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Home My WebLink About2019-1-15Town and County of Nantucket ROADS AND RIGHT OF WAY COMMITTEE 25,19 FEB 21 Ali 11: ItS Meeting of 15 January 2019 Conference Room of 2 Fairgrounds Road FINAL AND APPROVED MINUTES 1. Call to Order, Approval of the Agenda, Approval of Minutes, and Public Comments. A. Chair Allen Reinhard called the meeting to order at 4:02 pm. In attendance were Rick Atherton, Nelson (Snookie) Eldridge, Leslie Forbes (left at 5:30 pm), Nat Lowell (arrived at 4:06 pm), Allen Reinhard, and Lee Saperstein; there was a quorum at all times. Absent: Ed Gillum and Bert Ryder. Guests: Mike Burns, Transportation Planner, Bill Grieder (arrived 4:25 pm), Paula Leary, NRTA Administrator, Harold and Colleen Whelden, 14 Baltimore Street. B. Approval of the Agenda. The agenda was approved unanimously. C. Minutes. Lee Saperstein reminded committee members that they are considering the latest version of the minutes that include Rick Atherton's correction to the preliminary draft. In addition, he said, as a follow-up to item 3. of these minutes, that the Real Estate Assessment Committee had recommended to the Select Board the taking of James Street but, as is their custom, made no recommendation on conveyance until such time as it is taken. Thence, upon a motion made by Leslie Forbes and seconded by Rick Atherton, minutes from December 18, 2018, were approved unanimously. D. Public Comments. Committee members agreed to give the guests the opportunity to speak during the discussion of Item 2. 2. Washington Avenue and Baltimore (aka `B') Street in Madaket. Allen Reinhard introduced the topic by explaining that our guests have concerns about the flow of traffic on Washington Avenue and its cross streets, particularly Baltimore, `C', and `D' Streets, in Madaket. He explained that Washington is a public way to the end of the paved portion and private thereafter. House numbers on Washington originate at its intersection with the Madaket Road and grow as one goes northeasterly. The specific issue that they bring to the committee is the public versus private ownership of the section of Baltimore Street between the Madaket Road and Washington Avenue. The issue was brought to a head by an announcement from the NRTA on the use of Madaket roads for turning around of the Madaket bus. Paula Leary told the committee that obstructions on Washington Avenue prevented the use of `D' Street, the normal route, which had led to the use of Baltimore Street instead of D Street for the bus to use as a loop for turning around. The Wheldens talked about safety issues when contractor and landscaper trucks block these streets. It was noted that many properties had encroachments into the layout of Washington Avenue and these caused workers to park their vehicles in the roadway. The request was for the committee to recommend to the Select Board that the portion of Baltimore Street, used for the turn -around, be taken for public ownership. Nat Lowell spoke about a safety issue for left turns from Baltimore Street to the Madaket Road. He also mentioned that, should it be taken, there would be a public question on paving it. A further issue revealed by the Wheldens is that the owner of 1 Washington Ave is undertaking construction that will encroach upon Baltimore Street. Committee comments were that, if Baltimore Street is used by vehicular traffic, this encroachment may not be safe because of access issues for emergency vehicles. Mike Burns said that the Traffic Safety Work Group would be dealing with this issue later this week. Leslie Forbes asked to whom concerned citizens should write and the answer was the County Commissioners. Bill Grieder suggested that the committee examine all of the "alphabet" streets in Madaket for their use and ownership. Allen Reinhard said that our next step would be to recommend, or not, the addition of this section of Baltimore St to our Potential Road Takings list. The rationale for a taking would include passage of safety vehicles, passage of buses and other commercial vehicles, and linkage to other streets used by vehicles. Leslie Forbes asked about timing and whether this issue is critical. Allen Reinhard said that we should move to Agenda Item 4. and consider the addition of Baltimore St to the Potential Road Takings list. Committee members agreed to the change in agenda order. 