[{"_1":2,"_123":-5,"_124":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99,111],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6286421,"mediaKeyId","2560162-35434ce62df783ff76034612b670a094","parentId",2560162,"title","Needham staff report more design work and outreach after Highland Avenue workshop; bike lanes remain contentious","audioSeconds",2656,"startMs",278000,"endMs",2934000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2560162-35434ce62df783ff76034612b670a094&start=278&end=2934","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2560162-35434ce62df783ff76034612b670a094/thumbnail_278000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6286421/Town-of-Needham/Norfolk-County/Massachusetts/Needham-staff-report-more-design-work-and-outreach-after-Highland-Avenue-workshop-bike-lanes-remain-contentious","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6286421-1ba822bf10d62fd83b80bb3630710e6c/orig.mp4?Expires=1771191957&Signature=WMLG1Gu-vfc-~xzEPoL17vUi1GvmZ9Rb~eDwQ~03wAZTio-CFPDvcU-dyKwmySvEePIt9SyAhuOh1nedCDjr4oaYD0fIG3k8ZVDssBjn~VdPzatXqD19psjTXCTUqcT974R01LABky5LEiyPdSIBeZ9WlqrRBr3hcwTMy3A0for5a2NJ5rw~61Wh1oy4Z~C9cVat6T-1cxI1bBEZXLJqufQrxt4xuy8Ac-2M0VJrb00~fF7Yof5dokUulazCQz5foQxhK42am2XrX7WQClyzzm8aEQ-RO8oamT2AzhGxkzEES4t5guwrGdLmBjRSlO~MntIFo1nekJioH-0pxXT6hw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Town of Needham, MA","date","2025-03-11T00:00:00Z","article","After a public visioning workshop and a monthlong bicycle-ridership survey, Needham Public Works staff told the Mobility Planning & Coordination Committee on Feb. 10 that consultants will revise Highland Avenue’s 10% design to reflect community input.

Tyler Gabrielski of DPW said the design team had to \"make [the material] accessible for people so that they feel they understand what they're looking at,\" and that the consultants are digitizing workshop feedback and combining it with survey results before issuing a revised design iteration. He said the survey had just closed at the time of the meeting and the analysis was still in progress.

Committee members and staff reported two recurring themes from the public: residents want clearer explanation of project goals, and some voiced opposition to bike lanes framed as a state requirement. Multiple members said the presentation should lead with \"why are we doing this project?\" and that visual renditions (cross‑sections and streetscape renderings) help residents see potential outcomes and reduce speculation about the final look.

Staff described two technical options the design team is exploring where street trees or narrow property setbacks limit space: use on‑road bike treatments in constrained segments, or pursue easements behind the sidewalk to shift facilities off the curbline. The consultant will evaluate those tradeoffs in the next design round.

Committee members also discussed framing. One member summarized the public reaction as a split between residents who view bike lanes as a \"value add\" and those who see lanes as a mandate attached to outside funding. Staff said the latter perception contributed to some resistance and recommended messaging that frames multimodal additions as community benefits while explaining state program requirements.

What’s next: DPW will incorporate survey and workshop feedback into the next design package, add more visualizations for public review and continue follow-up engagement as the project moves beyond the 10% stage.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Town of Needham: Mobility Planning & Coordination Committee 03/10/2025","oneSentenceSummary","DPW staff said consultants will revise Highland Avenue’s early designs after a public visioning workshop and a recently closed bicycle-ridership survey, and emphasized clearer, plain-language materials and visual renderings for future outreach.","taxTitle","Town of Needham, Norfolk County, Massachusetts","taxId",54445,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6286425,"Needham transportation committees schedule joint summit for May 21 to brief public on major projects",1964,198000,2162210,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2560162-35434ce62df783ff76034612b670a094&start=198&end=2162","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2560162-35434ce62df783ff76034612b670a094/thumbnail_198000.jpg","/articles/6286425/Town-of-Needham/Norfolk-County/Massachusetts/Needham-transportation-committees-schedule-joint-summit-for-May-21-to-brief-public-on-major-projects","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6286425-5964a3444b8400e5d2cfaeb7ec1c138d/orig.mp4?Expires=1771191957&Signature=d3YcbbLuICZNZ-wvisOI0zek9tGFJTX~t7-XZHFsKRCFIuuYpbyD3quWnp4UrtDL0VGFBCN8mi0cNy10i1AQu8skjb8-Lzc3ZAu-8GQiEA3h5A-Cq-srSMMcom3h79eK2OIZUJLghVVRbrSpmppjxtwcS7b2B5mgfPWfyaBVBPIQlfNEJ0J70OKzykv~1dpTVJhdyJLEy9V90-xjOAxe9eV~fZMuRmnQwb78HhyQDBlnzs~PZssZld-Y6AxC8fp16-ie1zu4tU0TWDBZNkhGmAswsZfInC-BA~Iu0PiHN6nth3lnPfonO938oQ3ZLtXdnofKIxcBjyZfJDG-XP4oQg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Mobility Planning and Coordination Committee voted early in its Feb. 10 meeting to approve minutes and later set a joint meeting of the town’s three transportation committees for May 21, 2025, with the meeting to be held at the Public Safety Building and broadcast via webinar.

