Residents and councilors presented petitions asking for speed humps on Pine Street and Essex Street during the Traffic and Parking Commission’s October meeting. The commission did not adopt either request at the meeting and asked staff to gather more data and consult with public‑safety and traffic engineering partners.

Who spoke
Councilor Brown spoke on behalf of Linda Dube, who had requested speed humps on Pine Street; Brown described the block as small with several children and noted the petitioner’s visual impairment. Resident supporters emphasized pedestrian safety and the relatively small scale of the street. Councillor Giovanni Recupera returned to press for a speed hump on Essex Street, citing repeated requests from constituents.

Why commissioners tabled both requests
Fire department representatives said speed humps can slow response times and damage heavy apparatus; they noted some narrower or bolt‑down devices exist that are intended to avoid axle contact with larger emergency vehicles. Commissioners said Pine Street appears small and may be an appropriate pilot location, but they asked for speed counts and a coordinated plan so the city would not “just slap a speed bump down.” Staff said Liberty maintenance and construction activity had intermittently closed Williams/Pine access, complicating immediate speed measurements.

On Essex Street the commission and staff discussed alternatives to standard humps — such as narrower bolt‑down devices that fall between fire‑truck wheels — and the need for a broader traffic‑flow study of neighborhood one‑way streets. Commissioners and staff agreed to consult the fire department and traffic‑calming engineers before deciding whether a device could be piloted in a way that reduces resident speeds without impairing emergency response.

Commission direction
- Pine Street: commission voted to table the request to the November meeting so staff can return with speed data and a proposed plan that includes consultation with DPW, the fire department and traffic calming engineers.
- Essex Street: commission voted to table to the December meeting to allow consultation with the fire department about narrower/alternative traffic calming devices and to consider a block‑length or corridor approach if needed.

Ending
Commissioners emphasized they are not opposed in principle to neighborhood traffic calming, but want engineering data and cross‑departmental review before installing devices that may affect emergency access.