HomeMy WebLinkAbout2006-05-17
ROADS and RIGHT ofW A Y COMMITTEE
MINUTES
MAY 17,2006
The meeting was called to order at 4:00 p.m. in the Selectmen's conference room by
Allen Reinhard with members Nat Lowell, Charles Sayle III, Harvey Young, Don Vi~,
and Sylvie O'Donnell present. C:.. co
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The minutes from the March 29, 2006 meeting were approved as submitted:
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There followed a discussion of progress on road takings to come before th~ County ::t::>
Commissioners next Wednesday, May 25. A viewing at Tennessee Avenue will ~
place at 10:00 a.m. on the 25th. All members are invited to attend. (Note: this vie~g
was changed to 3 :00 p.m. so Selectmen could attend an off island funeral in the morning.)
Washing Pond Road is still waiting for additional assents from property owners, so the
vote will be postponed until all signatures have been received. The final layout must be
filed within 30 days of the vote. The layout cannot be filed without all the signatures.
The Planning Director will continue to secure signatures. The Planning Board will
review the plan at its May 22, 2006 meeting.
Miller Lane neighbors have submitted a plan for using this six acre property. The paved
section of the road from Macy Lane to just past Little Isle Lane would be laid out as a
road, a walking path would connect the road layout to Old South Road and a lot would be
created on Old South Road for use as affordable housing. The plan will be presented to
the County Commissioners on the 25th.
Indian A venue/ Steps Beach is ready for a final vote. An agreement has been reached
for a license agreement between the County and the abutters allowing the Zubrows to
maintain a part of the way.
Spruce Street is still waiting for the Land Court to approve the subdivision with the
Langs, and until that is done, the parcel transfers and cross easements voted at Town
Meeting and agreed to by the Town and the Langs cannot go forward. Once Land Court
approval is granted, there is a permit in place to clear the debris from the ROWand for
the Langs to rebuild a fence on their property.
The next hour or so was spent examining maps from the Town's GIS department
showing public and private roads. After close examination, we determined that the maps
were accurate and could be used for our ROW Improvement Plan. We looked at private
roads that receive substantial public use for possible inclusion on a future updated takings
list. We discussed the status and state of many of the old private and proprietors roads.
The Right of Way Improvement Plan was discussed. Chairman Reinhard said he had
checked with the Town Administration and found there was no money available to help
with research and development of the Plan. It was felt that if funding could not be found,
the committee could undertake some of the necessary research. The key question
remains, what do we want to recommend as improvements to right of ways as they exist
on Nantucket today? We have discussed setting concrete bounds with the County Seal on
known public right of ways and marking Public Ways with similar concrete bounds. One
key section is the recommendation concerning a system of walking paths linking public
property on the island. If nothing else, our plan should clarify which roads are public and
which are private, and give a summary of how our roads, and system of rights of way
came about and the public's rights and responsibilities regarding their use. A draft of the
plan should be developed by fall with specific recommendations for the County
Commissioners to consider.
The Old Settlers Burial Ground was discussed regarding opening the twenty foot way
from Cliff Road to the cemetery. It was voted to have the chairman contact the Town
Administrator and Jeff Willett at the DPW to see what needs to happen to enable the
DPW to open this way, which is the only legal access to this historic site. Currently,
there is no public access to this site, and no legal way for the Nantucket Historical
Association to gain access in order to maintain the site.
Bacus Lane/First Way was discussed. Andrew Vorce is drafting a letter to the County
Commissioners suggesting the accept the offer from Nantucket Ice of two lots for the
improvement of this heavily used private way.
The improper taking ofWauwinet Road was also mentioned. The committee will
follow up and see what needs to be done to correct this road layout so we can make a
recommendation.
The meeting was adjourned at 5:42 p.m.
Respectfully submitted: Allen Reinhard, acting secretary
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ROADS and RIGHT OF WAY COMMITTEE
AGENDA
May 17,2006
1. Approval of Minutes from March 29,2006
2. Update of progress on road takings (Tennessee Ave., Washing Pond Road, Indian
Ave., Miller Lane)
3. Spruce Street
4. Review of County GIS Road and Rutted Ways map to see if we can determine
which ways are public, which are private, and which are of undetermined status
5. ROW Improvement Plan update
6. Other business: Old Settlers Burial Ground
7. Adjourn
Reminder: Applications for committee assignments are due today (5/17).