Dear Lincoln Talk Lis should be heard and given great creedence as someone who is knowledgeable and has multiple levels of experience and concern with the road. To me, it sounds like the speed bump would help and that adding flashing lights that can be controlled by pedestrians who cross at the cross walk would also help. Why not do both?
David Giber On Sun, Dec 14, 2025 at 12:26 PM Lis Herbert <[email protected]> wrote: > I am an abutter, and I thank you for your concern, but I am all for it. > Somebody suggested to me a few months ago that I should be concerned about > noise and I'm not. > > A couple of years ago the front wheel of my son's bike, while he was on > it, was hit by a car that he thought had fully stopped, but for whatever > reason slowed and then kept going despite seeing him. > > Our neighbor was actually hit by a car, very, very seriously injured, and > required months of rehab. > > Years ago, when we were expecting a delivery of tiles that required a lift > gate, the truck twice refused to stop in front of our house because, they > said, "it's a 45 mile an hour road and too dangerous", nevermind that is > technically the start of the school zone. > > These are anecdotes, but as an observer of the road, from my house and > from the Old Town Hall, I cannot tell you how many times I have seen cars > and landscaping trucks and their trailers blow down the street at > unconscionable speeds -- two weeks ago a car actually sped to pass another > car that was apparently moving too slowly for their liking. My guess is the > car that was passed was going about 30, and the speeding car was going > about 50 (in the direction of the curve, by the way). When I mentioned this > to two people who live nearby, getting their mail, they both said that > happens all the time, it was just the first time I saw it. > > My next door neighbor can frequently be heard yelling at cars to slow > down, and for good reason. Another neighbor, from what I understand, has > been collecting license plate numbers for the cars speeding at night. > > And finally the plastic standing sign that is now positioned on our wall > for some reason, has been knocked over countless times -- if that alone > isn't an indication that the crosswalk is dangerous I don't know what is. > > In terms of remedies, a police car has frequently been parked in the OTH > parking lot, and many times they pull out almost immediately, because just > about everybody is speeding. I can't imagine this is sustainable or an > actual solution -- it helps, definitely, but this cannot be the answer. > > Cars need to be physically forced to slow down, all the time. And the onus > shouldn't be on pedestrians and cyclists to hope that cars will slow and > come to a stop. > > In terms of traffic monitoring cameras, I brought this up at the forum in > the fall, having seen one mounted in a tree when visiting my mom in rural > CT. They are very effective, both in terms of slowing cars but also > generating significant revenue > <https://www.ctinsider.com/newmilford/article/washington-ct-speed-cameras-data-violations-fines-20770356.php>, > but they are not (now) allowed in MA, and a traffic camera (as evidenced by > the number of people caught speeding when in use) will not protect anybody > in the crosswalk. Other roads that are not frequently crossed but rather > used as speedways for commuters would be great candidates for them. I > cannot remember the details but I think there is hope they will be allowed > in the state later next year. > > I would be happy to discuss the crosswalk with anybody interested. I have > a lot to say about it, and would love to better understand why this is > controversial, all things considered. > > Lis > (28 Lincoln Road) > > > > On Sun, Dec 14, 2025 at 10:17 AM Joanna Schmergel < > [email protected]> wrote: > >> This is a very interesting idea. It would also