Town Government &
  Services:

Committees Home Page

Traffic Committee

Meeting Minutes

Committees: Traffic Committee

Traffic Committee

The Traffic Committee is an advisory committee and makes recommendations to the Board of Selectmen for implementation.  It considers all aspects of traffic and safety issues which are brought to the Committee's attention from citizens as well as Town Departments.  For many years it consisted of representatives of the Police Department, Fire Department, Department of Public Works, Parking Clerk, Planning Board, and Light Department.  In 1997, the committee was reorganized to include three citizen representatives, appointed for three year terms, plus the Police Chief (Chairman), Fire Chief, Town Planner and DPW Superintendent.

The Traffic Committee exists to assist Hingham residents and business owners with ways to alleviate traffic concerns in all areas of the Town. The Traffic Committee does not have the power to implement changes but rather recommends proposals to the Board of Selectmen.

Should a resident or merchant have a topic to bring before the Traffic Committee, they should make a written request to the Board of Selectmen, cc: Chief Michael Peraino, Hingham Police Department. Questions regarding traffic issues can by addressed by Sgt. Steven Dearth, Traffic Sergeant, Hingham Police Department, 781-749-1212.

2012 Report

The Traffic Committee exists to assist Hingham residents and business owners with ways to alleviate traffic concerns in all areas of the Town.  The Traffic Committee does not have the power to implement changes but rather recommends proposals to the Board of Selectmen.

The issue of handicap parking on Shipyard Drive was discussed and subsequently a space was installed adjacent to Hingham Beerworks.  Although the Shipyard had originally been in compliance with the number of handicap parking spaces in the complex, the existing spaces may not have been convenient for all who shop there.  This additional space will improve the situation from both a safety and convenience standpoint.   

South Street residents presented a petition signed by 44 residents of South Street and South Lane requesting that signs be posted to slow the speed of drivers in their neighborhood.   After conducting a speed study, it was determined that vehicles were not travelling at an excessive rate of speed.  Instead, “Thickly Settled” signs were installed near South Shore Country Club and prior to Forget Me Not Lane.   “Thickly Settled” signs indicate that the speed limit is an enforceable 30 MPH.

A crosswalk with pedestrian sign was also installed at that location since it was determined that there had not previously been a sign posted at the crosswalk near Forget Me Not Lane. 

North Street residents requested that signs be installed in the vicinity of the Lincoln statue and St. Paul’s School.   A speed study was conducted by Sgt. Dearth and results showed that the average speed travelled was 24 MPH which is below the speed limit of 30 MPH.   A fog line will be added by the DPW to delineate the area for safety purposes but that must be done in the Spring of 2013.    The School Department will be contacted regarding the relocation of the bus stop.  It was noted that the intersection is not in the Top 10-15 High Accident Locations.    The estimated cost to redesign the intersection would be $100,000-$200,000 according to Harry Sylvester of DPW.  

Results of the Yearly Comparison of Crash Locations was presented by Sgt. Dearth.  This study shows the intersections with the highest number of crashes for each year.   The five intersections with the most crashes are State roads: Summer Street at the Rotary, Whiting/Derby/Gardner, Otis/Summer/North, Chief Justice Cushing Hwy./East Street (3A & 228) and Lincoln/Downer/Thaxter/Broad Cove Road. Number 6 is a Town controlled road which is Main/Cushing/S. Pleasant Street.   A letter was sent to Mass. Department of Transportation suggesting that striping, Lane markers and signage be added to assist in clarifying the situation for drivers entering and exiting the Rotary and therefore improve safety for all motorists on Rte. 3A.  

The Traffic Committee continued to monitor the accident occurrences at the intersection of Main Street and Cushing Street in 2012.  Based on available data, there have been 6 accidents which occurred there.  One of the accidents was not witnessed in terms of a police response but in the interest of completeness, we include it as part of the data collection that we have.  The situation at the intersection is essentially static, however the Traffic Committee notes that a subcommittee specifically tasked with examining this intersection is due to convene and take an additional look at previous findings, consider any new submissions from residents and report accordingly.  Once again, the Traffic Committee thanks the citizens of Hingham for their ongoing interest in suggesting ways to improve the free and efficient flow of traffic and pedestrian movement within the streets and on sidewalks of Hingham.

Should a resident or merchant have a topic to bring before the Traffic Committee, they should make a written request to the Board of Selectmen, cc: Chief Michael Peraino, Hingham Police Department.  Questions regarding traffic issues can be addressed to Sgt. Steven Dearth, Traffic Sergeant, Hingham Police Department, 781-804-2205.

Chief Michael J. Peraino, Chairman - Represented by Sgt. Steven Dearth

Chief Mark Duff - Represented by Lt. John Haley

Harry Sylvester, Department of Public Works

Paul Healey, Planning Board

Scott Peterson, Esquire

James Costello

Daniel Zivkovich