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HomeMy WebLinkAboutRight-of-Way Minutes - February 15, 2011 (Draft)_201402041506554016 TOWN AND COUNTY OF NANTUCKET ROADS AND RIGHT OF WAY COMMITTEE DRAFT MINUTES ❤ February 15, 2011 CALL TO ORDER Chairman Allen Reinhard called the monthly meeting to order at 4:00 PM on Tuesday, February 15 in the garage area of the Town Building at 2 Fairgrounds Road. In addition to Mr. Reinhard, the following Committee members were present: D. Anne Atherton, Annie Bissinger Poor, Sylvie O’Donnell, Lee Saperstein and John Stackpole. Bert Ryder, a member of the public was also present. Committee members Nat Lowell and Harvey Young arrived shortly thereafter. APPROVAL OF MINUTES The DRAFT Minutes of the January 18 meeting were unanimously approved, with Mr. Saperstein making the motion and Mr. Saperstein seconding it. DISCUSSION: PROJECTS, PRIORITIES AND FOLLOW UP FOR THE COMING YEAR Chairman Reinhard rearranged the Projects and Issues List into priority order for discussion. The purpose of the discussion was to see where the Committee’s efforts could be focused and what specific results the group wants to achieve. Mr. Reinhard believes that the Greenway Project ties together much of the work done to date and could be the most significant project result. Discussion followed, focusing on the items on the list in the order prepared by Mr. Reinhard. R&ROW PROJECTS IN PRIORTY ORDER AS REVISED 2.7.11 PROJECT DISCUSSION Number One: Plan for Establishment of a Nantucket Greenway and Foot-Path System Allen met with Eric Savaetsky and Bruce Perry to further develop the concept of a Greenway. Out of the discussion came the understanding that the Greenway, itself, is essentially the conservation areas around the island that are basically comprised of three sections: one, the WEST end; are all concentrated together; LB, NCF (Sanford Farm), also TON properties (Hummock Pond over); system of trails and paths already exist; two, on EASTERN side of island: primarily NCF, LB controls some key access points; network of trails in this area also; LINK between the two exists, although there are gaps; Holdgate property is gateway on one side; three, two north- DRAFT ROW Committee Minutes, 2.15.11 2 PROJECT DISCUSSION CONTINUED CONTINUED Plan for Establishment of a Nantucket Greenway and Foot-Path System south trails; one on west goes from Dionis beach across town-owned land; LB, NCF, LB etc. to south shore; second north-south corridor on EAST; NCF property at UMASS Field Station to bike path, into middle moors; then a number of possibilities, Milestone Road, to Toms Nevers, West Pond Valley. The challenge is to connect different conservation green areas, sub-systems off of primary trails. GW Project tasks include: identify green belt; within that area, identify primary trails; mark them with consistent marking of some kind; depict this as a **system** linking them into a Greenway Project. Mr. Stackpole asked if this is within our venue, as it seems far a-field from the mission of the R&ROW Committee? Mr. Reinhard responded: The GW Project provides a rationale to secure public access; advance the cause of public access; in a sense this Greenway Project furthers that, by providing map, etc; creates a system of public-access points on the ground across the island; codifies it into a system; less likely to “get loss” if they are incorporated into one overall project; in developing Greenway, we can see where the GAPS are. Mr. Stackpole still doesn’t think it is our number #1 priority and believes the Committee should focus on taking roads, etc. Ms. Bissinger Poor asked: Why can’t NCF and LB get together to develop map? Mr. Reinhard responded that the LB could take the lead on this and that he sees the Committee’s role as a catalyst. Mr. Stackpole thinks it is going on and the LB has the money to do this project. AGREEMENT Mr. Saperstein suggested that a communication from the Committee to the NCF and the LB delineating where a Greenway should go and identifying the gaps would be helpful. There was general agreement that the Committee should prepare and send such communication, but that no additional action is necessary at this point. Mr. Lowell noted that **signage** is key. Number Two: Surfside Roads to Airport Takings Project Easements, Surveys and Plans Needed Update: These roads are top priority on R&ROW Committee’s Roads Takings List. There are two articles on Warrant for upcoming ATM, #35 and #36, presented by the Surfside Association. The intent of Article #35 is to release funds ($150,000) that have been set aside in 2004 ATM to do some fixing of these roads, so Town can do some emergency repairs, while #36 deals with the funding. There was a meeting last week with the Town Manager and Surfside people. A subsequent memo came out outlining specific actions to bring this project forward. The takings have been ratcheted up on the County Commissioners’ agenda. There is a lot happening in background re discussion of betterments, etc.; all of pieces coming together. Mr. Reinhard reiterated that he is abutter on Boulevarde. It is expected that within two years, the takings will be completed. The R&ROW Committee recommendation is influential. As of now 51 easements, out of 67 abutters, have been agreed to. The Committee’s role at this point is to follow through and keep pressure on County Commissioners because they do the takings without going through Town Meetings. Ms. Bissinger Poor asked: Why take in fee and not easement? DRAFT ROW Committee Minutes, 2.15.11 3 PROJECT DISCUSSION CONTINUED Number Three: Pedestrian/Bike Path Linking Prospect Street Path to Madaket Bike Route Via Mill Hill BOS rejected going over Mill Hill, across Mt. Vernon. Mr. Lowell pointed out that there is simply no room on Prospect Street and that in regard to the Quaker Road situation, we need **another** presentation. This is the only option. We should have been notified, and we need to revisit this proposal. Now that the Glidden house at corner of Milk Street has been lifted up, this is a perfect opportunity for them to install a narrow sidewalk. DPW could do this if money is involved. Ms. Bissinger Poor asked: Where are Glidden’s property lines? AGREEMENT  A two-prong approach was agreed upon: one, re-visit original proposal; and, two, then look at recommendation re installing sidewalk (Quaker Road). Ms. Bissinger Poor will look at title and send to Allen. (It is believed that the present owner is Sam Aloisi.) Process: We need to look back and remind the powers-that-be that the public could have been involved **earlier** in the process. Mr. Stackpole commented that the Committee would have to take the initiative in this regard. Mr. Lowell suggested that we invite Mr. Vorce and Mr. Burns to our next meeting. ACTION  Chairman Reinhard will invite staff to March meeting. Mr. Stackpole asked that the conversation be broadened to include sidewalks down the rest of Prospect Street. Apparently, if this were considered a “capital improvement,” the project could be done with operating funds. Number Four: Update Priority Takings List and Process Used to Evaluate Priority for Takings No urgency right now. In regard to the matrix Ms. Bissinger Poor has been developing, she has started doing the title work. Going forward, she would like to work on the research level solely, and forego the responsibility of monthly meetings. She believes that this is how she can best contribute to the work of the Committee, to which she is committed. Chairman Reinhard thanked Ms. Bissinger Poor for her offer of professional services to the Committee. The suggestion was made that, since CPC funds are now available for R&ROW work, that Ms. Bissinger Poor be compensated for her services, although at a lower level than she would normally receive. Mr. Reinhard and Ms. Bissinger Poor will work out the details of her new relationship with the Committee and its work. All present recognized the value of Ms Bissinger Poor’s contributions to the Committee, thanked her and look forward to working together in a newly-defined relationship. Cato Lane: Ms. O’Donnell raised the issue of Cato Lane and asked if the Committee was satisfied that Cato Lane would never go through? Messers Lowell, Stackpole and Reinhard responded that nothing is being done that will make it a dead-end road. The owners in question are only subdividing their own property that will NOT result in making it impossible