HomeMy WebLinkAboutCounty Commission Minutes 10-27-2010_201402051725287121COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
Minutes of the Meeting of 27 October 2010. The meeting took place in the Court Room, Town and
County Building, 16 Broad Street, Nantucket, MA 02554. Members of the Commission present
were Rick Atherton, Brian Chadwick, Michael Kopko, Patricia Roggeveen, and Whiting Willauer.
Chairman Chadwick called the meeting to order at 6:00 PM.
I. ANNOUNCEMENTS
None.
II. PUBLIC COMMENT
None.
III. APPROVAL OF MINUTES, WARRANTS AND PENDING CONTRACTS
1. Approval of Minutes of 22 September 2010 at 6:00 PM. The minutes of 22 September 2010 at
6:00 PM were approved by unanimous consent of the meeting.
2. Approval of Payroll and Treasury Warrants for October 2010. The payroll and treasury warrants
for October 2010 were approved by unanimous consent of the meeting.
IV. PUBLIC HEARINGS
1. Public Hearing to Consider Options for Extension of Prospect Street Shared-Use Path.
Chairman Chadwick opened the public hearing. Transportation Planner Mike Burns reviewed the
proposed options for the Prospect Street shared-use path project, and explained that the goal is to
provide a connector between the existing Prospect Street and Madaket Road shared-use paths.
He said many concerns have been expressed to him about protecting the character of Mill Hill
Lane, and he has revised his recommendation to the Commission regarding the Mill Hill Lane
section of the proposed extension to not paving the entire width of Mill Hill Lane and instead to
install a separate, 8’ wide, paved bike path on the south side of Mill Hill Lane. Abutters along Mill
Hill Lane, Saratoga Lane, and Vestal Street expressed their concerns and asked questions, which
the Commission and Mr. Burns answered. Attorney Lori D’Elia, representing an abutter on Mill Hill
Lane, said her client would prefer that the extension not go through Mill Hill Lane and that the
character and condition of Mill Hill Lane be preserved. She added that if the recommended plan is
approved, her client is in favor of a separate path being installed along Mill Hill Lane. Mr. Kopko
said it feels like they are “trying to bash a square peg into a round hole” and he is ready to go back
to the drawing board with the entire plan, noting the recommendations don’t seem to solve the
problems. Jack Gardner suggested the County fix the sidewalks on Prospect Street to keep
pedestrian and bike traffic on Prospect Street; in addition, he suggested painting a 4’ line down
Prospect Street and installing “share the road” signs and stencils. Mr. Burns said all the options
discussed tonight have been discussed by the Planning Office and dismissed for various reasons,
noting he feels the option he is recommending is the safest, most effective and scenic. Mr.
Chadwick closed the public hearing. Mr. Kopko said many concerns were raised tonight and the
County should get a cost estimate for fixing the Prospect Street sidewalks. Ms. Roggeveen agreed
with Mr. Kopko and said being aware of the traffic congestion is better than being surprised by
unknown traffic situations. Ms. Roggeveen thanked Mr. Burns for his hard work but said she is not
in favor of what is being recommended. Mr. Atherton asked the planners to continue the dialogue
regarding the matter. Mr. Kopko moved to have the Planning staff further study Prospect Street
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and the other areas of the recommended route and to put together a cost estimate for repairing the
existing sidewalks on Prospect Street; Ms. Roggeveen seconded. All in favor, so voted.
V. OFFICIAL BUSINESS
None.
VI. COMMISSIONERS REPORTS/COMMENTS
None.
VII. ADJOURNMENT
The meeting was unanimously adjourned at 6:42 PM.
Approved the 22nd day of December, 2010.
COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
27 OCTOBER 2010 – 6:00 PM
COURT ROOM, TOWN & COUNTY BUILDING
NANTUCKET, MASSACHUSETTS
List of documents used at the meeting:
III. 1. Draft minutes of 22 September 2010 at 6:00 PM.
IV. 1. Email from Barbara Cohen, re: concerns over shared-use path; Planning presentations, re:
Prospect Street shared-use path recommendation and options; memo from Mike Burns