Committee leaders said the session will focus on major, ongoing projects—Highland Avenue, Mark Tree Road and the Great Plain/Central intersection among them—and provide cross-committee updates and public education rather than a line-by-line walk-through of routine maintenance lists.

The meeting’s purpose, as described during the discussion, is to \"align activities, projects, and planning issues to facilitate public awareness of current and planned public works projects.\" Committee members said that makes the meeting a better forum for projects still in design, rather than for routine resurfacing lists that often change with utilities and scheduling. Members repeatedly urged emphasizing projects where there is still time for public input and design changes.

Committee chairs and DPW staff discussed format. They agreed presentations should be concise updates from each committee followed by focused discussion of the large projects that are in design or will affect planning and budgeting. The meeting was described as intended both for committee members to learn about each other’s work and for the public to get a plain-language explanation of what each project is and why it matters.

Officials recommended preparing slides ahead of the May meeting and using existing town outreach channels to advertise. The committee agreed the meeting will count as the regularly scheduled May meeting for the Mobility Planning and Coordination Committee.

Votes at a glance
- Motion: Accept minutes of the Feb. 10, 2025 meeting. Motion and second (names not specified in the record). Roll-call recorded ayes from Tim Bolger (chair), Duncan Allen, Gus Greyson, Steven Frail, James Goldstein and Justin McCullough. Outcome: approved.
- Motion: Adjourn meeting (mover/second not specified in transcript). Roll-call recorded ayes from Justin McCullough, Woosung Kwan, Gus Greyson, Steven Frail, Paul Malta and others present. Outcome: approved; meeting adjourned.

What happens next: staff will circulate slide decks used at the previous fall meeting and ask committee chairs and liaisons to prepare brief, plain-language slides on major projects and priorities for the May summit. The steering discussion left scheduling and outreach tasks with staff so the event can be publicized in time for post–town-meeting attention and possible select-board or budget follow-ups.","The Mobility Planning & Coordination Committee and two partner committees agreed to hold a joint meeting May 21, 2025, at the Public Safety Building with webinar access to share updates on Highland Avenue, Mark Tree Road, the Quiet Zone and other large projects ahead of summer work and capital planning.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6286406,"Needham debates May Street bike-lane options ahead of summer microsurface work; committee to observe school drop-off",1260,4962000,6222000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2560162-35434ce62df783ff76034612b670a094&start=4962&end=6222","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2560162-35434ce62df783ff76034612b670a094/thumbnail_4962000.jpg","/articles/6286406/Town-of-Needham/Norfolk-County/Massachusetts/Needham-debates-May-Street-bike-lane-options-ahead-of-summer-microsurface-work-committee-to-observe-school-drop-off","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6286406-0019db94a1d13ad55ebaef42b2a03752/orig.mp4?Expires=1771191957&Signature=PnLdvDfIqCVX56f1ltctL4OtbtKM3AsxOVNEvN-5YeTdENNkLlqmkk9zgSujZl~8hOR5FbiWmrWjDeak3Bn4lofvLoxjUD3nWwddBfBfekiScgYatbxTU57yHwe2siQJzJrTRjE0NuDLAHy2t2ci6HS5Bu3098YRpDhJbt5XfU64UoZSCBHLvM-SaQVnRM5II6AdYZtxmDA56UaooWaBylwAN6tZFsbrS7E1ZDYzyT27uJIql1YotyU0LNxq-Rn2amt8~O-0zeACDtBzo1tyjfOKjwMEjCsLELdJt2hbRCKVSkgI~YrpqNJ~5tqeVlxJ-2cV51ll7kT93dlzOrqs1A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","DPW told the committee that a planned microsurface treatment of May Street from Highland Avenue to Webster this summer creates an opportunity to alter pavement markings and add bicycle accommodations. The street segment ranges from about 28 to 30 feet in curb-to-curb width in places, and DPW staff laid out several striping options discussed with the committee.