to get through. Number Five: Surfside Paper Road/Abutters Ways Takings There are a number of articles on Warrant for ATM2011. The Surfside Work Group has gone over these VERY carefully. They are complicated. Yard-sale properties are running into trouble with Registry. Paper ways cannot be extinguished off of registered lands without abutting property owners approval: This creates non-conformity problems DRAFT ROW Committee Minutes, 2.15.11 4 PROJECT DISCUSSION CONTINUED Number Six: First Way Pedestrian/Bike Access and Road Improvement Recommendation has been made to the BOS. So far nothing concrete has happened. We secured an estimate from Billy Cassidy. Right now it is dangerous, unpaved, and no place for children to walk. The issue is a strip in the middle not taken. This doesn’t preclude improving so there is a sidewalk or path for kids to use. Right now nothing is happening. This is a **safety** issue. There are deed restrictions on Backus lots that complicate the matter. We need to keep it on the radar. ACTION  Either send a follow-up memorandum OR Mr. Reinhard will personally remind the TM and Mr. Jack Gardner of the Traffic Safety Advisory Committee. Number Seven: Miller Lane Foot-path Property transfer to the Land Bank on hold by the Town. There is another article on the Warrant for ATM2011, as Ms. Glowacki is trying to get strip of Town-owned land for access to her lots. Number Eight: Foot-path from Washing Street Extension to Orange Street Improvement Project Check out illustration on the wall of Mr. Burn’s office. Mr. David Goodman has opined that “you can’t build over railroad bed.” Mr. Young commented that extensive drainage is needed around Consue Springs: Perhaps all this work could be done at the same time. A culvert goes under railroad to goose pond: Major contaminants are in bottom of duck pond Number Nine: Spruce Street Viewing Platform/Boardwalk to East Creek Road Mr. Vorce is seeing what funds might be available to install platform. Number Ten: East Creek Road Layout Left side of Our Island Home: the LB will improve this area. Number Eleven: Public Cemetery Access and Maintenance DPW must maintain access to cemeteries. Number Twelve: Oversight of Maintenance West Chester Extension, Crooked Land and Cathcart road Keep “heat” on DPW. Combine with Parks and Rec. This is a golden opportunity for Town to address some of these issues Number Thirteen: Publication of “A History of Roads and Ways” Ms. Atherton and Mr. Reinhard will keep thinking about this. DRAFT ROW Committee Minutes, 2.15.11 5 PROJECT DISCUSSION CONTINUED Number Fourteen: Chapter 91 Public Access License Enforcement Mr. Saperstein, liaison to the HPIC, reported that Jeff Carlson, the Beach Manager, would like to come talk to our group. The Harbor Plan chart of Chapter 91 licenses is being moved into Excel form for better use: There have been a number of difficulties. ACTION: Mr. Carlson should be invited to our next meeting. Number Fifteen: Mill Hill Project: Map of Trails and Public Property, Status of Public Use Any right of way issues? Ms. Bissinger Poor asked if this area could it be part of Greenway Project? Mr. Reinhard responded that the idea is to take a look at this property to see what the possibilities are. COMPLETED PROJECTS IN NEED OF IMPLEMENTATION AND FOLLOW-UP PROJECT DISCUSSION CONTINUED Access to Sconset Foot- Path Subcommittee Ms. Atherton and Mr. Young to follow up. Public Way Marking Project Phase II/Future Locations Mr. Reinhard to schedule formal recommendation to BOS. [DONE} R&ROW Improvement Plan Follow-Up and Implementation The matter of underground utilities needs to be revisited. This could be a **significant** contribution to the overall character of the island. NEW BUSINESS Mr. Lowell noted that the DPW had done an **excellent** job in cutting brush along the Polpis Road. ACTION  The Committee would like to formally communicate to them that well- earned KUDOS are deserved by all. ADJOURNMENT Having reached the end of the agenda, the Chairman adjourned the meeting at 6:00 PM. The next regular monthly meeting of the Committee is scheduled for 4:00 PM on Tuesday, March 15, 2010 at 2 Fairgrounds Road. Respectfully submitted, D. Anne R. Atherton Secretary 3.13.11