Village of Colonie Traffic Advisory Committee Meeting October 10, 2019 6:30 p.m. There was a meeting of the Village of Colonie Traffic Advisory Committee, held on October 10, 2019 at the Village Hall, 2 Thunder Road, Albany, NY 12205. The meeting started at 6:30 p.m. Chairman Prevratil called the meeting to order with a salute to the flag. Those Present: Chairman, Mr. Frank Prevratil Mr. George Lashoff Mr. Daniel Hornick Mr. Les Samiof Mr. Dan Judge Mr. John Gillivan (Absent) Secretary, Julianne Okun Colonie PD Officer, Jason DePaulo (Absent) Liaison, Deputy Mayor Edward Sim (Absent) Kevin France, DPW Traffic Advisor Mr. & Mrs. Robert & Theresa Roemer – 14 Bauer Drive Ms. Barbra Zanella – 13 Harriet Street Ms. Mickey Angier – 21 Woollard Avenue The minutes from both the September 12, 2019 meeting were reviewed and approved. The Committee reviewed a letter send to Marcia Neufeld, 75 Locust Park, from Mayor Leak in response to her letter voicing her concerns and frustrations with the speeding on Locust Park. The letter stated the Committee is doing all they can to slow down speeders, including putting out the “Slow Down” speed signs, stenciling the speed limit on the road, putting out the radar trailer, and having a Colonie Police patrol vehicle within the boundaries of the Village. The Committee read the “Drive 25 – SLOW DOWN” Lawn Sign Project Mission Statement as drafted by Mr. France. The document describes the project’s mission, the duties of the administrators of the project, and the criteria for residents who are requesting the signs. Mr. Lashoff made a motion to accept the ‘Drive 25 – SLOW DOWN” Lawn Sign Project Mission Statement as drafted by Mr. France. Mr. Samiof seconded the motion. VOTE: All in favor of the motion. Mr. Judge gave an update on the 2019 campaign season for the “Slow Down” lawn signs. Mr. Judge stated that the Committee has taken the signs down for the winter and agreed now would be a good time as the wind has started to pick up and political signs have started to go out for elections. Mr. Hornick suggested that for next year’s campaign for the start of the school season, the signs can go up on street that have access to the elementary schools, Forest Park and Saddlewood. The Committee reviewed the traffic studies that were distributed at the last meeting. Chairman Prevratil stated to the Committee and the audience the studies show the number of cars, the direction the cars are traveling, the speed at which they travel, and the time of day of travel. Mr. Judge asked the Chairman what is the Committee’s end goal with the collected information. Chairman Prevratil stated that with enough data collected, hopefully it would be evidence enough to present to the Town, the County, and New York State Department of Transportation that changes need to be made and the Village will require the assistance of the previously mentioned entities. 1 Mr. Lashoff stated he would like a traffic study done on the cut through streets off of Sand Creek Road, including Locust Park, Hunting Road, Mordella Road, and Delafield Drive, to see how the new constructions in the Town of Colonie are affecting traffic through the Village community. Mr. France expressed to Mr. Lashoff that the Village may not be equipped to conduct the kind of study Mr. Lashoff has in mind. Mr. France suggested that for a study of this caliber, an outside firm may need to come in and conduct a comprehensive study of the Locust Park/Sand Creek Road Boulevard. Chairman Prevratil encouraged the Committee to research ideas before coming to the meetings so that they may prepare in the winter for action in the spring. Mr. Robert Roamer and his wife Mrs. Theresa Roamer of 14 Bauer Drive came before the Committee to express their concern over the intersection of Holland and Harriet. There have been frequent accidents at that particular intersection, making it a safety hazard to drivers and pedestrians. Mr. Roamer presented to the Committee a PowerPoint presentation of suggestions he thought would help to alleviate the situation. Mr. Roamer asked if the Town coordinates with the Village when it came to Planning approvals and the traffic impact it would have on the Village. Chairman Prevratil stated the Village tries to work with the Town, but there is generally no coordination when it comes to traffic flow. Mr. Roamer suggested a future liaison between the Village and the Town traffic meetings. Mr. Judge made a motion to recommend to the Mayor and the Board that deceleration markers and stripes be put at the Holland stop signs, identical to the ones at the Locust and Hunting intersection, immediately. Mr. Lashoff seconded the motion. VOTE: All in favor of the motion. Ms. Mickey Angier of 21 Woollard Avenue stated to the Committee that since Deputy Mayor Sim spoke to the owner of Colonie Block, there has not been any tractor trailer traffic cutting through the neighborhood. Ms. Barbara Zanella of 13 Harriet Street reiterated the need for some kind of traffic calming at the intersection of Holland and Harriet, but also asked the Committee what they plan to do with the data they have collected from the traffic studies. Chairman Prevratil stated that the information shows what kinds of problems the Village is having and is able to support any recommendations they may make to the Mayor and the Board as well as the Town of Colonie or NYSDOT. Chairman Prevratil stated that in order to obtain the attention of NYSDOT, the Village can urge residents to participate in a write-in campaign encouraging the State to take action. Ms. Angier asked why there has not been a 4-way stop installed at the intersection of Holland and Harriet, with Chairman Prevratil responding that past data did not warrant the installment of a 4-way stop sign. Mr. Lashoff made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 7:40PM. Mr. Samiof seconded the motion. VOTE: All in favor of the motion. Respectfully Submitted, Julianne Okun Traffic Safety Coordinator Village of Colonie 2