HomeMy WebLinkAbout2012-10-16Town and County of Nantucket
COMMITTEE ON ROADS AND RIGHT OF WAY
Meeting of 16 October 2012
4:00 pm in the Training Room of 2 Fairgrounds Road
FINAL AND APPROVED MINUTES y a
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1. Call to Order, Agenda, Approval of Minutes c n m
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A. Chair Allen Reinhard called the meeting to order at 4:00 pm. in attefiilattf? �
were D. Anne Atherton (left at 4:25 pm), Nat Lowell, Sylvie O'Donnell, Allen lZ rn
Bert Ryder, Lee Saperstein, and John Stackpole; Joe Marcklinger was unable to mWn
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Guest: Brian Sullivan (left at 4:40 pm).
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There were no changes to the published agenda.
B. The acceptance of the minutes from September 18, 2012, was moved by John
Stackpole and seconded by D. Anne Atherton and approved unanimously.
2. Subcommittee report on meeting with Andrew Vorce and Mike Bums re: Prospect St.
sidewalk, and bike path projects.
D. Anne Atherton gave the report. She said that the meeting covered two of our
Committee's major priorities and that she would attempt to summarize the information
for us. The Prospect Street connector has become more significant to the Town's
planners because of the contraction of the Hummock Pond Path, which will add more
foot and bicycle traffic to already crowded and narrow streets. The planners have drawn
up plans and estimated costs for both projects: sidewalk improvements along Prospect
Street and a bike route that connects the existing multi-use path at Mill Hill Park with the
two south -shore bike paths. They do not see the sidewalk improvement and the bike
route around the Quaker Cemetery as an either /or choice but as complements to each
other. These suggested improvements to sidewalks and footpaths will be submitted to the
Capital Program Committee for review at 9:45 am on October 25th in the PSF Training
Room. It should be noted, based on a review of previous Minutes, that the Committee
has voted previously in favor of supporting this plan to the Board of Selectmen: on July
20, 2010, the Committee recommended Option 2, of the four presented to the Committee
by Mike Bums, Transportation Planner, to the Board of Selectmen. This option is similar
to the one to be presented to the Capital Program Committee. This set of paths and
sidewalks was discussed in our Committee more recently on February 15, 2011, August
16, 2011, when the Committee reaffirmed its interest in this bike route, and March 15,
2011. On March 20, 2012, it was reported by Chair Reinhard that a formal request for
funding of this bike route had been sent to the Board of Selectmen. Copies of the current
plan and of an implementation strategy are attached to these minutes.
She then reported that the In -Town bike path (Washington Street etc.) is also very much
in play. This is to provide a link between Town and the Milestone, Old South, and Polpis
Roads bike paths. When Andrew Vorce visited with the Committee (August, 18, 2009;
October 10, 2009) he stated that the right of way belonged to the Town and that design
work was underway. At some point, these plans were shared with the Committee but the
Secretary cannot locate the exact time. The planners, she related, see two viable routes;
one along Town-controlled properties and roads, which is the one discussed earlier, and
the other, more scenic one, along the harbor. The on -road branch will go from the end of
Washington Street, along the historic railroad bed to Goose Pond Lane, thence to Orange
Street with a possible bike lane on both sides of Orange. Designs exist for this option and
they include construction of bike lanes along Orange Street, which, given space available,
will be narrower than desired (4'). Orange is wider south of East Creek Road on its way
to the Rotary. Another, second path is considered for the water front (scenic route),
which would proceed from the end of the railroad bed to the water; a public way exists
between the end of Spruce Street and East Creek Road; also the Nantucket Land Bank
has a commitment of land along the harbor but closer to the Rotary. In between these
sections, there are, however, a number of private properties. Andrew Vome thought that
both choices should be pursued. The scenic route has many barriers: the Town does not
control all lands to be crossed and approval of the Conservation Commission will be
needed. Perhaps an environmentally friendly design could be drafted as a straw man.
Chair Reinhard suggested that the "scenic" or "harbor walk" alternative may be a longer -
range plan. D. Anne Atherton suggested that the Committee be an advocate for both
versions of the in -Town path.
