districts held a public hearing.  As noted
>> last week, the City Council approved a Resolution
>> <http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001lRKl8e7ikr5nsdZEnTol0hcwnx5A8cJczY0cg7qDiiAa3Q0n0OHT8A0uy0pLJceT0PiApIYnkTKUNOIDwe0Z4k_SEy_4D8yXJBMyUizZLZ8LMi4Cu7L1UfVUieOdbZ4UfYMOVtvaX9gT2bomyz_2S92WBq6pMN8LqZqhxNvWmSCsSIHFDePOiZe_l-r13xTxsJka0QkDdiMbsJ5_5VtYf3Z7bpdtc4WxAYJKm6KuxV9O0A6B06PFNnyLU3PEndC-zmq8Nho5o-0NHbsMtM7rR1Vnq4Yc8CqhMRljmNlJdWWsnZ986Iqa60R9ScWy-lOHDspRsg7Jq3ylYVBaiC-UYnOqAhw1rQLco1vCJ5wc5BGvhoHpS5yK_XepBEISfdML&c=jUbaknM_uyciECG4GsyCNeQWSYNwjFOzndDQzOS_4XsSNzTvon9VpQ==&ch=4HTiFUEUrNcp4AqObmEjCKHDLssvf-PhzTWiWftGmArvwNpYRDkeUA==>
>> promoting major changes to the formula and/or approval of a right to
>> education under Rhode Island's Constitution.  I attended the meeting, and
>> made a Public Comment
>> <http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001lRKl8e7ikr5nsdZEnTol0hcwnx5A8cJczY0cg7qDiiAa3Q0n0OHT8GgUMSJVgGNWR6o7FeZTVNQRF3EowAfVW3YS-Ey3oZ7aLc8UpPcQWEO5thaw4SdKLyFP0xqriXk6FbLLm06zsUJXtL6_5pvsx95mdqwgSsdYSaSOWLWgym_RqKowTWHTacf87kwYtmnkUJ3PczcBYud3FOnHw2TvUJolbHuP5Y2qDzmqbQ_PRr5sKcbIywSAzDm0D1dcGrzQOLOe8HwOjVBNq-oKWolHMxOLwtmBBY60tDk4uris4Sou6Oai03tC_SKME0uPDev1NIog9EOxPTCM4ZwgCUyADlq3RHo2_Amoiq8I_Gfa7xAwC3dtMzwMOg==&c=jUbaknM_uyciECG4GsyCNeQWSYNwjFOzndDQzOS_4XsSNzTvon9VpQ==&ch=4HTiFUEUrNcp4AqObmEjCKHDLssvf-PhzTWiWftGmArvwNpYRDkeUA==>,
>> which I supported with an 11-page Position Paper
>> <http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001lRKl8e7ikr5nsdZEnTol0hcwnx5A8cJczY0cg7qDiiAa3Q0n0OHT8GgUMSJVgGNWsEL7KBxckuPMyWiK2fQSe9EzMXp4QAIXcwvkV9TvTjU48Pce6N15CiFyBk0KRSH8O-AYJi069QxFzwq6aW511JAKNt0YcQn2sQtkL3n3Pog2MKi6DtqqgAQoHvgkFX3LXJofz47xVj6R85GNzwqiiEqUpTAfajmWD9YzgUBK6rv3BePFkEbax4YzQlLaoProH-bfhu85As6xOe3EyxSKBk401jbaXfw2EVB_mzaYTQygsgPZI9ZBFTZ1TMeOWLoNSxI3-Fh29aSG1mCUORcWJcx0rMwWisC-9T6ZmO7RLNnuoUuTJ_27_-e_eTu23MuxhXlaVwQt_yU_iHTZSvLngaZtuZkHUcoF-_JpjpmEzuHecgIH-dzNzAmTFWjwjwigrjQNFjNf1EgWdF6kkQXU9lFdfWr1yG38MjHtSDFcOMJtAA4ukcqJPXhIywlzpdA4r9uJynXCCEyRxuL89BbpK6ct_TuWw9xE3MPtYc--1GU=&c=jUbaknM_uyciECG4GsyCNeQWSYNwjFOzndDQzOS_4XsSNzTvon9VpQ==&ch=4HTiFUEUrNcp4AqObmEjCKHDLssvf-PhzTWiWftGmArvwNpYRDkeUA==>
>> and exhibits.  A group of urban superintendents submitted a Letter
>> <http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001lRKl8e7ikr5nsdZEnTol0hcwnx5A8cJczY0cg7qDiiAa3Q0n0OHT8GgUMSJVgGNWm0wS8QJ9UiVx9xz6wa60b2mDYZMT3DpibpbABtB9SXtJkoEKBZv9sWQq_oVH-agwuERDJSQMFpQ_6YaaM9ubSQbSIGqawTx7tr0kPgCA800LygX9YdDy7WRiA4jDdIOBTrkuQosbcB9pysA6F63q02C7_sG1LxMtSH733ZmMsf8ilFaOebmS1FPa9T3Zrkt-PGcujBGBeTocERxsU04iocTGUwChGFQunfAB0w68hZ60UcG_vJK_azuMxoek6oNTaoAByKF23oNrYu-_WCzYMJpBSE__phzC9wawayHjkCYH5jJP0KxEqE8UuPPriIpSN3pA8oXSIK2sCA8RdGGa-l640RfuaOXz-lJI4RkPyK-I9V7wFZY1ThwXgG0fGI39xbVZnCRtUvLorHKonuxLLuG1xeeafg5IUp97NbKXJa1nTAX-ACSEEomWCplXIomKC2QrnP4keHsAluDaW5DiZb2fcC1HbBOXim5aIUReSzZAAo1EWEjztg==&c=jUbaknM_uyciECG4GsyCNeQWSYNwjFOzndDQzOS_4XsSNzTvon9VpQ==&ch=4HTiFUEUrNcp4AqObmEjCKHDLssvf-PhzTWiWftGmArvwNpYRDkeUA==>
>> urging a separate funding stream for English Language learners.  When the
