HomeMy WebLinkAbout2007-04-17
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ROADS & RIGHT OF WAY COMMITTEE
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April 17,2007
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Call To Order. Chairman Reinhard called a meeting of the Roads & Right-of-Way
Committee to order at 4:00 p.m. in the Land Bank conference room at 22 Broad Street.
Members Donald Visco, Sylvie O'Donnell, Charles Sayle III, John Stackpole, Allen
Reinhard and transportation planner Michael Burns were present. g
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Minutes. The minutes from October 20, 2006 were approved as submittear
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Update of Priority County Road Acquisition List. Review of the status of the so-';::"
called Priority Takings List of private roads our committee recommends be made C<@1ty
public roads. The list was last updated and approved in January 2006. Transportati~
Planner Michael Bums shared plans for a bike path from Milestone Road across Latffil
Bank property past Strong Wings and The Nantucket New School to Macy's Lane
connecting to the new Old South Road bike path. He asked that Macy's Lane from
Hinsdale Road to Old South Road be added to our Priority Road Acquisition List. It was
moved and seconded to add Macy's Lane from Hinsdale Road to Old South Road to
our County Road Priority Acquisition List, and unanimously approved.
Next, we discussed the addition of East Creek Road also known as Way to the
Creeks to our list. Don Visco pointed out that the Town already owns the land so no
taking is involved, but a road layout is needed and this work needs to be done and
recorded to guarantee the public's right to pass and repass. The committee agreed to
have Andrew Vorce see what needs to be done to complete this project and make the
necessary recommendation.
Discussion moved to consideration of priorities for road acquisition by the county.
Our list indicates our committee's recommendation based on several factors. We
discussed which roads seemed to have the most public use, 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. On the basis of these issues, the Roads and ROW Committee voted
unanimously to recommend the priority list submitted as follows:
1. Millbrook Road (from Madaket Road to Hummock Pond Road)
2. Macy's Lane (from Hinsdale Road to Old South Road)
3. Boulevarde, Lovers Lane, Orkowaw Avenue, Monohansett Road, Clifford Street,
(between Surfside Road to public road at Macy's Lane near Airport)
4. Eel Point Road and Warren's Landing Road (private road sections)
5. Somerset Road and Friendship Lane (from Bartlett Road to Vesper Lane)
6. Cato Lane (from Bartlett Road to Vesper Lane)
7. Pocomo Road (from end of 1975 taking to Nantucket Harbor low water line)
8. Red Barn Road (from South Cambridge at Massasoit Bridge to Sheep Pond Road)
9. Smooth Hummocks Way
10. Squam Road
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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 and
under study by the Town's independent consultants. Andrew Vorce, Doug Unruh and
Chairman Reinhard met with the Town and advised on public access, right of way and
one big beach management issues. Negotiations, regulatory hearings and weather are all
under way as we carefully watch how this project develops. Public access and ROW
issues must be carefully followed.
Founder's Burial Ground off Cliff Road has not had clear access for over nine years.
Recently, a plan was created to address the access issue and create a public path from
Land Bank property on Cliff Road through Angler's Club property to the public way on
the Glazier and Dorge properties through the brush to the marker site. The committee
reviewed the lot plan and landscape plan provided by Peter Glazier. An estimate for a
stone path was reviewed, a bid of 36,750 for all necessary work including drainage and a
one year maintenance agreement. Several organizations have been asked to contribute.
So far, no commitments have been received. The Land Bank Commission has scheduled
a site visit for tomorrow (4/18) morning at 10:00 to assess the situation. The Cemetery
Commission Workgroup and the NHA Director spoke about the situation this morning.
The goal is to create a clearly defined path from Cliff Road to the marker stones by
June of this year.
Coal Alley Encroachments. The chairman noted encroachments such as a dumpster,
and various bump outs and stairs along Coal Alley between Main and Cambridge Streets.
The question was raised as to whether this is a public or private road. The chairman said
he would follow up with Andrew Vorce to determine whether this is a public or private
way, and if public, would come back to the committee for a vote to clear certain
encroachments.
Washing Pond Road takings. These voluntary takings are under way 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. The County
Commissioners will hold a public viewing at the site on Wednesday, April 25, as part of
the taking process.
Eel Point Road to Dionis Beach Public Access. 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 of this 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 chairman spoke with a neighbor who was wondering when the old
fence would be coming down now that the property case between the Town and the
Lang's had been settled in Land Court. He asked that the DPW be dispatched as soon as
possible before leaves came out to clear the Spruce Street right of way.
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. This is an important in-Town ROW project.
Surfside Takings Update. Negotiations are on going with neighbors in the Surfside
Area. Doug Unruh, the Town's One Big Beach coordinator, is optimistic that a
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memorandum of understanding leading to an agreement with some owners is within
reach. The committee will continue to monitor the situation.
Miller Lane. Nothing new to report here. This six-acre Town owned parcel remains
unused and encroached upon by neighbors on Daffodil Lane. The pathway the
committee recommended be laid out in the eighty foot way has not been started. Perhaps
the DPW could be asked to cut a path between Old South Road and the airport. This area
would make an excellent park and would provide public access to Daffodil Lane and the
surrounding neighborhood.
Road and ROW Spring Maintenance. The Committee Voted to contact the DPW of
the need to clear brush from the Right of Ways at West Chester Street from Wannacomet
to Crooked Lane. Crooked Lane from Madaket Road to Dukes Road. Cathcart Road.
Spruce Street, Charles Street and Polpis Harbor access.
Right of Way Improvement Plan. Progress has been slow because of other issues. So
far, we have some fifteen items or parts to our Plan. Brenda Hall has offered to do some
of the historical research pieces. A more realistic time schedule looks like our plan
should be ready to unveil sometime next winter before Town Meeting. It was suggested
that if parts of our plan need funding, we could draft a warrant article to present.
Adjourn. The meeting was adjourned at 5:35 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Allen Reinhard, acting secretary
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ROADS & RIGHT OF WAY COMMITTEE
AGENDA
April 17, 2007
1. Approval of minutes from October 20, 2006
2. Update of Priority Takings List
3. Discussion of items from January 24, 2007 Issues Update
A. Sconset beach re-nourishment plan
B. Old Settlers Burial Ground (Founder's Cemetery)
C. Coal Alley encroachments
D. Washing Pond Road takings
E. East Creek Road
F. Eel Point roads and public access
G. Spruce Street
H. Mill Hill Lane
4. Surfside Takings update and discussion
5. Miller Lane Discussion
6. Right-of-Way Improvement Plan
7. Other business
8. Adjourn