North Main Street Task Force Regular Meeting

The North Main Street Task Force, chaired by Councilwoman Sue Annois, held a regular meeting on February 11, 2026, at 5:03 PM. The meeting covered project closeouts, progress updates, and discussions on expanding the task force's scope to address safety on Branch Avenue. Key outcomes included accepting a resignation, confirming completion of a lighting project, and providing a platform for councilmembers to request assistance for Branch Avenue improvements.

Consent Calendar

• Unanimously accepted the resignation of task force member Rachel Peterson (motion passed).

Public Comments & Testimony

• Michael (no affiliation stated): Expressed concern that new lighting did not cover the darkest areas, citing dangers for pedestrians, especially women. Suggested using federal funding or private partnerships to create amenities like benches and games to improve safety and lighting. Also noted issues with vehicles traveling the wrong way on one-way North Main Street to access emergency services, creating head-on collision risks.
• Arjuna (neighborhood representative, non-voting): Highlighted that snow removal responsibilities are unclear among different agencies, impeding pedestrian safety on North Main. Asked for improved inter-agency communication.
• Dylan (Childs Problems Streets Coalition): Supported expanding the task force's scope to Branch Avenue. Announced a partnership to use blue and N ARP grant funds to improve the Doyle/Charles intersection, including narrowing turn lanes. Noted that current planter materials (used for daylighting) are not durable and need to be reconsidered.
• Jason Cashband (Ward 3 resident, dietitian): Presented a list of resident concerns, including slow repair of traffic signals (e.g., Charles St. entrance to 146), lack of snow removal on key sidewalks (Camp/Doyle triangle, MLK area, bus stop near Whole Foods), and safety issues at the Camp/Brown intersection (speeding). Also requested more trees for heat mitigation. Noted that the Summit Neighborhood Association (SNA) leads tree planting efforts in the area.
• Kevin Sington (representing Bloomberg Island): Expressed support for traffic-calming plantings (citing success at Benefit/Pleasant). Announced grants up to $10,000 for nonprofits and $500 for individuals through Bloom Rhode Island, open through end of February.

Discussion Items

• Lighting Project Closeout: Kyle reported that the North Main Street lighting project (cobrahead replacements and decorative lights at University Marketplace) was complete as of February 2026. Punch-list items (landscaping restoration) will be done in spring. Councilwoman Annois shared a constituent story where improved lighting helped prevent a pedestrian crash, crediting the project with saving a life. The task force discussed potential for a future phase (side streets) but noted no current funding.
• RSA Updates (Sean Brayman, RI DOT): Reported that some striping improvements and signal timing modifications (Rest on Red, exclusive pedestrian phases) are still outstanding, likely to be implemented in spring/soon thereafter. Next steps include evaluating up to four additional temporary daylighting opportunities, conducting traffic/pedestrian counts for up to three mid-block crossings (Randall/Branch, Branch/Rochambo, Rochambo/Frost), and coordinating with the city on parking utilization studies.
• Long-term Planning (STIP Project): The state's Transportation Improvement Program project has gone out to bid; bids are under review. The project team cannot discuss specifics publicly but confirmed the process is moving forward.
• State Legislative Updates: Councilwoman Annois noted follow-up discussions with Elizabeth (from the courts) and city policy team regarding red-light cameras and enforcement. Some contracts are in process. An update may be available by end of February.
• Branch Avenue (Invited Guests Councilwoman Peterson and Councilman Royce): Councilmembers requested the task force's assistance to apply its model (lighting, short-term fixes, RSA) to Branch Avenue, citing pedestrian safety concerns, recent fatalities (e.g., Michael DeMola), and the presence of elderly housing complexes and a high school. They identified Branch & Olmsted as a priority intersection (part of the Safe Streets Plan with federal demonstration grant funds). Councilman Royce shared a spreadsheet ranking city intersections by crash index, indicating Branch & Olmsted is a high priority.
• Task Force Scope Expansion: Members discussed whether to formally expand the task force's scope to include Branch Avenue or other high-risk corridors (e.g., Charles Street, Douglas/River). Some supported the idea, noting that as North Main Street work moves toward design/construction, the task force's focus could shift to other corridors.

Key Outcomes

• Resignation accepted: Rachel Peterson's resignation was approved unanimously.
• Lighting project closed out: Punch-list items deferred to spring.
• Follow-up actions directed:
  • Kyle to coordinate a meeting among Councilwoman Peterson, Councilman Royce, Nate (traffic engineering), and Sean (RI DOT) to outline next steps for Branch Avenue.
  • Sean to pursue exclusive pedestrian phases at approved locations (all north of Doyle).
  • City to explore funding for a professional Road Safety Audit (RSA) for Branch Avenue (potentially via CDBG or other funds).
  • Councilwoman Annois to follow up on snow removal responsibilities for the median (parks/DPW) and bus stops (RIPTA coordination).
  • Councilwoman Annois to follow up on the Camp/Brown intersection safety issue with Nate.
• Task force scope expansion deferred: No formal vote; members expressed interest in potentially expanding in future meetings.
• Next meeting: Scheduled for a future date (not specified in transcript).

Additional Notes

• New neighborhood representative Arjuna was introduced but not yet a voting member (appointment pending city council approval).
• The task force acknowledged Claire, the clerk, who retired at the end of the calendar year, and thanked Jessica for her service (departing role).
• Public comments emphasized snow removal and the need for clearer responsibilities among agencies.
• The meeting was adjourned following a motion.