Residents press for speed humps; commission tables some requests as fire department review continues

Residents and councilors urged the Traffic and Parking Commission to install speed-hump measures on several Chelsea streets after describing persistent speeding near homes and school bus stops. The commission denied one request and tabled others while it continues dialogue with the fire department about equipment impacts and response times.

Tom Podolsky, a Pine Street resident, asked the commission for relief from drivers who speed down Pine when nearby streets back up. Staff said the fire department has placed a temporary hold on installing new raised roadway features because they can "adversely impact the fire apparatus and response times." Commissioners tabled the Pine Street request to the October meeting so fire department input can be obtained.

A separate request for a speed hump in front of 100 Stockton (Creekside Commons) was denied on engineering and safety grounds: staff noted the city line and private-property transitions there and said a bump at that exact location could create a hazard. The commission recorded the denial but said speeding remains a planning concern for traffic-calming work.

Councilor Giovanni Recupero pressed again for a hump near 140 Essex Street, citing children and a school bus stop. Commissioners agreed the location raises safety concerns and tabled the item to invite the fire department and to explore alternatives; staff noted newer design options such as narrower, removable speed tables calibrated so fire trucks can straddle them while passenger vehicles would be slowed.

Commissioners instructed staff to continue working with the fire department and public-safety and engineering staff and to return with options that balance pedestrian safety with emergency-response needs.