She then introduced Brian Sullivan, who has worked hard in support of the Hummock
Pond bike path. He reported that major and well publicized public concerns for road
safety had swung public opinion in favor of quick construction of this path. This concern
was a very positive factor in obtaining interest by the three homeowner associations
along the proposed path. The story of the young girl who gave her lemonade earnings for
the path really stirred local interest. Because local, not State, money will be used for the
contract, the project will move faster than if there had been State oversight. Social media
were used to keep the public informed of progress. Mr. Sullivan spoke about rules for
using CPC funds for a walking path, which might be a route for the Committee to pursue
for the proposed bike paths and routes. Nat Lowell spoke about project speed — time to
completion — and some of the State barriers to swiftness. He spoke about the Orange St
route being part of the Town's State- approved Transportation Implementation Plan (TIP),
which will require State - mandated designs and oversight whereas the scenic route might
be done entirely by the Town with less complexity. Since homeowner associations were
helpful to Hummock Pond, we should be able to use the mid -Island business owners as a
proponent. Connections to Milestone and Old South Road paths may mean that the
further mid -Island and south shore homeowner associations could also become
proponents.
3. Town encroachment policy update.
Bert Ryder gave a brief update on our progress in suggesting an update to the Town's
Encroachment Policy. He and Joe Marcklinger had looked over the Town Manager's
comments; see last month's Minutes. Leaving out editorial comments, she was most
concerned about responsible management and the locus of enforcement. We do not yet
have answers. Nat Lowell spoke about his experience with the Sidewalk Advisory
committee and the realization that most enforcement examples have to be dealt with
individually. The original request for an updated policy came from the Town Manager
because there are problems with enforcing the existing version. Letters to landowners are
ignored because there is no enforcement policy. DPW can cut brush but they may not
fine owners, for example. Bert Ryder suggested that new construction is less of an issue
because the Building Department can add encroachments to the check list for Certificates
of Occupancy. Allen Reinhard says that Kara Buzanoski, DPW Director, has gone
through the draft and may have added comments but has not yet responded formally.
Planning and Land Use Services, PLUS, has also not yet responded formally. Bert Ryder
says that the Town Manager wants enforcement to be in the hands of an appropriate
department and not in her office. Joe Marcklinger has sent a message to Allen suggesting
that all comments soon will be incorporated into a revised version that we can forward to
BOS for thew review and adoption.
4. Streets and Sidewalks Committee downtown work plan.
The Streets and Sidewalks Advisory Committee will meet this Thursday, October 18', at
4:00 pm (in the DPW conference room) to come up with final recommendations and
potential costs for post- construction street repairs for inclusion in the Phase IIB sewer
contracts. Allen Reinhard has already shared draft minutes with photos with us; final
versions have been approved and copies should be on committee web site soon. Once
approved, work will be done this winter. When the work has been done, we should do a
view of it to see if there are other sites, outside of the sewer project, that could benefit
from renovation. [ACTION: Add street viewings to the list of future projects]
5. Open Space Plan update
Allen Reinhard reported that he had received a new e-mail from Nick Holland, GIS
coordinator and land planner with the consultants that are preparing the update to the
Town's Open Space Plan. Mr. Holland has met with the Conservation Commission and
other public land managers to learn about their plans and intentions. John Stackpole
asked about completion date for the revised plan; Allen Reinhard believes that it will be
by end of the year. From what he has learned about it, he is very hopeful that this will be
a very useful project.
6. Old, new and other business
Lee Saperstein reported on his investigations into identifying the specific railroad bed
locations with an eye to creating historic walking trails. He spoke of the need to create a
platted map correlating road bed to current land ownership. Mapping and surveying
assistance from Joe Marcklinger might be needed. Allen Reinhard spoke about the wish
of the Nantucket Conservation Foundation to create fire breaks on its lands; the railroad
bed, particularly where it was raised, would be a good adjunct to this project. Lee
Saperstein said that once a map is in place, the next step would be to talk with
landowners and managers about their interest in the project.
7. Adjournment was suggested by Chair Reinhard at 5:05 pm and the group concurred
Next meeting: November 20, 2012, 2 Fairgrounds Road training room.
