Category: All About Newton

Last year, after the completion of the installation of a cement sidewalk, on Commonwealth, I gave notice, including pictures, to the City of the dangerous condition that exists for anyone using it. As one proceeds west, the sidewalk places them into Fuller Street, before the stop line. Additionally, the large hedge, over growth and fence make it impossible for a pedestrian to be able to see that to their left is a street (Fuller) and that at the end of the side walk they will be passing into the path of traffic.

Last year, the City had the hedge trimmed and placed street cones on Fuller Street that push the traffic to the left which allows protection to a person crossing.   The cones were removed in the winter and never replaced this spring. It would be prudent that the curbing at the end of Fuller Street be permanently extended in order that pedestrians and vehicles can see each other.

There is no crosswalk at that intersection or warning signage to vehicles and pedestrians. This is an issue as the other day while I was stopped at Day Street and Commonwealth Avenue, a young child, about 10, was riding his bicycle West on the sidewalk and went straight across Fuller Street. He would have certainly been hit if a car had come down Fuller Street. School is about to recommence.

This is my second written notice to the City and I assure that I shall step forward if a tragedy occurs.

“Concerned Citizen”

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Dear Mayor Warren:

I have yet to receive a response and no corrective measures have been taken regarding notices sent to City on August 11^th and 16^th.  The notices were made through the City’s 311 website. The pictures below fairly represent the location, described in the following letter, at 6 PM, August 19^th.  This email, as well past my two previous reports is also  being sent to our Day Street area Neighborhood Google Group.

Respectfully,

“Concerned Citizen”

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Dear “Concerned Citizen”,

The Transportation Division will be looking at this and installing the stop sign within the next few days.  They will also be adding pedestrian crossing signs to alert oncoming traffic to the pedestrian crossing and striping the crosswalk.  Parks and Recreation will be removing the bush in order to provide site clearance as well.  Our Transportation Director Bill Paille will also be looking at the feasibility on of installing a curb extension at this location.  We believe these measure should improve the safety and provide additional advanced warning tom oncoming vehicles.  Thanks you for bringing this to our attention.

Respectfully,

Shane L. Mark M.S.

Director of Operations

Department of Public Works

City of Newton

1000 Commonwealth Ave.

Newton Centre, MA 02459

Office: 617-796-1494

Cell: 617-992-1553

smark@newtonma.gov

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“Concerned Citizen”, sorry for the delay. We will look into lack of response to serious issue. I have looped in the head of DPW Shane Mark so he can follow up directly .

 

SETTI WARREN

 

Sent from my Verizon Wireless 4G LTE smartphone

 

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