Options discussed included: narrowing travel lanes to 9 or 10 feet with a painted bike lane on one side and sharrows (shared-lane markings) or fog lines on the other; a single, unidirectional painted bike lane plus sharrows; or adding only subtle fog-line buffers where parking and school drop-off activity constrain space. Speakers noted that painted lanes without physical separation leave cyclists vulnerable to dooring and driver encroachment, and some members said 5-foot marked lanes are preferable where parking is prohibited.

Committee members flagged a near-term operational concern: St. Joseph’s school drop-off causes cars to queue near the Highland Avenue intersection. Several members recommended that staff do a morning observation of drop-off patterns before finalizing striping for the school block and to show mockups to St. Joseph’s for reaction and coordination. The committee also asked DPW to prepare 1–2 visual mockups that could be shared with the school and neighborhood for feedback.

Staff cautioned that marking contractors are limited and scheduling is tight in the summer, so decisions and mark‑out instructions should be coordinated early. The committee asked staff to return with mockups and traffic observations, and members suggested signage and shared-roadway markings where full bike lanes are not feasible.

What’s next: DPW will gather drop-off observations, prepare stripe mockups and meet with St. Joseph’s and neighborhood representatives prior to selecting a final striping plan ahead of the microsurface treatment.","DPW plans a microsurface on May Street this summer; committee discussed striping options (sharrows, single-direction bike lane, 9‑foot travel lanes with a painted bike lane and buffers). Members asked DPW to observe school drop‑off activity near St. Joseph’s to assess blocking and to prepare mockups for outreach.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6286411,"Needham narrows Street Design Guide bidders; finance questions force scope trimming",152,3864000,4016000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2560162-35434ce62df783ff76034612b670a094&start=3864&end=4016","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2560162-35434ce62df783ff76034612b670a094/thumbnail_3864000.jpg","/articles/6286411/Town-of-Needham/Norfolk-County/Massachusetts/Needham-narrows-Street-Design-Guide-bidders-finance-questions-force-scope-trimming","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6286411-28f51776bef5e2d2ba59b6e9e5c9204f/orig.mp4?Expires=1771191957&Signature=GG~zEbPlmAs8D8DLNSH8vO9RP8P-iCybt5Xg61WcUcGWw4EEzM8evcPqUedXKLkjtwyT3VvTdkNUakYLqtgDq5dxvCsVAvtEClxf6MD1ajqZIGwd4oc0TC3BHqkeZ7g8Wl0w1vJDssWu3FY~7X67msqhzKYT~TNHDuSfR8Rxv4SFaj2tSgfdU1PFF0MFAL14E6zgiCIyl9TjkqpKi2x~Khnp5UN~Q1Orb2-fSyp1k6cMjsohlBa~Dr8Hm6iOp1IPwKCXKmJRiPSO~VBMG5y5DMrjOD~-lcX95aw5~bTeWqPLlZtQJA0cVsDVsxWjImAsS60nTRHkic-7Vpl2vuylkw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The committee reviewed responses to a request-for-proposals for a townwide Street Design Guide. Two firms submitted: GPI (currently working on some Needham projects) and Tool (a landscape/streetscape design firm involved with the Envision Needham Center work). The selection panel favored Tool for its experience but noted Tool’s first price proposal exceeded the budget the town had allocated for the work.

Committee members said the initial DPW budget was roughly $126,000 (compilation of scope and available funds). Tool’s original proposal arrived significantly higher—approximately $178,000—so DPW asked Tool to identify parts of the scope that could be trimmed. Staff reported they reduced iterations and consultant-led stakeholder outreach tasks and will send a revised proposal to the finance director for review.

The finance director raised concerns about using Chapter 90 funds for the guide and whether the select board or finance committee might push back. Staff said some outreach elements could use existing town channels to reduce consultant time and cost. The guide’s core deliverables—roadway classification, map graphics and guidance for context-sensitive treatments—remain in the scope; DPW emphasized the interactive map and GIS graphics would be valuable deliverables and preferred to retain them if possible.