Town of Nantucket
Proposed FY2014 Capital Protect
Proiect Title: Prospect Hill Bike / Pedestrian Improvements
Department: Planning Office Contact Person: Mike Burns
Department Priority: Low Medium High
Funding Amount Requested: $ 1,344 382.00 For Fiscal Year(s): 2014
Funding Source(s): General Fund State Grant
Enterprise Fund Other (please explain):
Project Description including location and source of cost estimate:
Prospect Hill Bike and Pedestrian Improvements _
FY 2014 Capital Request
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This project is composed of four individual improvements that collectively improve access for bicyclists and
pedestrians between the Hummock Pond Road, Madaket Road, and Pfosp t Street paths. The individual
improvements are:
Please electronically submit all of your capital project information no later than August 8, 2012
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• Town of Nantucket
Proposed FY2014 Capital Project
1. Mill Hill Path
This 941 foot long path would link the existing shared use path along Prospect Street at North Mill Street to
Joy Street via a separate 8 foot wide path within the layout of, but separated by a vegetated buffer from, MIU
HIII Lane. This path would connect to an street bike route, along Mt. Vernon Street and Joy Street, and
eventually to a wide sidewalk along Milk Street and Hummak Pond Road.
2. Prospect Hill Sidewalk
This sidewalk was originally part of the Hummock Pond Road bike path, but is a better fit as part of this
system of improvements. This 8 foot wide sidewalk would be separated from the roadway by a granite cob
and would w aligned along the east side of Milk $Vnt from the intersection of Mt Vernon Street W the
intersection of Hummak Pond Road. The sidewalk would then non along the north side of Hummock Pond
Road from the intersection of Milk Street to the intersection Joy Street and the existing sidewalk along Vesper
Ian. This sidewalk would provide an adequate area for bicyclist and pedestrian traveling to /from Madaket
and Cisco and help keep these users out of these busy roadways.
3. Winn Street at Milk Street
Including this intersection as part of a preferred bicycle /pedestrian link between the Prospect Street Path and
the Madaket Road path would require significant sightlin improvements to address existing safety issues. The
current sight distance from the intersection of Winn Street to both approaches of Milk Street is substandard
and needs to he increased at least W 200 feet fa the east approach of Milk Street. To make this
improvement. a portion of a parcel laated at 53 Milk Street will need to be acquired for roadway purposes
and the landscaping that is obstructing visibility from the intersection will need to he relocated. The visibility
improvement would be a minimum requirement it bike and pedestrian traffic is to be encouraged to use Winn
Street as an alternative to other roadways in the area.
4. Winn Stroet Impravemant
To complete a link from Madakeft Road to the proposed Milk Street sidewalk the section of Winn Street
between Milk Street and Vestal Street (a public section) will need to be improved by widening, paving, am
incluling drainage Improvement within the layout of the roadvvay. The second section of Winn Street
between Vestal Street and Madaket Road is already an improved roadway, but is privately owned and will
need to be acquired as a public way.
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Press" Street I Qualkilha, Sidewalk to VesGTSF,.T
For pedestrian access along Prospat Street this project will also provide a 5-foot wide brick sidewalk along
the south side of Prospect Street between the end of the existing path along and Horse Valley (at 29 Prospect
Street) and Vestal Street. The cost of this sidewalk should be lew since this work consists of totaling gaps in
the existing brick sidewalk and adding curbing where there are also gaps.
6. ] S. Other Improvements
Other improvements included right of way acquisition casts, signage, and pavement marking items, including
bike rage improvements along Ml Vernon Street, Wlnn Street, and Joy Street.
Cost Estimate -
1. 941' Mitt HIII Path ($180 /f) - $169,380.00
2. 4,060' Prospect HIII Sidewalk ($168 /R) - $682,252.00
3. Winn St se Milk St Sightline Improvements Handscapirg) - 510,000
4. 800' Winn St Road Improvements ($250/ft) - $200,000.00
5. 1,350' Prospect St I Quaker Rd Sidewalk - $230,500
6. 21 Bike Route Stencils /Crosswalks ($250 1location) $5,250.00
2. 8 Bike Route Sign 15250 /taOHOn) - $2,OOo.00
8. ROW Acquisition Costs (roadway, sidewalk, and sightlin area acgufsithsn) - $45,000.00
TOTAL - $7,344,382.00
Please electronically submit ail of your capital Project information ton later than August 8, 2012
• Town of Nantucket
Proposed FY20 14 Capital Project
Is the request for a new structure or equipment?
No.
If the request Is for replacement or renovation please explain the need.
ale
Provide cost changes (if any) that will /could result from this request i.e. Increase or
decrease maintenance costs, utfli ies, personnel etc.
