Meeting with the Acting Mayor
Yesterday I had a meeting with the acting mayor Patrick Keefe Jr. We took out the map and discussed the issues, possible solutions, and expectations. It is important that residents be involved with the processes and solutions.
Our concerns were aired on channel 7 news Thursday . You can see the full report and news cast here:
https://whdh.com/news/7-investigates-crosswalk-concerns/
To sign the petition you can go to the petition main page:
The issues on Malden St span the entire street. Focusing on the corner at Vinnys is not enough. If you look at the crash map the news story made the accidents are not at the one corner but up and down the entire street. Engineering controls need to be installed to calm the drivers before they get to the point of an accident. This is better for everyone’s safety.
**Recent Data**: Since January 2022, there have been 23 reported accidents on Malden St. Alarmingly, 11 of these occurred within just 500 ft of Vinny's, marking a critical area that requires our immediate attention.
**Accident Patterns**: These accidents have been occurring consistently at different times and days, making it evident that this is a chronic issue rather than sporadic events.
**Factors Contributing**: The design of Malden St with its slight curves, coupled with the speed/inattention of drivers, have been significant contributors to these accidents. The presence of speed warning signs at high-incident zones indicates the city's awareness. However, merely depending on drivers' discretion for speed control has shown to be ineffective.
**Strategic Recommendations**:
1. **Engineering Controls**: In line with the Hierarchy of Controls, engineering interventions are crucial. We recommend the installation of high-profile speed tables, especially between South St and Conant St, and between Augustus St and Keayne St.
2. **Crosswalk Safety**: The safety of crosswalks, especially near Vinny's market on Malden St and Newhall St, need enhancement, possibly through illuminated signage or lights.
3. **Speed Limit Consistency**: Current inconsistencies in speed limit signage are problematic. We propose a uniform 20 mph speed limit for the entirety of Malden St, considering the two schools and a church in the vicinity.
4. **Lane Adjustments**: The disparity in lane widths, particularly due to parked vehicles on one side, requires an adjustment to the centerline to reduce side-swipe incidents.
5. **Three-way Stop Sign at Vinny's**: Given the repeated accidents near Vinny's, we advocate for the introduction of a three-way stop sign at this location to manage traffic and enhance safety.
For more discussions and to stay updated, join our Facebook group:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/271137358881460
Additionally, we urge the community to extend support to Gina Pennachio, a recent accident victim, by contributing or sharing her GoFundMe page:
https://gofund.me/106ed82f
Your active participation, observations, and suggestions are invaluable. Together, we can make Malden St safer for everyone.