Next steps: Tool will submit a trimmed scope and revised price; the finance director will determine if the award can proceed or whether the town should rebid. Committee members asked staff to prioritize deliverables that create a consistent, townwide framework and to limit consultant-driven outreach if the town can leverage in-house channels.","Staff said two consultants responded to the street design guide RFP. The committee favored Tool (landscape/streetscape firm) but Tool's proposal exceeded the DPW's budget; staff asked Tool to reduce scope and resubmit. Finance asked about using Chapter 90 funds for the guide, and a revised, trimmed proposal will be evaluated before award.",{"_33":112,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":113,"_41":114,"_43":115,"_45":116,"_47":117,"_49":118,"_51":119,"_53":120,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":121,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":122,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6286416,"Mark Tree Road design survey shows majority support for single‑side sidewalk; residents call for traffic calming",608,4144000,4752000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2560162-35434ce62df783ff76034612b670a094&start=4144&end=4752","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2560162-35434ce62df783ff76034612b670a094/thumbnail_4144000.jpg","/articles/6286416/Town-of-Needham/Norfolk-County/Massachusetts/Mark-Tree-Road-design-survey-shows-majority-support-for-singleside-sidewalk-residents-call-for-traffic-calming","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6286416-8f3fa2070f8fe7a8b5b61d6910687683/orig.mp4?Expires=1771191957&Signature=BH7sz1YAR1ef~W2LEMaArdYNuzN9afMqyrp3Z-~D9HyxTtx0a4rKV8sM~1IqHyDguDRB8IFSrXxMX7wKy7gJtYtPWu8g-tpcCqhTrGaFwc1uX5HO-yXeaDZWxUbTu62Uij9kXCX4-ykjOfOiCWAvlLU~GclL4L3W5sFVTXOA0OaSKvmzp-gF48ILEopTRAKyrSg5Fk0tQFLxvjolTbLHZ5Dwi8MYVY6oCN~O2O-lopUkMaAXbJ3r5B~577Xsf1wMYsClt1XaUFcwZOYt6xqVrezsyIqFsVjz9ZKdIBm6x-40y~fZfq4sEkHqCNqnquFSi-EExHDrbOT1xu1UtE~-pw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","DPW staff told the Mobility Planning & Coordination Committee that a stakeholder-focused survey for the Mark Tree Road project produced feedback emphasizing pedestrian safety and traffic calming, and that a majority of respondents supported installing a single sidewalk on the south side of the road.

According to the survey results presented to the committee, 64% of respondents preferred one sidewalk (the south side) rather than sidewalks on both sides. Staff said a majority of respondents also lived on the north side of the road—where elevation and ledge make construction more complex—and that dual-side sidewalk construction would require more tree removals and more invasive construction (potentially blasting) than a single-side approach.

The top concerns cited by respondents were pedestrian access and safety, traffic calming measures, and tree preservation. Speeding and poor visibility on curves were commonly raised; staff reported previous spot speed counts that did not show a significant speed exceedance but noted that residents’ perception of speeding was strong. Truck traffic was noted as a local concern; staff said measured truck percentages were below common thresholds (about 4.7% in the study period) that would trigger automatic changes.

DPW said design revisions will aim to create more uniform geometry, add traffic-calming features where appropriate and colocate pedestrian crossings with calming measures. The design team will meet this week to translate survey comments into specific design elements and identify potential locations for raised intersections, crosswalks and other calming features.

What’s next: staff will meet with the designer to incorporate the survey priorities and schedule a public engagement step to show revised designs. Committee members asked staff to reach out to residents who identified themselves on the survey for follow-up input.","A DPW survey for Mark Tree Road found 64% of respondents favored a single sidewalk on the south side rather than sidewalks on both sides of the road. Residents identified speeding, visibility on curves and tree preservation as priorities; DPW said constructing sidewalks on both sides would require significant tree removals and possibly blasting.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Needham staff report more design work and outreach after Highland Avenue workshop; bike lanes remain contentious

Needham transportation committees schedule joint summit for May 21 to brief public on major projects

Needham debates May Street bike-lane options ahead of summer microsurface work; committee to observe school drop-off

Needham narrows Street Design Guide bidders; finance questions force scope trimming

Mark Tree Road design survey shows majority support for single‑side sidewalk; residents call for traffic calming