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r F Bicycle& Pedestrian Advisory.Committee
Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee—Minutes
Wednesday,August 24,2022
2 Fairgrounds Way
Members Present:
• Ian Golding
• Michel Kremer
• John Mynttinen
• Joseph Topham
• RJ Turcotte
• Laura Walters
Members Missing:Jason Bridges
Staff Present: Patrick Reed
Additional Guests or Members of the Public: Matt Fee(Select Board Proxy)
I.Administrative Items
a.Call to Order:The meeting was called to order at 3:33pm
b. Establishment of Quorum:Quorum established.
c.Approval of Agenda: No additional items.
d.Welcome/Opening Remarks:Staffer Patrick Reed welcomed the group and provided
background on his past experience in transportation planning.
e.Selection of Chair and Alternate:The group discussed selection of chair and vice chair. Mr.
Golding mentioned that he was previously vice chair. He nominated Jason Bridges as chair,who
was not present.Selection of chair was continued to a future meeting.The group put forward
Mr.Golding as a candidate for vice chair. Mr. Fee nominated Mr.Golding,and his nomination
was seconded by Mr.Topham. His selection passed unanimously.
f. Discussion of Future Meeting Times&Formats: Mr. Golding facilitated a discussion of future
meeting times.The group agreed to pursue virtual meetings, but discussed making an effort to
meet twice a year or so in-person,as suggested by Ms.Walters.The group agreed,and Mr. Reed
offered to check-in from time to time regarding appropriate occasions for in-person meetings
(generally related to plan review). Mr. Reed requested the group select a time and date.
Following discussion,the group proposed meeting on Tuesdays at 3:30pm,during either the
third or fourth week of each month.
Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee—August 24,2022 Minutes
II.Action and Discussion Items
a.Transportation Project Updates: Mr. Reed provided updates on various transportation
projects on the horizon that the group could anticipate/expect updates on as follows:
• Wauwinet Sidepath: Mr. Reed provided information about the town's previous grant
awards (MA-11 and MA-16,combined$1,283,200 inclusive of a 20 percent match). Mr.
. Reed also noted that additional funding has been sought via an application by the
NP&EDC(823,050, no match). Mr.Golding asked if a timeline had been established. Mr.
Reed replied that Federal Highway would be managing the path project with town
coordination,and that they submitted an MOA last week. Mr. Reed noted that the
MOA anticipates completing preliminary design in spring, but that seemed potentially
optimistic. Mr. Golding asked if neighbors were contributing funds. Mr. Reed responded
that the some neighbors on the roadway were interested in seeing the path through
and were exploring opportunities to create a fundraising account. Mr. Reed mentioned
that he had advised the citizens to hold-off on seeking donations until the design was
advanced to a point in which donors could understand what they may be donating
funds toward with a bit more specificity. Mr. Reed noted that interested parties could
donate easements in advance of the project.
• Orange Street/In-Town Bike Path: Mr. Reed noted that the town was working to
advance a second phase on the In-Town Bike Path project, noting that there were
$47,000 remaining on a contract with VHB to support a connection between the Creeks
and the rotary. Mr.Golding suggested reaching out to Rachel Freeman at ReMain
Nantucket to better understand their current work on Orange Street. Mr. Fee agreed
concurred with this suggestion and noted that a portion of the ReMain plan may be
elevated.
• Mill Hill Connector:Mr. Reed provided and overview of the Mill Hill Connector project,
noting that design had been completed in 2017, but that since then,the Land Bank has
been working with the Town on a land transfer. Because the Land Bank wishes to
integrate the bike path project into the design of the park,the Land Bank will take on
project design and implementation of this facility. It is staff's understanding that this
will include financial support of the connection. It is also staff's understanding that the
connectors termini will remain as originally envisioned at Old Farm Road and the
current terminus of the Prospect Street path.
