HomeMy WebLinkAbout2007-06-19
ROADS & RIGHT OF WAY COMMITTEE
Ar.l~ \O\!~ fo? M. ,
'1" r..-ile.).
~ MINUTES
June 19, 2007
Call To Order. Chairman Reinhard called a meeting of the Roads & Right-of-Way
Committee to order at 4:00 p.m. at 2 Fairgrounds Road. Members Donald Visco, Harvey
Young, Sylvie O'Donnell, Nat Lowell and Allen Reinhard, and guest member D. Anne
Atherton were present. Andrew Vorce joined the meeting at 4:34. g
-j
c
Minutes. The minutes from April 17, 2007 were approved as submitted.
:3:
:=
-<
-
Update of Priority County Road Acquisition List. The committee revi~wed the stttus
of the so-called Priority Takings List of private roads. The list which was voted at ~
last meeting on April 19, was accepted by the Board of Selectmen on June 6, 2007, ~
the understanding that our committee has prioritized the list, but realizes that takingS">
occur on an opportune basis when circumstances or finances present themselves. Our
committee recommends that money be set aside by the County on an annual basis to
finance the survey work and title work necessary to accomplish these takings for the
public benefit. Public use, roads connecting two public roads, the condition of the roads
with regard to fire, ambulance and other public safety access issues, requests from
abutting property owners, and access to other property open to the public such as Land
Bank properties are considered when our committee decides which private roads should
be made public. Andrew Vorce joined the meeting at this point.
Discussion moved to consideration an Update of continuing issues before the
committee. The chairman then reviewed the status of Road and right-of-way issues
before the committee and currently under way.
The Sconset Beach nourishment plan is now before the Conservation Commission.
Plan proponents have withdrawn their application to begin work this summer, allowing
the Town time to learn more about the effect this project may have on island shores.
Public access, right-of-way and one big beach management issues are being negotiated
between the proponents and the Town.
Founder's Burial Ground off Cliff Road now has clear access over a path from Land
Bank property on Cliff Road through Angler's Club property to the public way on the
Glazier and Dorge properties to the marker site courtesy of the Land Bank. The goal of
having a clear, easily walk able public access path to this historic burial ground is at
hand. All that remains is the easement agreement across Angler's Club property to the
public way on the Glazier property at 200 Cliff Road to settle this public access problem
in perpetuity.
Coal Alley Encroachments. The chairman noted complaints about encroachments such
as a dumpster, various bump outs and stairs, and grease barrels along Coal Alley between
Main and Cambridge Streets. Coal Alley is a public way and a dumpster and other
encroachments are not permitted. After discussion by the committee, it was decided that
the chairman would contact owners of the abutting properties to see if these
encroachments can be remedied informally and he will report his findings to the
committee at its next meeting.
Washing Pond Road takings. These voluntary takings from Cliff Road to the low water
line at Nantucket Harbor, providing public access to north shore beaches owned by the
Nantucket Conservation Foundation and the Land Bank were completed and filed in a
timely manner and Washing Pond Road is now a public road.
East Creek Road will not be receiving the drainage system originally planned for lower
Orange Street according to the DPW. Andrew Vorce has received and estimates for
survey work to layout this way for $20,000. Where this money for survey work will
come from in unclear. A Town surveyor/engineer could expedite the layout of this public
way to the creeks.
Eel Point Road to Dionis Beach Public Access. The chairman has asked the head of the
Eel Point Road Association whether they would be agreeable to a voluntary taking of Eel
Point Road. No reply has been received. Andrew Vorce is working on a plan for the
layout of a public way from Dionis Beach to Eel Point Road opposite Ranger Road
across public land. Completion ofthis path will link Nantucket's north shore through the
Land Bank's Trott's Hills properties and on to the south shore. This public pathway
system is an important part of the committee's Right of Way Improvement Plan.
Spruce Street. The case between the Town and the Lang's has been settled and is now
waiting for the Land Court to file its final decision. We are all anxious for this five-year
public access case to be resolved so to reopen this view of the creeks to the public.
Mill Hill Lane. A neighbor in this area has volunteered to research the legal status of
streets and ways in the Mill Hill area so the committee can determine the status and need
for rights of way.
Surfside Takings Update. Negotiations are still going on with neighbors in the Surfside
Area. Doug Unruh, the Town's One Big Beach coordinator, is optimistic that a
memorandum of understanding leading to an agreement with some owners is within
reach. The committee will continue to monitor the situation.
Miller Lane. The Housing Office has contacted the Board of Selectmen and has offered
to contribute toward survey expenses for the layout of a way and space for the housing
office and staff. The layout and survey for the way the committee recommended be laid
out in the eighty-foot right-of-way has not been started. This area would make an
excellent park and would provide public access to Daffodil Lane and the surrounding
neighborhood.
Next, we reviewed the Right-of-Way Improvement Plan being developed by the
committee. After consideration of the 15 items identified by the committee it was felt the
2
last four items on the list should be changed to recommendations to create rather than
directing to create, remembering we are and advisory committee. Discussion centered on
the items included in the objectives and recommendations list and how the work of
developing the plans' various parts might be accomplished. It was suggested that a
time line and capital plan be developed identifying the cost of each element of the plan
and when it might be reasonably implemented. A target date of January 2008 was
considered for having a finished draft of the plan ready for public presentation prior to
Town Meeting.
Next Meeting. The committee decided to meet next on Tuesday, July 17, at 4:00. This
will be the annual reorganization meeting at which we will elect officers for the coming
fiscal year.
Adjourn. The meeting was adjourned at 6:20 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
secretary
~~
3
ROADS & RIGHT OF WAY COMMITTEE
AGENDA
June 19,2007
1. Approval of minutes from April 17, 2007 (copy attached)
2. Update of Priority Takings List approved by Selectmen June 6, 2007
3. Right-of-Way Improvement Plan:
A. Review objectives and recommendations (list attached)
B. Discussion of work to be done for each section of the plan
C. Form of final plan and how presented
D. Timeline and plan for development of each section
4. Discussion of outstanding items
A. Sconset beach re-nourishment plan
B. Old Settlers Burial Ground (Founder's Cemetery)
C. Coal Alley encroachments
D. Washing Pond Road takings complete
E. East Creek Road status
F. Eel Point road and public access
G. Spruce Street
H. Mill Hill Lane
5. Surfside update and discussion
6. Miller Lane Discussion
7. Other business
8. Adjourn