City Council Hears Proposal to Create Local Traffic Department

FRAMINGHAM - The Framingham City Council met on Tuesday, May 6, to hear the first proposal for the creation of a municipal traffic department.

The Framingham Traffic Commission advocated for the department’s creation back in April, as the group had been tasked with recommending the internal organization of the Department of Public Works (DPW) in accordance with the city’s charter.

The Framingham Traffic Department’s role, per the initial pitch, would incorporate the local Lighting and Signals Division. The body would work on matters such as traffic maintenance and engineering while also spearheading transportation initiatives.

“Some of the expected benefits would be to enhance coordination among city departments by being the city’s lead agency on transportation issues, to provide residents and businesses a single point of contact to direct their concerns, and to provide clear leadership in traffic and transportation matters,” Acting Director of Transportation Engineering for Framingham Matthew Hayes said during Tuesday’s City Council meeting at the Memorial Building.

Through this proposal, the traffic department would fall under the DPW’s purview. The department would feature a director, who would report to the DPW director. The Framingham Police Department would still be responsible for the enforcement of traffic rules.

The reaction to the starting proposal from local officials on Tuesday was mixed. At-Large City Councilor George King said the plan’s development was done in the “wrong direction,” adding his belief that the traffic department should be independent from the DPW. King wants local traffic leaders to look further into the proposal’s structure, as he suggested that traffic enforcement regulations should fall within the traffic department’s duties.

“I do not support this; I don’t see where it gets us,” King continued.

“I don’t see anything different. It’s essentially your current, existing department of traffic signals with one or two positions moved into it. What else does it do for us?”

Officials such as Mayor Charlie Sisitsky and District 9 City Council member Tracey Bryant supported the plan as presented. Sisitsky said that any public feedback related to traffic could be channeled through the Traffic Commission within the department, as he contended that the alternative of creating an independent department could result in increased work and costs for traffic operations.

“I think this is a very efficient and fiscally responsible way to create a traffic department, and that’s what we need,” Sisitsky said.

Most members of the City Council on Tuesday commended the work put into the proposal, but did not support it as written.

The City Council’s public hearing on the traffic department idea is scheduled to begin on Tuesday, June 3.