The Chelsea Traffic and Parking Commission voted to install two speed radar signs, direct targeted police enforcement and add temporary stop controls at two Spencer Avenue intersections after residents described repeated speeding and crashes in the neighborhood.

The measures approved Monday follow a public hearing on consultant recommendations for Spencer Avenue and its side streets, including removing parking close to intersections and considering one‑way conversions. Commission staff member Emily (city staff member) said the consultant’s study focused on the narrow curb‑to‑curb width on Vernon and Veil streets and recommended parking removals and a one‑way pilot because the side streets are under the 18 feet considered safe for two‑way traffic.

Resident Bill Vicari, who submitted the original complaint, said his observations and two weeks of radar readings showed many vehicles traveling at speeds he called unsafe on the block between Webster Avenue and Eleanor Street. “The average miles per hour people going down that street was 24 … Out of that, 40% another 10% were over 35,” Vicari said. He told the commission two dogs had been struck and that he had nearly been hit twice.

Commission members and other neighbors told the commission they worry about pedestrian and child safety. “As a pedestrian in the area, I have been very terrified of crossing Spencer Ave,” said Natalie Burgos, a nearby resident. Another resident, Corey Karen (131 Spencer), said she had recorded a car that spun in front of her home.

Commission staff and public‑works representatives recommended a mix of near‑term steps rather than immediately converting streets to one‑way. Jimmy (public works staff) told the commission he could deploy radar signs and arrange targeted enforcement and said the city has two larger trailer‑mounted radar units that collect speed data in addition to smaller solar signs that only display speeds. Emily said the commission would pilot stop‑control changes on Spencer at Villa and pursue a three‑way stop at Spencer and Veil and also remove curbside parking where visibility into intersections was limited.

The commission recorded the motion to install the radar signs, request police enforcement and add temporary stop controls as approved. Commissioners also agreed to keep the one‑way conversion on the table for further study after staff verifies whether the consultant’s counts covered the stretch residents highlighted from Webster to Eleanor. Staff said the consultant counted traffic in May 2024 and compared results to MassDOT data; the study found the intersections did not meet the warrants for signals.

The commission directed staff to coordinate enforcement details with the police department, to place the radar signs at the suggested locations on Spencer and Webster, and to monitor the temporary stop controls for at least several weeks before making a longer‑term change.

Staff emphasized the next steps are implementation and data collection rather than an immediate, permanent layout change. The commission asked staff to return with enforcement data and recorded speeds after the radar signs and targeted enforcement are in place.