Planning Board mulls Beal Commons parking, traffic studies

Among the suggestions to regulate parking — signage; resident and employee stickers; potential for resident visitor passes; a developer to work with the town on regulating parking spaces.

There was also discussion on how to better coordinate traffic signals to reduce waiting times.

Developer notes discussions with potential cafe

The project would develop 55 one- and two-bedroom units along with commercial space.

Robert Michaud of MDM Transportation Consultants provided some additional peer review comments on the proposal.

He asked the applicant whether any potential tenants for Beal Commons have been identified. Sam Scoppettone, senior associate for Civico

Development, told Michaud and Planning Board Chairman Steven Boulay that “they were not at liberty to say,” but discussions have been held with a “potential café.”

Michaud also brought up the potential for more traffic than the studies suggested. He also said he would like to see more details on traffic-calming components, such as “do not block the box” lines at the intersection of Maple Avenue and Hascall Street.

At least one board member disagreed about whether or not there’s adequate parking.

“Parking is inadequate — wthere needs to be a fix,” said Planning Board member Stephan Rodolakis.

Abutters to the proposed development also expressed concern about the plans and the studies.

Some worried that the anticipated increase in traffic will lead to motorists driving down their streets in trying to bypass