Public Hearing on Traffic Calming and Pedestrian Safety April 3 at 6 p.m.

Members of the public are invited to attend and speak at a Public Hearing on traffic safety, traffic calming, and the Traffic Calming Petition submitted by the Somerville Pedestrian and Transit Advocacy Group and signed by approximately 350 people. The hearing will take place on Wednesday, April 3, at 6 p.m. in the Council Chambers at City Hall.

The Traffic and Parking Committee of the Whole will hear testimony on the general topic of traffic calming, including pedestrian and bicyclist safety, driver safety, and other related issues. Testimony will inform both ongoing Council deliberations and City efforts around improving the safety of Somerville streets for all users including the development of the City’s Vision Zero action plan and decisions around the allocation of funding for traffic calming efforts. Written testimony will also be accepted, please see below.

The hearing is in response to a resident petition on traffic safety organized after the recent fatal hit-and-run on Powder House Boulevard that resulted in the tragic death of a Somerville resident and the injury of another. The petition makes many recommendations for traffic calming programs and action by the City, and was signed by residents, as well as by visitors and others who use Somerville streets. It can be viewed at http://ow.ly/MwUE30o9JOv.

Committee Chair and Ward 5 City Councilor Mark Niedergang expects that the Council may deliberate on priorities, programs and resources for City traffic calming programs going forward at the end of the hearing if time allows.

Written Testimony: Public testimony at public hearings is generally limited to two minutes per person, but may be extended at the discretion of the Chair.  Written testimony for the public record may be submitted to citycouncil@somervillema.gov  and cityclerk@somervillema.gov through Friday, April 12, but Councilors will often read emails received after the official close of the public record.

Individuals with disabilities who need auxiliary aids and services for effective communication, written materials in alternative formats, or reasonable modifications in policies and procedures, in order to access the programs and activities of the City of Somerville or to attend meetings, should contact Nency Salamoun, at 617-625-6600 x2323 or NSalamoun@somervillema.gov.