3. Millbrook Road Obstructions: Update. After completion of Item 4. (below), Allen Reinhard reported that he had not heard from Marty McGowan about the development of a neighborhood response to deteriorating conditions on Millbrook Road. Nat Lowell commented that there should be a local homeowners association that makes recommendations on the road similar to the Quidnet-Squam road maintenance agreement. 4. Potential Takings List. 2 The Committee jumped to this item directly from Item 2. The motion before the committee was to add Baltimore Street to the Potential Road Taking list and convey the revised list immediately to the Select Board. The recommendation has some urgency and may require review by Town Counsel. Nat Lowell moved and Rick Atherton seconded this motion; the vote in favor was unanimous. Allen Reinhard then reviewed the list: Winn Street, Somerset Road, and Warrens Landing Road to which we will now add Baltimore Street. [Action: Allen Reinhard will convey this urgent issue to the Town Manager immediately] Leslie Forbes said that we should also consider the proposed citizen's articles to take and subsequently convey Washington Avenue between H and I Street. The article was advised by a local attorney. This portion of the way is undeveloped. 5. Public Way Monument Project, Greenway and Railroad Trail Update. As reported at the last meeting, Allen Reinhard and Lee Saperstein have reviewed locations for new Public Way monuments and will recommend placements to the DPW. With respect to the Nantucket Railroad historic trail, Allen Reinhard reported that the Nantucket Conservation Foundation has mowed a portion of the railbed toward Tom Nevers and we should revive our plan to mark it as a walking trail. 6. Pleasant Street Sidewalk Update. Allen Reinhard reported that he has been in contact with a friend of the family that owns 57 and 61 Pleasant Street, the large lot that abuts Pleasant Street without a sidewalk. He has learned that there is no plan for a subdivision on that property. He will propose to the mutual friend that he meet with the property owners to obtain their consent for a sidewalk. If obtained, he will then ask the DPW to create a plan. [Action: Allen Reinhard to pursue a plan for a sidewalk at 57 Pleasant Street.] 7. Spruce Street Viewing Stand and CPA Project Update. Allen Reinhard has learned that the Community Preservation Committee has pulled the grant for a viewing platform at the end of the Spruce Street and returned the money to their open -space fund. He indicated that we will continue to push for a viewing platform in association with a harbor walk. 8. Old, New or Other Business: Cemetery Access, Member Comments, James Street Taking Update, GIS Map Update. The James Street taking was mentioned by Lee Saperstein in his introduction to the minutes. The Town will be adding a new suite of rectified (map true) aerial photographs obtained from Google maps to its Geographical Information System, GIS. 3 9. Adjourn, The meeting was adjourned at 5:40 p.m. Next meeting: 4:00 p.m., Tuesday, February 19, 2019. L Lee W. Saperstein, Secretary Date Zc2i'J Roads and Right of Way Outstanding Project , List: Public Way Monument Project: (Lee & Allen & Snookie) • Install remaining monuments at Sconset Footpath, Hulbert Ave. • Update file of existing monuments • Move monuments at Westchester St. Ext. & Crooked Lane Sidewalk Projects: (Allen) • Prospect St. (bike path to Upper Vestal St.) and on to Madaket bike path • Cliff Rd. Coffin Park to bike path at Sherburne Tpk. • Pleasant St. Gardner Perry Lane to Williams St. • Follow implementation of downtown sidewalk improvements Bike/Pedestrian connection from Surfside to Hummock Pond to Madaket paths Harbor Walk Project: (Rick) • Identify route and identify sections needing constructed walkway • Concept drawings of construction required • List permits and approvals needed and process to obtain • Funding Chapter 91 Monitor Project: (Leslie & Lee) • Define goals for project • Make local license information available on line • Chapter 91 licenses along route for the Harbor Walk • Locate other locations on Nantucket and Madaket Harbors requiring licenses Nantucket Greenway and Trail System Project: (Allen, Lee, Bert) • Nantucket Central Rail Road trail • Map existing island trail and footpath systems and identify missing links • How should maps and information be shared? 4