The Public Safety & Transportation Committee met on Wednesday, May 20. See the report; video is not yet posted.
Held
- Street sweeping compliance in Nonantum — 7-0. DPW Director of Sustainable Materials Management Waneta Trabert described the current permanent signage and sandwich boards that remind residents of monthly street sweeping on the second Tuesday of each month. Newton Police Captain Dan Devine noted that the Department issued 25 tickets in Nonantum on April 14, mostly for street-sweeping violations, but acknowledged that compliance is “spotty.” Councilors discussed options, including raising parking fines, using patrol-vehicle loudspeakers, citywide alert systems, and seasonal flyers. Chair Lucas noted that a Home Rule petition with the State to raise fines above the current $50 limit is pending and that the Mayor’s office is tracking it. The committee agreed that the Finance Committee’s involvement would be needed to address fine increases and that a particular auto repair business in Nonantum is a disproportionate contributor to the problem.
Present: Councilors Lucas (Chair), Greenberg, Wright, Block, Irish, Roche, and Silber.
Absent: Councilor Golden.
Also present: Councilor Leary.
City staff: Captain Daniel Devine, Newton Police Department; Waneta Trabert, Director of Sustainable Materials Management.