The City of Somerville Traffic Commission recently held a public meeting to updated and conduct a dialog with residents about parking fine increases and changes to various city streets.

By Adam Parise

Last Thursday, November 14, Somerville residents gathered at the Tufts Administration Building for a public meeting of the Traffic Commission to be updated on and discuss proposed parking fine increases and alterations to certain city streets.

Various options violations regarding different parking situations in the city of Somerville were proposed at the meeting. Overtime parking, which currently incurs a $25 fine is proposed to be increased to $50.

Another set of violations include parking for over 48 hours, parking in a taxi stand, parking in a restricted zone, parking in the high school concourse, commercial overnight parking, parking in the wrong direction, parking on the sidewalk, parking in a loading delivery zone, parking more than one foot from the curb, parking in a construction zone, parking in a traffic island and parking in a no stopping zone, which all currently have a fine of $30 in the city of Somerville are proposed to be increased to $50.

The final set of violations that were discussed include parking within 20 inches of an intersection, parking with an unattached trailer and leaving less than 12 inches in space, all invite $40 fines in the City of Somerville and are proposed to increase to a fine of $50.

Also discussed was a request from the city’s Engineering Department to temporarily change Merriam St. (between Somerville Ave. and Washington St.) into a two-way street for approximately three months, as the Somerville Ave. contractor prepares to begin excavating and installing new stormwater box culvert at that intersection.

Because the current traffic configuration of Merriam Street is one-way southbound towards Somerville Ave., a proposal of exiting Merriam St. will be restricted due to limits and presence of this work zone. Another proposal from the Engineering Department is to temporarily remove approximately 3-4 residential permitted parking spaces on Merriam St. to facilitate two-way traffic, as egress onto Somerville Ave. will be restricted. The request to remove these parking spaces will allow for two vehicles to safely pass each other given the existing narrow roadway width. This request is being made for a duration of approximately three months in conjunction with the proposal of changing Merriam St. into a two-way street.

Another proposal by the Engineering Department for Merriam St. is to install a Dead End or Not a Thru Street sign at the intersection of Merriam St. and Washington St. for a duration of three months in conjunction with the two-way street and the removal of the residential permitted parking spaces.

Additional discussion at the meeting concerned the Engineering Department’s proposal to remove two residential parking spaces at each of the northern corners of Stone Ave. at the intersection of Columbus Ave., as well as three spaces on Columbus Ave. opposite Stone Ave. for a duration of approximately one month. The proposal is being made in this case to facilitate turning movements of emergency vehicles and fire apparatus during the time of which Stone Ave. is inaccessible from Somerville Ave. due to box culvert installation.

A proposal to designate or extend a total of 55 different streets in the Winter Hill Neighborhood as 20 mph safety zones was also discussed. This proposal will also be designated or extended to 15 different streets in the Ten Hills Neighborhood.

A request was made by the Somerville City Council for the Traffic Commission to co-sponsor a Public Hearing with the City Council Traffic and Parking Committee of the Whole on the Broadway Bus/Bike Lanes. The date for this meeting has not yet been released but will be announced at a later time. Residents got to participate and voice their opinions on this issue. One resident voiced agreement to these proposals and increase in fines because they were tired of others blocking their driveway and also for parking in no parking zones/handicap spots.

For more information regarding these proposals and the Traffic Commission’s activities, residents can contact the Secretary of Traffic and Parking, Laura Accaputo, by phone at 617-666-3311 or email at LAccaputo@somervillema.gov.