Public Safety And Transportation Committee - November 4, 2026

The Public Safety and Transportation Committee of NewTV Government met on November 4, 2026. It heard appeals of Traffic Council decision TC 38-25 concerning the removal of four parking spaces on Florence Street near the Sunrise Senior Living construction site. Residents raised concerns about speeding and pedestrian safety; Sunrise’s representatives said the spaces create sight-distance and construction-safety issues. They reported that MassDOT had approved a Route 9/Florence Street intersection redesign intended to slow turning traffic, to be implemented before the site is occupied. Members discussed temporary construction barriers and whether parking should return after construction. A motion to approve the appeal and retain the spaces, subject to further steps regarding barriers, was discussed, but the committee ultimately voted to hold the item for later consideration. The transcript refers to approximately $300,000 associated with the special-permit approval, but does not establish a new allocation or spending decision.

The committee also questioned the police chief about staffing, calls for service, traffic enforcement, crash data, and crime statistics. The chief reported that the department had hired 10 officers and lost eight, and that staffing levels and associated costs would be discussed in a future update. Members expressed interest in more detailed, timely crash and police data; the chief noted that the department’s records-management system is antiquated, but no system purchase or procurement action was proposed. No contract award, bid approval, or other procurement decision was identified.