• Lovers Lane: Mr. Reed provided an overview of the Lovers Lane project, noting that the
project is intended to pave Lovers Lane between Boulevard and Old South Road, noting
that the Select Board had recently reviewed the project.The project's cost have
increased from initial projections, mainly due to the provision of additional drainage to
"future-proof"the facility. Mr. Reed noted that because of this,town staff and the
consultant presented an implementation phasing plan to the Select Board,which would
include drainage as the first phase,the bicycle path in the Department of Conservation
and Recreation's property as the second phase,and then implementation of paving and
the rest of the sidepath in the third phase. Mr. Reed also noted that the project is in the
vicinity of other planned water extensions. Because of this,town staff are looking to
Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee—August 24,2022 Minutes
integrate these phases,which will include the design and paving of Orkorwaw and
Monahansett, into a more comprehensive phased package of improvements for the
Surfside Corridor area. Mrs.Walters asked if the bike path would be directly adjacent to
the roadway. Mr. Reed responded that for the most part the path would be adjacent to
the roadway on Lovers Lane separated by five feet of landscaping.Within the DCR
property,the path will be located farther away from the roadway(as it exists today).
Staff noted that the other roadways being designed in the area will also have bicycle
facilities. Mr. Fee mentioned that during the Select Board's review,the Select Board
discussed whether the currently planned section for Lovers Lane is adequate or would
require traffic calming, including things like parking. He continued that part of the
question that needs to be answered is if the town should assume this (and other
roadways in the area)are urban,suburban,or rural. Furthering this discussion, Mr.
Kremer asked projections related to the islands growth,to help understand and plan
how roads should be designed. Mr. Golding requested Mr. Reed provide the group the
Nantucket Planning and Economic Development Corporation's previously approved
Long-Range Plan,which provides a basic outline of projections and project prioritization
(including high-level cost estimates). Mr.Topham mentioned that the NP&EDC
discussed a need to understand how currently envisioned improvements aligned with
planned improvements,including setting up additional roadway connections for paving
(Ticomma and Rugged).
Following this comment, Mr.Golding requested staff consider speeding and the
nuisance sign law in its discussion of priorities(later in the agenda)as he had to depart.
Staff agreed to coordinate the agenda with the chair and vice chair.
• Milestone Road Bike Path Extension: Mr. Reed indicated that the DPW is working to
implement a path connection on the north side of Milestone Road between the
Monomoy Road and Polpis Road. Mr. Reed noted that the DPW is currently
coordinating with the State on access permits for the roadway,and the consultant is
discussing the intersection of Polpis Road and Milestone Road with MassDOT.
• Tom Nevers Sidepath: Mr. Reed mentioned that PLUS is working to advance planning
for a path on Tom Nevers Road and is currently locating sources to advance initial
designs now that a feasibility study is complete.
• Sparks/Williams/Pleasant Complete Streets Improvements: Mr. Reed quickly noted
that the Town is working on a complete streets project to improve and add sidewalks
on Pleasant Street,Sparks Street,and Williams Street.Staff is currently review plans
provided by the consultant.
b. Discussion Regarding Role of Committee including Coordination with Other Committees:
Mr. Reed discussed how the group provides its advisory comments to other regulatory groups. If
BPAC wishes to submit comments on a plan, project,or policy, it can craft,letters to the Select
Board, NP&EDC,or other bodies to provide comments. Mr. Reed asked the group about its own
priorities. Mrs.Walters asked about current projects,and why,for example,the town is looking
to work on Lovers Lane currently. Mr. Kremer mentioned that the prioritization of projects
should align with a discussion of equity and transportation equity, including better walking and
Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee—August 24,2022 Minutes
biking safety for all.Mr. Kremer noted the vicinity of the schools should be a priority area. Mr.
Fee, Mrs. Walters,and Mr.Topham noted that micro-mobility should be a topic at future
meetings due to community interest.The group briefly discussed the history of banning and
allowing mopeds on the island as a case study for integrating/accepting new transportation
modes. Mr. Fee discussed making our stop sign/crossing policies consistent across all bike and
path facilities, noting that they vary based on when the facility was implemented.The group
agreed that safety should be a large priority. Mr. Fee explained the role of the Traffic and Safety
Work Group to BPAC, mentioning that they deal with case to case minutia of parking(for
example,where parking should/should not be based on safety needs),crosswalks etc.The
group discussed reaching out to the Data Platform to help inform understanding about where
crashes occur on the island and discussed several locations of concern.
III.Other Business
a.Committee Comment:There were no additional committee comments.
b. Public Comment:There were no members of the public in attendance and therefore no
public comments.
IV.Adjournment:The group moved to adjourn at 4:42pm, unanimously.