The City Council on Thursday approved installing a temporary all-way stop at the intersection of Hatfield Street and Cooke Avenue. That order, which was unanimously recommended by the Transportation and Parking Commission on June 18, was introduced to the City Council on July 11 and there were no objections.

Department of Public Works Director Donna LaScaleia, who chairs the commission, recommended that the four-way stop be installed for a trial period of 120 days beginning in September to observe the resulting traffic queues and other impacts, including on emergency vehicles that use Hatfield Street.

In my remarks on July 11 supporting the proposal, I cited the long-standing concerns about the dangers of the intersection expressed by residents who live nearby, as well as the heavy traffic volume and motorists on Hatfield Street who exceed the posted speed limit of 30 mph. I also supported the trial period to determine if there are any unintended consequences, such as traffic backups in the neighborhood.

There are now stop signs on the north and south sides of Cooke Avenue at the intersection. Stop signs would be installed in both directions on Hatfield Street after a safety study was conducted last fall by the city’s consultant, Fuss & O’Neill of Springfield. It recommended that the intersection be converted to an all-way stop based on the heavy traffic volume on Hatfield Street and sight distances below the minimum state standard for southbound motorists on Cooke Avenue making left or right turns onto Hatfield Street.

In addition, the Police Department reported 14 accidents during a recent five-year period at the intersection.

A further update on traffic calming requests previously submitted for Hatfield Street at Cooke Avenue is on the agenda of the Transportation and Parking Commission when it meets virtually at 4 p.m., Tuesday, Aug. 20.

Here is the Zoom link to join that meeting (passcode 371102): https://us06web.zoom.us/j/84695596902?pwd=TbjaogQEbn6MB3ZYH2OZ7sZ4isxwjq.1

Massachusetts primary election

Saturday, Aug. 24, is the deadline to register to vote or change party enrollment for the Sept. 3 Massachusetts primary election.

Early voting for the state primary also begins Saturday, Aug. 24, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at City Hall, 210 Main St. That is where early voting also will be held Monday, Aug. 26, through Friday, Aug. 30, from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

The application deadline for a mail-in ballot for the state primary is 5 p.m., Monday, Aug. 26. Mail-in ballots are available online at https://www.sec.state.ma.us/MailInRequestWeb/MailInBallot.aspx or by contacting the city clerk’s office. Mail-in ballots must be received at the city clerk’s office by 8 p.m. Sept. 3. They may be returned by mail to the city clerk’s office or dropped off in person at the service window at the clerk’s office inside City Hall or the drop box near the front steps outside City Hall. Mail-in ballots CANNOT be dropped off at a polling place on Sept. 3.

Ward 1 residents will continue to vote at the Jackson Street School. Polls will be open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. Sept. 3.

The primary ballot lists candidates for U.S. Senate; 2nd Congressional District; 8th District governor’s councilor; Hampshire, Franklin, Worcester Senate District; 1st Hampshire House District; Hampshire County clerk of courts; Hampshire District register of deeds; and Hampshire County register of probate to fill a vacancy.

There is one person listed for.each office on the Democratic ballot. The only candidates listed on the Republican ballot are seeking the nomination for U.S. Senate: Robert Antonellis of Medford, Ian Cain of Quincy and John Deaton of Swansea. The winner will face U.S. Sen. Elizabeth Warren in the Nov. 5 general election.

There are no candidates listed on the Libertarian ballot.

Further information, including sample ballots, is available here: https://www.northamptonma.gov/755/Elections

Stan