bring our town >> more revenue from speeding tickets. >> >> I would love to hear the opinions on all of this from our police & fire >> departments. >> >> >> >> On Sun, Dec 14, 2025 at 10:14 AM Nick Gardner <[email protected]> wrote: >> >>> Why not just install automated speed cameras at all major points? Cheap, >>> prevents speeding, works all hours of the day, and frees up police to do >>> other duties. >>> >>> -Nick >>> >>> On Sun, Dec 14, 2025, 09:24 cmontie montie.net <[email protected]> >>> wrote: >>> >>>> Having lived at 29 Lincoln Road (the house in front on the proposed >>>> traffic table near the Old Town Hall), I can say with experience of the >>>> location—with a master bedroom on the front of the house—that I pity the >>>> residents whose homes are nearby. >>>> >>>> All day and all night, they will hear Thunk-Thunk… Thunk-Thunk with >>>> each car that passes by as they hit the traffic table. That would drive me >>>> nuts. Are the neighbors aware of this potential downside? >>>> >>>> As an alternative: How many hours per week do the Lincoln police sit >>>> parked in the Old Town Hall parking lot and enforce the speed limit on >>>> Lincoln Road? I imagine, with some consistent enforcement, that if that >>>> spot developed a reputation as a speed trap, the issue would largely be >>>> resolved. The cost of a moving violation and points against insurance seems >>>> like a good deterrent. Has a concerted effort—with an actual plan—been put >>>> in place to enlist Lincoln’s public safety team to address this issue? And >>>> if yes, I’m curious, what was it and what were the results? >>>> >>>> Best, >>>> Carolyn >>>> >>>> >>>> >>>> > Message: 13 >>>> > Date: Sat, 13 Dec 2025 21:48:21 -0500 >>>> > From: Diana Smith <[email protected]> >>>> > To: ?Sarah Postlethwait <[email protected]> >>>> > Cc: Margaret Olson <[email protected]>, Lincoln Talk >>>> > <[email protected]> >>>> > Subject: Re: [LincolnTalk] Roadway Decisions-Policy Framework. >>>> > Question >>>> > Message-ID: >>>> > <cajiljvqoktko4ojdwu_tu1qb+nwdv42u4gc1cefaoyfihmi...@mail.gmail.com >>>> > >>>> > Content-Type: text/plain; charset="utf-8" >>>> > >>>> > You don't need to be a traffic engineer to figure out that traffic >>>> tables >>>> > are a bad idea. (See Sarah Postlethwaite's letter.). Everyone I have >>>> talked >>>> > to about the issue agrees that Lincoln should not be committing to >>>> traffic >>>> > tables/ speed tables. >>>> > Diana Smith >>>> > >>>> > ?On Sat, Dec 13, 2025 at 9:26?PM ??Sarah Postlethwait?? < >>>> [email protected]> >>>> > wrote:? >>>> > >>>> >> Who is funding the proposed traffic table scheduled for installation >>>> this >>>> >> spring? >>>> >> It is extremely difficult for residents to track decisions being made >>>> >> across multiple boards, each operating on separate 5?10 year planning >>>> >> timelines. I believe many residents will be genuinely surprised when >>>> a >>>> >> traffic table appears, as this is not something the community has >>>> asked for >>>> >> or supported. >>>> >> If residents are consistently requesting sidewalks next to roadways, >>>> why >>>> >> are limited funds- even grant funds- being allocated to traffic >>>> tables and >>>> >> bike lanes instead of addressing those clearly stated priorities? >>>> >> Sarah Postlethwait >>>> >> On Sat, Dec 13, 2025 at 5:21?PM Margaret Olson < >>>> [email protected]> >>>> >> wrote: >>>> >>> The survey was part of a continuous feedback process. We have the >>>> bicycle >>>> >>> and pedestrian master plan, developed over several years with >>>> multiple >>>> >>> neighborhood and public outreach meetings, we present at state of >>>> the town, >>>> >>> and we send out surveys. We obviously can?t update a master plan >>>> very often >>>> >>> but we can ?check in? with the town through these lighter >>>> mechanisms to >>>> >>> make sure there have been no major changes. >>>> >>>> On