Commission defers Beach Street crosswalk move to DPW superintendent’s judgment

The commission reopened an old-business item about moving the Beach Street crosswalk at Maple Avenue after Commissioner Duran asked that it be placed back on the agenda. The relocation had been tentatively approved at a prior meeting contingent on a site inspection by DPW superintendent Jay Duran.

Resident Donald Labbe told the commission he had reviewed sight lines and believed the proposed new crosswalk location would improve visibility. Commissioners said they had previously approved the change pending the superintendent’s review but noted that Duran was not present at the meeting because of an emergency.

Board members debated whether the earlier conditional approval already authorized DPW to proceed. One commissioner summarized the prior motion as directing the superintendent to inspect the site and "move forward with proposed location to the east side," while others emphasized the need to defer to the superintendent’s field judgment. Ultimately the commission voted to allow the DPW superintendent to implement the proposed location using his discretion and to report back at the next meeting.

The commission noted a logistical consequence: the next regular meeting would not occur until September, so if DPW does not act before schools reopen the crosswalk lines will be re-painted in their prior location and the change will occur later unless DPW implements the approved plan sooner. The board said staff would correspond with Jay Duran to ensure the matter is prioritized.

The motion to authorize the superintendent to proceed carried on a voice vote.