September 19, 2007

Northbridge Board of Selectmen

Memorial Town Hall

Memorial Square

Whitinsville, MA 01588

Proposed Relocation/

North Main Variety

Streetlights – Church Street &

Prov. Rd, Rockdale

Dear Board Members,

The Northbridge Safety Committee met on Wednesday, September 19, 2007 in the police station conference room. The following members were present: Gary Nestor, Walter Warchol, Richard Sasseville, Gary Bechtholdt, George Murray and Peter Bedigian. Joseph Montecalvo was absent.

Also present was Kevin Quinlan, Lane and Hamer, and Stephen Tran, owner of North Main Variety Store.

A motion was made by George Murray and seconded by Dick Sasseville to accept the minutes of the June 20^th meeting. The vote on this was unanimous.

The following items were discussed and are being forwarded to the Board of Selectman as recommendations of the Safety Committee.

STREETLIGHTS: Church Street, Whitinsville and Providence Road, Rockdale

Dick Sasseville showed members a plan to shut off 16 ornamental streetlights at the above two location. This is being done due to the town’s budget problems. Plans show

nine streetlights being turned off in Whitinsville and seven lights being turned off in Rockdale.

Mr. Sasseville indicated that no lights will be turned off in the area of the “bumpouts”.

The lights being turned off are ornamental and are owned by the town, which will result in no cost to the town. If the National Grid lights are turned off, the town would have to pay.

A motion was made by Peter Bedigian and seconded by George Murray to accept the

recommendations of the DPW director. The vote was unanimous.

Page two

PROPOSED RELOCATION OF NORTH MAIN VARIETY STORE

Mr. Kevin Quinlan of Lane and Hamer and Stephen Tran, owner of North Main Variety Store appeared before the committee regarding the proposed move of the above store.

Plans show for North Main Variety to be relocated across the street to 206 North Main Street, the former office of Dr. McNeil.

Chief Warchol expressed concern that vehicles might park in front of the building on North Main Street. He felt this would be hazard for vehicles coming over the hill traveling North on North Main Street.

Mr. Quinlan stated that parking would be provided in the rear of the building for customers. There will be an additional five spots in front of the store (2 handicap spots and 3 regular spots). The entrance to the rear parking lot will be one way (side closest to Overlook Street) and vehicles will then exit one way out on the other side of building. Signs will be posted on the building directing vehicles to the rear of the building utilizing the one way in/one way out.

It was noted that all deliveries to the store will be made from the rear and side of the building so that no trucks are staging on North Main Street. No additional curb cuts would be needed in front of the building.

Members of the committee discussed the possibility of installing two “no parking signs” in front of the store on North Main Street. This matter was tabled for now and will be readdressed if a problem with parking exists once the store opens.

A motion was made by Gary Bechtholdt and seconded by George Murray to accept the plans as presented with the above recommendations.

CORRESPONDENCE:

n Chief Nestor read a letter from Sharon Susienka, Asst to Town Manager

stating that the Board of Selectmen accepted the minutes of the June

20^th meeting.

n Chief Nestor read an email that Selectman Ampagoomian had forwarded

to Town Manager Ted Kozak re: a streetlight that had been shut off on

Hill Street across the street from the Northbridge Center Cong. Church.

This email was from a lifelong resident of town who stated concerns over a firebox being on the pole where the light was shut off and the fact that it was across the street from the parking lot of the church. (It was agreed that Chiefs Nestor and Warchol would look at the area.) It was also noted that any citizen can arrange for private payments of a streetlight.

Page three

CITIZENS FORUM:

Gary Bechtholdt advised committee members that he had sent a letter to the contractor at Pine Knoll Estates regarding complaints of no stop signs and no street signs in this development. They indicated to him that they have installed both signs twice and they have been stolen. They stated that have ordered more signs.

*****

Chief Nestor advised members that he had received a call from the Town Manager this morning stating that complaints have been received about vehicles parking in front of Brian’s Restaurant on the North side of Providence Road.

It was noted that this matter has been discussed in the past and it was determined

that vehicles were not parked on the sidewalk and were not parked in the travel lane of Route 122. There was no problem for oncoming vehicles.

Chief Nestor stated that this was a state road and the town would have to

petition the state for “no parking” signs.

Peter Bedigian felt that if patrons of the restaurant are using the crosswalk and pedestrian light that there was no safety issue. It was recommended to have the owner of Brian’s Restaurant remind customers to use the crosswalk and pedestrian light.

Members will be notified at a later date concerning the next meeting.

Very truly yours,

Gary Nestor, Chairman

Northbridge Safety Committee

/las

cc: Northbridge Town Manager

Northbridge Town Clerk

Lt. Timothy Labrie

Kevin Quinlan, Lane and Hamer

Stephen Tran, North Main Variety

Brian Snay, Brian’s Restaurant