Sat, Dec 13, 2025 at 4:09?PM Sara Mattes <[email protected]> >>>> wrote: >>>> >>>> The question was not so much about crosswalk design on 117. >>>> >>>> It is impeccable. >>>> >>>> The question raised was the rational for location-the general >>>> policy to >>>> >>>> guide such decisions, and the advisability of using under 100 >>>> citizen >>>> >>>> response to a survey to guide tax investments in public safety and >>>> roadway >>>> >>>> questions. >>>> >>>> On Dec 13, 2025, at 3:04?PM, Margaret Olson < >>>> [email protected]> >>>> >>>> wrote: >>>> >>>> The town?s five year plan is available on the Transportation >>>> >>>> Coalition website: >>>> >>>> https://www.lincolntown.org/1552/Transportation-Coalition >>>> >>>> The town?s engineering consultants designed the crosswalk - all >>>> >>>> infrastructure improvements are professionally designed. Site lines >>>> >>>> determined the exact location of the new crosswalk as they do all >>>> >>>> crosswalks. >>>> >>>> Margaret >>>> >>>>> On Sat, Dec 13, 2025 at 2:51?PM Sara Mattes <[email protected]> >>>> wrote: >>>> >>>>> Past road projects were informed by professional guidance, >>>> standards >>>> >>>>> and research. >>>> >>>>> I am surprised to find that a survey response by under 100 >>>> residents >>>> >>>>> seems to now guide decisions. >>>> >>>>> The 117/Old Sudbury Rd. crosswalk is beautifully executed. >>>> >>>>> However, it leads to a narrow, busy road (Old Sudbury Rd.) with no >>>> >>>>> shoulder, no path, no sidewalk.. >>>> >>>>> When the Roadway and Traffic Committee (the RTC) was formed, clear >>>> >>>>> guidelines and standards were established for all such decisions. >>>> >>>>> Crosswalk locations were determined to be safest and most >>>> appropriate >>>> >>>>> where site lines were clear and the crosswalk connect paths >>>> and/or trials. >>>> >>>>> It would be instructive to have the Transportation Coalition >>>> share the >>>> >>>>> rational developed through guidance documents and professional >>>> reports that >>>> >>>>> direct the expenditure of tax dollars on these projects. >>>> >>>>> On Dec 13, 2025, at 2:18?PM, ?Sarah Postlethwait < >>>> [email protected]> >>>> >>>>> wrote: >>>> >>>>> ?The crosswalk by town hall has new, hopefully more visible >>>> signs. It >>>> >>>>> will be upgraded to a speed table in the spring, once the water >>>> main >>>> >>>>> patches have settled. The speed table will give drivers, >>>> pedestrians, and >>>> >>>>> Public Safety experience with this new traffic calming measure. >>>> We will >>>> >>>>> then consider whether speed tables are well suited to other >>>> crosswalks in >>>> >>>>> town.? >>>> >>>>> I am genuinely struggling to understand why a traffic table is >>>> being >>>> >>>>> presented as the preferred solution for Lincoln Road, >>>> particularly given >>>> >>>>> its well-documented drawbacks and the availability of safer, more >>>> effective >>>> >>>>> alternatives. >>>> >>>>> Traffic tables carry significant and foreseeable downsides. They >>>> can >>>> >>>>> delay emergency response vehicles, create safety hazards for >>>> motorcyclists >>>> >>>>> due to abrupt elevation changes, and cause damage to vehicle >>>> suspensions, >>>> >>>>> undercarriages, and front splitters?especially once the Table has >>>> a few >>>> >>>>> seasons of New England weather has left it in less than optimal >>>> condition. >>>> >>>>> Is the Town prepared to accept liability for vehicle damage >>>> caused by this >>>> >>>>> installation? If not, why is a measure with such predictable >>>> consequences >>>> >>>>> being advanced? >>>> >>>>> Moreover, a single traffic table does nothing to meaningfully >>>> reduce >>>> >>>>> overall vehicle speeds along Lincoln Road. At best, it creates a >>>> brief >>>> >>>>> bottleneck where drivers slow momentarily, only to accelerate >>>> immediately >>>> >>>>> afterward. This does not address speeding