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 July 9, 2020 6:30 p.m. There was a meeting of the Village of Colonie Traffic Advisory Committee, held on July 9, 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 Present Secretary, Julianne Okun Present Colonie PD Officer, Jason DePaulo Absent Liaison, Mayor Edward Sim Absent Kevin France, DPW Traffic Advisor Present Mr. Jeff Allen – 8 Sebring Avenue Ms. Jenn Miller – 7 Bauer Drive Ms. Judy Ogborn – 8 Bauer Drive Mr. Paul Boyle – 27 Hunting Road The minutes from the February 13, 2020 meeting were reviewed, amended, and approved. Ms. Okun stated there had been communication with residents from Sebring Avenue, Bauer Drive, as well as Lincoln Avenue. All communication regarding speeding, with Ms. Okun stating she invited the concerned residents to attend tonight’s meeting. Ms. Jeff Allen of 8 Sebring Avenue stated there is a lot of speeders through his street, consistently going both ways. Mr. Allen stated that along with his kids, there are several children in the area and there have been several close calls. Mr. Allen requested speed bumps be put in on Sebring Avenue to try and slow cars down. Chairman Prevratil stated that before speedbumps could be installed, there needs to be a traffic study conducted and the counters need to be put out to determine if speed bumps are warranted. Mr. Hornick asked Mr. Allen if he is noticing the same cars speeding day to day, with Mr. Allen stating yes. Mr. Hornick encouraged Mr. Allen to note the license plates 1 and report them to the Colonie Police Department. Mr. Hornick stated that this is where the Committee urges residents to begin if they wish to crack down on speeding, because the Committee finds, that more often times than not, the speeders are also residents of that neighborhood. If license plates are reported, Officer DePaulo will be able to issue the speeders a warning. Mr. Hornick stated that if Mr. Allen does not feel comfortable reporting that information to Police Department, he can forward it onto Village Hall, where Ms. Okun can contact Officer DePaulo. Mr. Judge explained to Mr. Allen the process to get speed bumps is very “grass roots.” Mr. Judge explained neighbors would have to get involved and be canvassed, creating a petition, and obtaining signatures, where 60% of the street would have to agree to them. Mr. Judge encouraged Mr. Allen to rally his neighbors to call in “Drive Like Your Kids Live Here” signs for Sebring Avenue. Because of the ongoing pandemic, the Traffic Committee will not be canvassing new streets this year, so the best way to obtain a sign is to call in. Mr. Judge also suggested the “Your Speed Is” trailer for Sebring Avenue – making people more aware of their speed is sometimes effective in slowing them down. Chairman Prevratil stated that before the pandemic occurred there was some grant money that was supposed to be allocated for the Village of Colonie that could be possibly used for permanent “Your Speed Is” pole signs. Unfortunately, Chairman Prevratil stated that Mayor Sim noted that all grant money has been frozen during the ongoing health crisis. Ms. Jenn Miller of 7 Bauer Drive stated she had previously spoken to Mr. Judge and her neighbors speeding. Stating that the road has become almost a “drag strip” for cars to race down, Ms. Miller noted the police have come to drive by. Ms. Miller asked the Committee to put her street on the list for the “Dive Like Your Kids Live Here” signs. Mr. Judge stated, as he did to Mr. Allen, that because of the pandemic, the Committee will not be canvassing new streets this year but encouraged Ms. Miller to contact her neighbors and have them call in and request a sign. Ms. Ogborn of 8 Bauer Drive stated that she had previously spoken to Frank and Officer DePaulo and a big concern is the speeders aren’t actually their neighbors, but friends and guests of their neighbors, especially with the parks and little league opening back up. Chairman Prevratil stated that consistency, the “Drive Like Your Kids Live Here” signs and talking and communicating with neighbors are effective means in getting drivers to slow down. Mr. Paul Boyle of 27 Hunting Road stated he moved into the neighborhood in 2011 and has since had 2 daughters who are special needs. Mr. Boyle stated he is afraid to let his daughters play in the front yard because of the number of cars both speeding through the neighborhood and using Hunting Road as a cut through to get to Sand Creek Road. Chairman Prevratil stated to Mr. Boyle that the Traffic Committee has been focusing on Hunting Road in more recent years noting the addition of the yellow double solid line, the 4 way stop signs at Hunting, Locust, & Bridle, as well as taking counters on Hunting Road. Mr. Boyle asked about speed humps, with Chairman Prevratil stating that speed humps and bumps are a liability when they are around inclines. Mr. France stated that what the Committee could investigate would be to enlarge the speed limit signs and add illumination. Studies have shown larger signs help decrease speeding. Mr. Gillivan stated there should be a sidewalk or a bike lane on Hunting, noting there are no fog lines on Hunting Road. Mr. Gillivan later corrected himself, noting there are white lines on either side of Hunting Road. Mr. Lashoff brought to the meeting pictures of potential crosswalks from Sand Creek to Bauer Park. Mr. Gillivan noted there is currently no crosswalks on Sand Creek Road, bur did note that there is a light where the ex-Mayor used to live, and there should be a crosswalk at the light at Sunset. Mr. Gillivan also noted that there should also be a light and a crosswalk at Hunting and Sand Creek. Mr. 2 Hornick agreed with Mr. Gillivan, however, was concerned with the legality of such lights and sidewalks. Mr. Lashoff made a motion to propose the Committee ask an attorney look into the laws and rules for crosswalks and sidewalks for Delafield to Bauer Park, as well as flashing signs. Mr. Gillivan seconded the motion. VOTE: All in favor. Chairman Prevratil asked Ms. Okun if she could approach the DPW about the broken board on the Bauer Park trail. Mr. Judge stated that perhaps the Village could approach local businesses for funding or donations for Village projects. Mr. Judge updated the Committee on the lawn sign schedule. Mr. Gillivan asked if anyone knew what streets were scheduled to be paved this year, with no one having that information. Mr. Lashoff made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 8:05PM. Mr. Gillivan seconded the motion. Vote: All in favor. Respectfully Submitted, Julianne Okun Traffic Safety Coordinator 3