>> working group first met, it was told to limit its review to small
>> incremental changes; however, our presentations make the case that a more
>> thorough review is needed.
>>
>> The Fire Fighters Dispute
>>
>> Last Wednesday, the Supreme Court denied the City's motion to postpone a
>> pending "grievance arbitration" proceeding in the fire fighters dispute
>> until the Supreme Court's review was concluded.  The Superior Court ordered
>> the arbitrator to review the fire fighters' claim to additional pay as a
>> result of the administration's change to a  3-platoon shift structure.  As
>> a result of the Supreme Court's ruling, the appeal and the arbitration will
>> proceed in parallel.  While the administration sought to avoid this result,
>> I believe these parallel proceedings can be beneficial to the City.  By
>> proceeding on both tracks at once, we will reduce the time needed to get
>> answers to all the pending legal questions.  The parallel proceedings also
>> will provide both sides with a greater sense of urgency in trying to find a
>> settlement that reduces the enormous pending litigation risk.  A loss in
>> Court could push the City to the brink of bankruptcy, which might leave the
>> fire fighters with only a Pyrrhic victory.  In this regard, the parties may
>> benefit from the Supreme Court's Appellate Mediation Program, through a
>> retired justice or other mediator works with the parties to consider a
>> resolution short of a judicial decision.  In my own legal practice, former
>> Chief Justices Joseph Weisberger (of blessed memory) and Frank Williams
>> have been instrumental in helping parties achieve their goals by agreement,
>> often setting a foundation for productive future relationships.  Needless
>> to say, the City's dispute with the fire fighters is not a "one-off"
>> matter, and for this additional reason an agreed-upon resolution is even
>> more critical.  The parallel proceedings create a shorter time window,
>> which may help induce the parties to move beyond the escalating, toxic and
>> perilous impasse we face today.
>>
>>
>> Sincerely,
>>
>>
>> Visit My Website
>> <http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001lRKl8e7ikr5nsdZEnTol0hcwnx5A8cJczY0cg7qDiiAa3Q0n0OHT8PHjJBNOQnGQz8YakY_hHwIfRh92abB3uvL2EXDLxkNcym4XnJ-YfXg-_rbPpa9EZflqRIuC2Ih5W6PeSVWlQ8tQYAqAW6c7swdwP64QqnT1hqdRJrNTzo5gZSA7wVOEQ70Fq28reekG4TRx-AUjPYuUXhgpE5rqm60YYz9mXDa_nON4cgQsC4jJeuTPExetkBew26S56aw0HWq3yCFz5zX79Cue2dxCZ0_EHIW3uTKBgYntgPNn8_jZf-1gPLwntg==&c=jUbaknM_uyciECG4GsyCNeQWSYNwjFOzndDQzOS_4XsSNzTvon9VpQ==&ch=4HTiFUEUrNcp4AqObmEjCKHDLssvf-PhzTWiWftGmArvwNpYRDkeUA==>
>>
>>
>> <http://www.constantcontact.com/index.jsp?cc=news01>
>>
>> Friends of Sam Zurier | P.O. Box 603032 | Providence | RI | 02906
>>
>>
>>
>> _______________________________________________
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>>
>
>
>
> --
> -Christopher Buecheler - @cwbuecheler
> -http://cwbuecheler.com | Web, Writing, Cocktails and More
>
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