Yes- more speed bumps. Preferably like the cratered ones of a reverse radius nature within the K – 8 School Loop.
R On Sun, Dec 14, 2025 at 12:55 PM David G <[email protected]> wrote: > 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. >> >> -- > 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. > > -- Rick
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