Traffic Solutions, Inc. made a presentation this week to Selectmen about its findings to date on Western Avenue concerning average speeds, pedestrian and bicycle activity, crashes, etc. They will present recommendations of traffic calming measures in August.
I have a traffic calming idea that I have advocated for several years. I believe that Fessenden Field is the most critical spot on Western Avenue in need of traffic calming because kids cross the street there to access those fields. I suggest that the street be widened about 3 feet on each side (or a total of about 6 feet, not necessarily equal on both sides) and that a 6-foot wide island circumscribed by a 6" sloped granite curb be placed in the middle of the street for the entire distance of Fessenden Field.
This would create a relatively narrow lane in each direction that would slow down the traffic in this area. It would also create a "safety zone" in the middle of the street so that children (and adults) would need to cross only a single lane at a time. A bonus would be that the island could be planted to create an attractive boulevard effect. A complementary idea would be to also install raised crosswalks like the ones recently installed in Holliston center where there is much more traffic than on Western Avenue.
Friday, June 27, 2008
MARS PHOENIX
So, what does Mars Phoenix have to do with Sherborn planning issues? Well, I suppose it has nothing to do with it. However, as a lifelong space aficinado (and who still has not quite given up on the idea of someday going into space), I am a little bit unsettled about a potential moral or philosophical question. Of course, it is my expectation that Mars will eventually become a home to humans. The issue that unsettles me is how would the discovery of life on Mars affect the decision to populate it with humans.
As you may know, preliminary results of soil tests conducted by Mars Phoenix have found soil chemistry that has been described as "similar to what you might find in your back yard" and with the potential for supporting life. I have not yet heard that there has been confirmation of ice just below the surface, but I will assume that that is the case.
If no life is ever found, my assumption is that it would make any decision to establish Martian settlements (I won't call them "colonies") an easy one. With no life to affect, we have free rein to build bases, cities, industry, etc.(and, of course, we will need planners in that effort!), as well as to induce global warming and alter the atmosphere to make it Earth-like and to facilitate significant develpment.
However, suppose life IS found. Even if it is only microscopic life, do we need to respect it? Would that mean that we could not alter the climate if it would have a deleterious impact on native life forms, however primitive? Would we be depriving Martian life the opportunity to spread and evolve as it did on Earth even though that may take a billion years or more? Or would we need to confine our settlements to underground facilities or enclosed facilities that limit Earth-like conditions to the built space only leaving the existing biosphere intact to develop on its own?
As you may know, preliminary results of soil tests conducted by Mars Phoenix have found soil chemistry that has been described as "similar to what you might find in your back yard" and with the potential for supporting life. I have not yet heard that there has been confirmation of ice just below the surface, but I will assume that that is the case.
If no life is ever found, my assumption is that it would make any decision to establish Martian settlements (I won't call them "colonies") an easy one. With no life to affect, we have free rein to build bases, cities, industry, etc.(and, of course, we will need planners in that effort!), as well as to induce global warming and alter the atmosphere to make it Earth-like and to facilitate significant develpment.
However, suppose life IS found. Even if it is only microscopic life, do we need to respect it? Would that mean that we could not alter the climate if it would have a deleterious impact on native life forms, however primitive? Would we be depriving Martian life the opportunity to spread and evolve as it did on Earth even though that may take a billion years or more? Or would we need to confine our settlements to underground facilities or enclosed facilities that limit Earth-like conditions to the built space only leaving the existing biosphere intact to develop on its own?
Monday, June 23, 2008
PRICE WOODLANDS WATER TEST RESULTS
The recently-released results from the analysis of water drawn from the test wells on the Price Woodlands site provide some very good news. While the initial preliminary results indicated high levels of iron and manganese that would have required an expensive treatment system if that water were used as public water supply.
It had been suspected that the high levels in the initial tests were caused by the rust in the steel well casing used for the test. This time the test well was flushed by pumping 6800 gallons of water before the samples were taken. This time the analysis showed that the water quality meets all Massachusetts primary drinking water standards. No volatile organic compounds were detected. Manganese and pH levels were slightly above secondary standards, but these can easily be addressed.
Regardless of whether a public water supply for the Town Center is appropriate or a good idea at this time, these test results are very good news. It is always beneficial to be prepared for the future. Whether a system is pursued now or not, these test results provide evidence that a solution to water quality and/or supply issues is available should it be necessary. It is precisely for this reason that the Planning Board supported the acquisition of Price Woodlands in 1997 with the proviso that it be set aside as a future municipal well site.
The report with the water test results is available on the Planning Board web site.
It had been suspected that the high levels in the initial tests were caused by the rust in the steel well casing used for the test. This time the test well was flushed by pumping 6800 gallons of water before the samples were taken. This time the analysis showed that the water quality meets all Massachusetts primary drinking water standards. No volatile organic compounds were detected. Manganese and pH levels were slightly above secondary standards, but these can easily be addressed.
Regardless of whether a public water supply for the Town Center is appropriate or a good idea at this time, these test results are very good news. It is always beneficial to be prepared for the future. Whether a system is pursued now or not, these test results provide evidence that a solution to water quality and/or supply issues is available should it be necessary. It is precisely for this reason that the Planning Board supported the acquisition of Price Woodlands in 1997 with the proviso that it be set aside as a future municipal well site.
The report with the water test results is available on the Planning Board web site.
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