HomeMy WebLinkAboutAnnual Report
TOWN AND COUNTY ROADS and RIGHT-OF-WAY COMMITTEE
Annual Report FY2007
Allen B. Reinhard, Chairman
Charles Sayle III, Vice Chairman
John Stackpole
Nat Lowell
Sylvie O'Donnell
Donald Visco
Harvey Young
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The Town and County Roads and Right-of-Way Committee evolved in 1993:!fi.om
two committees, the Proprietors Roads Committee and the Right-of-Way
Committee. Our mission is to review and make recommendations to the Board
of Selectmen or County Commissioners regarding any and all issues concerning
public and private roads, right-of-ways, abutter's ways, footpaths, and public
ways.
This has been a busy year for the Roads and ROW Committee with progress on
several outstanding issues. The taking of Washing Pond Road was completed
by the County Commissioners upon recommendation of our committee, from Cliff
Road to the low water line between Land Bank and Nantucket Conservation
Foundation north shore beach properties guaranteeing public access to this
family friendly beach just west of Town. Tennessee Avenue in Madaket along
with certain cross streets including the K Street footpath to public property on
Hither Creek was also taken as a County Road. Survey and legal work for this
taking was made possible by the Land Bank.
A footpath was finally cut to the Founder's Burial Ground off Cliff Road, courtesy
of the Land Bank. The path originates on Land Bank property and crosses
Angler's Club property to pick up the public way bounded by 200 Cliff Road to the
Burial Ground markers near the northeast corner of the ten-acre hilltop site. An
easement agreement with the Angler's Club is in process. The Roads and ROW
Committee was instrumental in bringing the diverse interests together to solve a
complex and long standing access issue to this historic burial ground.
Other projects and issues currently before the committee include laying out East
Creek Road from Orange Street to Spruce Street across Town owned land,
laying out a footpath from Eel Point Road near Ranger Road to Dionis Beach,
clearing obstructions and encroachments from Spruce Street and Coal Alley,
laying out a footpath along Miller Lane from Old South Road to Macy's Lane,
updating the Priority Road Taking List, assisting the Town with negotiations
regarding public access along the Sconset Bluff, exploring public access in the
Mill Hill area, working with the Town and County to develop and further the One
Big Beach Program, and developing a Right-of-Way Improvement Plan to be
presented to the Board of Selectmen/County Commissioners in the spring of
2008.
The Committee also requested the DPW clear brush from public ways on West
Chester Street from Crooked Lane to Wannacomet Avenue, from Crooked Lane
between Madaket Road and Dukes Road, and from Cathcart Road in Monomy
leading to Land Bank property on Nantucket Harbor. We are following
complaints of encroachments on Coal Alley between Main and Cambridge
Streets, and we are working with abutters on Smooth Hummocks Road to
upgrade the condition of this private road.
The Right-of-Way Improvement Plan now under development by the committee
contains 15 objectives and recommendations, which will be presented to the
BOS/CC once the plan has been written.
Respectfully submitted,
Allen B. Reinhard, Chairman
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