HomeMy WebLinkAboutBoard of Selectmen Minutes January 28, 2008_201402061518097723BOARD OF SELECTMEN
Minutes of the Meeting of 28 January 2008 at 9:30 AM. The meeting took place in the Conference
Room at 2 Fairgrounds Road, Nantucket, MA 02554. Members of the Board present were Brian
Chadwick, Patricia Roggeveen, Allen Reinhard and Michael Kopko. Whitey Willauer was absent.
Vice Chairman Kopko called the meeting to order at 9:33 AM.
WORKSHOP MEETING
Review and Discussion of Potential Options to Improve Traffic Flow at the Nantucket Elementary
School. Transportation Planner Michael Burns provided the Board of Selectmen with an overview
of options for improving traffic flow in the vicinity of Nantucket Elementary School. Mr. Burns
outlined three steps: (1) improvements along Friendship Lane and Somerset Road; (2)
improvements in the vicinity of Essex Road, Salros Road, and Nobska Way; and (3) improvements
in the vicinity of Backus Lane and First Way. The goal of these improvements would be to improve
the traffic flow going to and from the elementary school as well as to provide an alternative route
for general traffic, to mitigate traffic congestion along Surfside Road and Bartlett Road. Mr. Kopko
and Mr. Jack Gardner discussed the improvements that would have to be made to Friendship Lane
in order to make it a viable alternative to Surfside Road. Mr. Reinhard suggested that proper
planning would be vital for the success of any improvements because the improvements must have
proper speed and traffic controls as part of their design.
Ms. Roggeveen asked if the school could have school buses drop off students at the back as
opposed to the front of the school to help alleviate congestion in the front of the school where
parents drop off students. Mr. Kopko recommended that encouraging the use of school buses
instead of driving children to school would also help alleviate congestion at the school. Discussion
followed regarding improvements to Backus Lane that would be needed in order for there to be an
access point for school buses behind the school. Mr. Reinhard stated it was a priority of the Road
and Right of Way Committee for the Town to take control of First Way. Mr. Chadwick suggested
that someone from the schools should be involved in these discussions, and was informed that
Jack McFarland, Facilities Manager of Nantucket Public Schools, had been consulted and is
supportive of improvements to Backus Lane.
Mr. Kopko raised the issue of how to fund these improvements, which was followed by a brief
discussion of funding alternatives. Mr. Burns indicated that planning could move forward with
various grants, and once planning for these improvements is completed then the Board of
Selectmen would have a better idea of implementation costs.
Mr. Chadwick moved to continue studying possible improvements to help with traffic flow at the
Nantucket Elementary School; seconded by Mr. Reinhard. So voted unanimously.
The meeting was adjourned at 10:18 AM.
Approved the day of 20th February, 2008.