behavior along the rest >>>> of the >>>> >>>>> roadway and offers no comprehensive traffic-calming benefit. >>>> >>>>> It is also worth noting that traffic tables are not safely >>>> traversed at >>>> >>>>> 20-30mph. In practical use, drivers must slow to approximately >>>> 15?20 mph to >>>> >>>>> avoid vehicle damage. This creates an inconsistent and potentially >>>> >>>>> hazardous driving environment, particularly for unfamiliar >>>> drivers, >>>> >>>>> cyclists, and emergency vehicles. >>>> >>>>> Compounding this concern are ongoing discussions about asking >>>> residents >>>> >>>>> to contribute financially to repaving Lincoln Road- work that >>>> will likely >>>> >>>>> be necessary sooner rather than later due to the extremely poor >>>> patching >>>> >>>>> performed after the water main replacement. If repaving is >>>> imminent, would >>>> >>>>> the newly installed traffic table need to be removed and rebuilt? >>>> If so, >>>> >>>>> how is this an efficient or fiscally responsible use of public or >>>> resident >>>> >>>>> funds? >>>> >>>>> There are proven, safer alternatives that address pedestrian >>>> safety >>>> >>>>> without introducing these risks. For example, >>>> pedestrian-activated crossing >>>> >>>>> signals, such as the flashing system used at Walden Pond, have >>>> been shown >>>> >>>>> to improve driver compliance and pedestrian visibility while >>>> preserving >>>> >>>>> road continuity. Why was this option dismissed by the >>>> Transportation >>>> >>>>> Coalition, and on what evidence was that decision based? >>>> >>>>> Finally, it remains unclear who would be responsible for the >>>> >>>>> installation, maintenance, and long-term upkeep of the proposed >>>> traffic >>>> >>>>> table. What are the projected costs, and how will they be funded? >>>> >>>>> Given these unresolved concerns, it is difficult to justify a >>>> traffic >>>> >>>>> table as the best, or even a prudent solution for Lincoln Road. >>>> >>>>> Sarah Postlethwait >>>> >>>>> On Sat, Dec 13, 2025 at 1:44?PM Margaret Olson < >>>> >>>>> [email protected]> wrote: >>>> >>>>>> Everyone, >>>> >>>>>> We wanted to share with you the results of the Transportation >>>> >>>>>> Coalition survey and give you an update on recently completed >>>> and upcoming >>>> >>>>>> projects. >>>> >>>>>> The Survey: >>>> >>>>>> The survey opened on August 26th and closed on October 13th. 312 >>>> of >>>> >>>>>> you responded to our outreach: postal mailing, flyers, and >>>> emails. To all >>>> >>>>>> who responded: Thank you! The feedback we received will help >>>> guide our >>>> >>>>>> long-term planning. The Transportation Coalition will continue >>>> to partner >>>> >>>>>> with the Town's Public Safety Department and DPW on road safety >>>> and >>>> >>>>>> maintenance, and to fund as much as possible with a combination >>>> of state >>>> >>>>>> Chapter 90 money and grants. >>>> >>>>>> Resident?s top-rated priorities were additional roadside >>>> >>>>>> paths/sidewalks (82 votes), road maintenance (77 votes), and >>>> speed/traffic >>>> >>>>>> control (61 votes). Answers to the question "if you could pick >>>> one project >>>> >>>>>> to improve pedestrian or cyclist safety in your neighborhood, >>>> what would it >>>> >>>>>> be?" reflected these priorities: sidewalks and speed. The >>>> intersection of >>>> >>>>>> 117 and Tower Road and additional bike lanes were the largest >>>> group of >>>> >>>>>> specific responses. >>>> >>>>>> When it comes to taxes to support improvements, 146 of you are >>>> >>>>>> opposed, 129 are in favor, and 27 responded with "maybe". >>>> >>>>>> Projects: >>>> >>>>>> The crosswalk at Old Sudbury Road and Route 117 is now complete! >>>> It >>>> >>>>>> consists of new pedestrian refuge islands and a pedestrian >>>> activated >>>> >>>>>> warning light. This was funded by a Complete Streets grant. >>>> Attached is a >>>> >>>>>> picture for those of