HomeMy WebLinkAbout2012-7-28ADVISORY COMMITTEE OF NONVOTING TAXPAYERS
Minutes of meeting 10 A.M., SATURDAY, July 28, 2012, at
4 Fairgrounds Road
1. Attending: Howard Blitman, Roger Ernst, Lucas Fischer (from
10:12 a.m.), Steve Meader, Bill Sherman, Jay Strauss and Jim
Treanor, plus selectman Bruce Miller.
2. ACNVT Chair Howard Blitman called the meeting to order at
10:04 a.m. The minutes of the July 14, 2012 meeting vwre
approved subject to confirmation. Z ^>
3. After introductions selectman Bruce Miller outlined hiEgniaivos
toward addressing in -town parking problems, and relate traffic
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congestion. First, the Town's efforts to set up a trial of ol'f -street
parking at the old electric plant property have been sloe* g rn
National Grid lawyer's concerns. Some hope remains th� a Me- °
year trial in summer 2013 could be worked out. m o
4. Working with Jack Gardner and Nat Lowell, Bruce Millq has'
identified instances of excessively long yellow lines, together if
corrected allowing up to 40 more in -town parking spaces.
5. Before Core District limits on parking were raised from 6 to 7 p.m.
at Bruce's suggestion, spaces could be occupied from 4 p.m. on
without turnover, severely limiting evening parking spaces. With
this change, hours of NPD enforcement now extend to 7 p.m. Early
in -town diners are more likely to find convenient parking. In
selected areas surrounding the Core District with 2 -hour limits, a
similar extension of evening enforcement hours is envisioned.
6. Under state law, no parking is allowed 10' on either side of a fire
hydrant. By relocating hydrants from mid- to end -of -block sites,
e.g., when under - street water lines or sewer lines are accessed,
additional parking would be gained.
7. Mindful of potential impacts of new MMA facilities and potential
removal of the Town Annex at 37 Washington Street,
reconfiguration of the Town pier parking lot has the potential for
much added parking. Better signage would help. Data collection as
to parking needs for boating users of Town pier might support
reduction of the federal requirement of 60 user spaces, currently
underutilized.
8. Again with Jack Gardner, the public parking spaces available at
Fisherman's beach in Surfside have been increased substantially.
Better surfacing, with hardener, is proposed for 2013. Voluntary
funding of Surfside private roads by generous residents was noted.
9. For better utilization of the Grand Union parking lot, owner
Stephen Karp may be approached to consider innovations, perhaps
introducing controls like those at the airport's public parking area.
Pullouts for taxis adjacent the Boat Basin would help traffic flow.
10. The NRTA offers relief from traffic and parking issues and has
benefitted from ReMain initiatives. Per Bill Sherman, funding that
would fully support NRTA, even without fares, is worth seeking.
Bruce noted the many ways ReMain has aided the island, sensitive
to its priorities.
11.If adoption of these various steps toward more parking, any
decision about Town- imposed paid parking would have benefit of
data showing the need, if any, for further action.
12.Turning to other subjects, Bruce was asked by Jim Treanor about
status of undergrounding utility wires in the core district. Verizon,
with limited revenue from iandline phones, holds back completion
of the effort.
13.Howard Blitman expressed dismay with continued proposals to
armor portions of the `Sconset bluff. Erosion on either side of
armoring is typically experienced. Bruce favored resolution of the
issue in ConCom proceedings
14.At 10:47 a.m., with thanks expressed by Howard Blitman, Bruce
Miller left the meeting.
15.Lucas Fischer said that he would be speaking with Cormac Collier
of the Land Council about next steps in dissuading developers
from clearing native vegetation from a lot.
16.Howard Blitman expressed concern about the proposed Nantucket
Gun Club firing range east of the airport. Members expressed
concern for Howard facing surgery.
17.Jay Strauss reported that he had been invited by Chinese
participants in the recent Law of the Sea conference in Newport to
offer lectures in Beijing, characterizing parties to the conference as
stakeholders, not adversaries.
18.For our next meeting, July 28`h, a representative of ReMain will be
asked to share thoughts on island issues.
19.The meeting was adjourned at 11:03 a.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Bill Sherman, Secretary
Draft minutes distributed and submitted to Town Clerk 8/1/12
Minutes adopted 8/11/12