VILLAGE OF COLONIE THOMAS TOBIN 2 THUNDER ROAD DEPUTY MAYOR COLONIE, NY 12205 PATTY SCHWARZ LOCKART (518) 869-7562 FAX (518) 464-0389 TRUSTEE EDWARD F. SIM, MAYOR JACK MURPHY TRUSTEE villagehall@colonievillage.org JAMIE BLOT CLERK www.colonievillage.org Traffic Advisory Committee February 13, 2020 6:30 p.m. There was a meeting of the Village of Colonie Traffic Advisory Committee, held on February 13, 2020 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. Roll Call: Chairman, Mr. Frank Prevratil Present Mr. George Lashoff Present Mr. Daniel Hornick Present Mr. Les Samiof Present Mr. Dan Judge Present Mr. John Gillivan Absent Secretary, Julianne Okun Present Colonie PD Officer, Jason DePaulo Absent Liaison, Mayor Edward Sim Present Kevin France, DPW Traffic Advisor Present Mr. Harry Sheets – 8 Willow Avenue The minutes from the January 9, 2020 meeting were reviewed, amended, and approved. Chairman Prevratil asked if any one on the Board had anything to discuss under new business. Chairman Prevratil then opened the meeting to the audience. Mr. Harry Sheets of 8 Willow Avenue stated he lives on a dead-end street with only about 16 houses, yet cars go up and down his street all day long. Mr. Sheets stated that this all began when the ShopRite was built a few years back and the light was installed. Mr. Sheets stated people use the light to make a left down his street, not knowing it is a dead-end street, then speed back down the beat the light. Mr. Sheets stated children live and play on this street and the number of cars that travel up and down it each day makes it very dangerous. Mr. Sheets stated he had spoken to the Superintendent of the Department of Public Works, Mr. Les Decker, a couple of time regarding this issue, and nothing has been done about it. Mayor Sim stated currently there are 3 dead end signs designated for Willow Avenue. Mr. Sheets stated that the red light throws people off, and the visibility of the sign is difficult coming Eastbound. Mayor Sim stated that he though 4 signs would be too many, but perhaps one of the already existing signs could be moved to provide better visibility for oncoming traffic. Mayor Sim 1 stated the DPW will be out to look at the situation. Mr. Sheets stated he was not sure why the light is at Willow Avenue and thought it would be better placed at the next street over. Mr. Sheets stated he hopes something changes, as he has spoken to Mr. Decker twice, he had spoken to the person who walked door-to-door collecting signatures, and he mentioned something to the person who took his water bill at the front counter at Village Hall. Mr. Sheets stated that his very happy living in the Village of Colonie and that the garbage men are great, and the snowplows always do a great job, but this is his one concern. Chairman Prevratil, as well as the Committee, thanked Mr. Sheets for coming to the Traffic Committee and bringing his concern to the table, adding that more residents should come and voice their concerns as well. Mr. Hornick asked to what degree is the Traffic Advisory Committee bound to the Open Meetings Law, in terms of noticing regulations and posting for public notices. Mr. Hornick stated that with more activity on Central Avenue, and the more involved the Traffic Committee would like to be, Mr. Hornick wanted to make sure the Committee is following all the guidelines and regulations for the Open Meetings Law. Ms. Okun stated she would check with Village council and report back to the Committee. Mayor Sim stated he was happy to report to the Committee the Village of Colonie received the State Municipal Aid Grant from Senator Breslin’s office. The Village of Colonie received $10,000.00 and they plan to use that money to buy about 4 electronic, stationary, speed limit signs. Mayor Sim asked the Committee to think about where they thought the signs would be best used, mentioning Lincoln Avenue and Locust Park. Mr. Hornick stated he would like to consider the streets where the elementary schools are, Loralee and Parkwood. Mayor Sim added that 1 sign would only go in one direction, so having them go both directions on Lincoln and Locust, that would be their 4 signs. Mayor Sim stated he hoped to get more in the coming years. Mayor Sim also stated the Village of Colonie secured a grant for a new van for the HBK Senior Center. Mayor Sim stated he is still waiting to hear back the grant from CDTC that would allow the Village of Colonie to conduct an outside traffic study on the Sand Creek and Locust Park corridor. Mr. Judge stated he had a few things he wished to speak about. He stated the Senior Center has a meeting once a month and at the last meeting he gave a speech about getting the word out and talking to your neighbors about slowing down, noting he really wants to get in people’s heads. Mr. Judge also stated he is having a member of AAA come and speak to the seniors about the importance of safe and slow driving at the March 3rd monthly meeting. Mr. Judge stated he wanted to get the seniors more involved in the slow down campaign by getting in their heads with the lawn signs and the call-in list. Mayor Sim asked Mr. Judge how the frames for the slow down signs were holding up. Mr. Judge stated some of them have broken and the Committee could possibly use new ones. Mayor Sim stated Your Village Party will be posting campaign signs for the 2020 election, and once the elections are over the Traffic Committee could use the frames for the “Drive Like Your Kids Live Here” signs. Chairman Prevratil took this time to remind everyone the Village elections are Wednesday, March 18. Mr. Lashoff asked if anyone had heard back from Officer DePaulo about the accidents at the intersection of Red Fox and Barker. Mayor Sim stated there is a zero-accident history at that intersection. Mr. Lashoff stated perhaps the Village can install a warning sign before the intersection. Mr. Judge asked if the Village can paint the street at the Barker stop signs, in the way 2 the intersection at Locust and Hunting is painted. Mayor Sim stated that the Village will be getting quotes for striping around the springtime. Mr. Hornick made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 7:10PM. Mr. Lashoff seconded the motion. VOTE: All in favor of the motion. Respectfully Submitted, Julianne Okun Traffic Safety Coordinator Village of Colonie 3