you who do not often drive along 117. >>>> >>>>>> The crosswalk by town hall has new, hopefully more visible >>>> signs. It >>>> >>>>>> will be upgraded to a speed table in the spring, once the water >>>> main >>>> >>>>>> patches have settled. The speed table will give drivers, >>>> pedestrians, and >>>> >>>>>> Public Safety experience with this new traffic calming measure. >>>> We will >>>> >>>>>> then consider whether speed tables are well suited to other >>>> crosswalks in >>>> >>>>>> town. A "speed table" is a traffic calming device consisting of >>>> a long, >>>> >>>>>> flat topped speed hump that allows vehicles to maintain speeds >>>> of around >>>> >>>>>> 20-30 mph while still slowing traffic for safer pedestrian >>>> crossings. >>>> >>>>>> Attached is an image of a speed hump from the Federal Highway >>>> Division. >>>> >>>>>> And, as most of you probably know, the second half of the water >>>> main >>>> >>>>>> project on Lincoln Road will begin in the spring/summer. >>>> >>>>>> The 2A repaving by Mass DOT will not be put out to bid until >>>> 2029. At >>>> >>>>>> least some of the 2A crosswalks and pedestrian protections that >>>> the Town >>>> >>>>>> advocated for remain as part of the plan. >>>> >>>>>> MassDOT has informed us that the Route 126 bridge project will >>>> start >>>> >>>>>> this coming summer and is projected to finish in the summer of >>>> 2031. >>>> >>>>>> Margaret Olson >>>> >>>>>> Chair, Transportation Coalition >>>> >>>>>> -- >>>> >>>>>> The LincolnTalk mailing list. >>>> >>>>>> To post, send mail to [email protected]. >>>> >>>>>> Browse the archives at >>>> >>>>>> https://pairlist9.pair.net/mailman/private/lincoln/. >>>> >>>>>> Change your subscription settings at >>>> >>>>>> https://pairlist9.pair.net/mailman/listinfo/lincoln. >>>> >>>>>> -- >>>> >>>>> The LincolnTalk mailing list. >>>> >>>>> To post, send mail to [email protected]. >>>> >>>>> Browse the archives at >>>> >>>>> https://pairlist9.pair.net/mailman/private/lincoln/. >>>> >>>>> Change your subscription settings at >>>> >>>>> https://pairlist9.pair.net/mailman/listinfo/lincoln. >>>> >>>> -- >>>> >> The LincolnTalk mailing list. >>>> >> To post, send mail to [email protected]. >>>> >> Browse the archives at >>>> https://pairlist9.pair.net/mailman/private/lincoln/ >>>> >> . >>>> >> Change your subscription settings at >>>> >> https://pairlist9.pair.net/mailman/listinfo/lincoln. >>>> > >>>> > -- >>>> > Diana Smith >>>> > PO Box 6294 >>>> > Lincoln MA 01773 >>>> > Cell: 617 803 8022 >>>> > -------------- next part -------------- >>>> > An HTML attachment was scrubbed... >>>> > URL: < >>>> https://pairlist9.pair.net/mailman/private/lincoln/attachments/20251213/4bddf2da/attachment-0001.htm >>>> > >>>> > >>>> > ------------------------- >>>> -- >>>> The LincolnTalk mailing list. >>>> To post, send mail to [email protected]. >>>> Browse the archives at >>>> https://pairlist9.pair.net/mailman/private/lincoln/. >>>> Change your subscription settings at >>>> https://pairlist9.pair.net/mailman/listinfo/lincoln. >>>> >>>> -- >>> The LincolnTalk mailing list. >>> To post, send mail to [email protected]. >>> Browse the archives at >>> https://pairlist9.pair.net/mailman/private/lincoln/. >>> Change your subscription settings at >>> https://pairlist9.pair.net/mailman/listinfo/lincoln. >>> >>> -- >> The LincolnTalk mailing list. >> To post, send mail to [email protected]. >> Browse the archives at >> https://pairlist9.pair.net/mailman/private/lincoln/. >> Change your subscription settings at >> https://pairlist9.pair.net/mailman/listinfo/lincoln. >> >> -- > The LincolnTalk mailing list. > To post, send mail to [email protected]. > Browse the archives at https://pairlist9.pair.net/mailman/private/lincoln/ > . > Change your subscription settings at > https://pairlist9.pair.net/mailman/listinfo/lincoln. > >
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