This project would add almost one mile of new path / sidewalk and approximately 1,200 feet of roadway that
would need to be part of the DPW maintenance program.
Provide an estimate of revenues (if applicable) gained by this expenditure. Example: Artificial
turf field would enable field rental and lower the ground maintenance costs. Include the
estimated number of years to pay back this expenditure.
The project would not provide any direct revenues to the Tam, but it would expand and make critical
linkages within the island's bike and Pedestrian network, which is mdely advertised by the Chamber of
Commerce and a number of island businesses to attract visitors.
If relevant, provide any other justification for the project or equipment.
This protect would provide a critical link between the h adaket Read bike path and the Prospect Street par,
and would ensure that a dedicated bike or pedestrian facility would exist linking from the west end of the
island to the east end.
Please electronically submit all of your capital project information no later than August 8, 2012
NANTUCKET
Downtown
Biking Initiatives
Caroline Tara Frey
Summer 2012
Overview of the Process
All of the currently phased sections of the In -Town Bike Path were originally submitted
as a whole to the Project Review Committee (PRC), which is part of the Massachusetts
Department of Transportation (MassDOT). It was rejected by the PRC, so the Town then
split it into three current phases. Phase I stretches from Spruce Street, through the
wetlands to the beginning of the Washington Street Extension. Phase 2 stretches from the
Rotary along Orange Street and Phase 3 stretches from the Washington Street Extension
to the intersection of Washington Street and Commercial Street.
Phase 1 was approved and is now in the second stage of the project development process
- environmental study. Phases 2 and 3 will likely be resubmitted at some point in the
future. (Please see "Steps for ITBP — Phases 2 and 3" for more information.)
Phase 1 has been assigned a project manager, Shawn Holland, who works for the
MassDOT in Boston. He is overseeing the review of the 25% (or preliminary) design
plans, and will work with the Town and the design consultant (Vanasse Hangen Brasilia,
Inc.) as the project moves through the process.
These will be a public hearing sanctioned by MassDOT on Nantucket once all MassDOT
comments are collected. After that, the permitting and right of way acquisitions can
begin. This process may take up to two years.
The public hearing for Phase 1 is likely to be scheduled for fall of 2012. The construction
contract could be awarded as early as December 2014 and construction completed by
summer of 2015 depending on the time necessary to acquire all the environmental
permitting and right of way easements.
Necessary Steps for the Completion of the In -Town Bike Path
1. Planning Study (recommendations) [COMPLETED]
a. The Town hires a consultant (Greenman- Pederson, htc.) to provide an
evaluation of existing and expected transportation issues
b. A set of alternatives is developed and screened based on a set of
evaluation criteria established through public outreach
c. The consultant gives several recommendations
d. Then the project goes through the project initiation process
i. Town must contact the MassDOT District 5 office and submit a
Project Needs Form (PNF) to begin the initiation process
ii. Assuming the district and community agree on the merits of the
bike path, the district submits a Project Initiation Form (PIT) to
MassDOT's Project Review Committee (PRC) for a determination
of funding eligibility and project feasibility
1. The project was submitted as a whole, but it was rejected,
so it was split into phases
2. Phase 1 was resubmitted and it was approved
3. Phases 2 and 3 may he resubmitted
iii. Once approved by the PRC, the project is entered into MassDOT's
internal project information system (Projectinfo) and assigned to a
project manager
1. The ITBP project manager for Phase 1 is Shawn Holland
2. He will work with the Town and design consultant
(Vanasse Hangen Brustlin Inc.) to shepherd them through
the entire process
3. VHB is responsible for all the designs
2. Environmental Study (preliminary design) [WINTER 2011 -FALL 20121
a. Project must avoid, minimize, and/or mitigate impacts on environmental,
cultural, and historical resources
b. Recommendations of Planning Study are brought through to the necessary
permitting processes
L Permits may be required at local, state and/or federal level
ii. This stage determines which permits are necessary
iii. Usually must satisfy permitting processes of Massachusetts
Environmental Protection Act (MEPA) and National
Environmental Protection Act (MEPA), the Army Corps of
Engineers and the Conservation Commission
iv. Some permits can take 6 months to 2 years to obtain
c. Right of Way (ROW) acquisitions are determined
d. The output of Environmental Study is a preliminary design for the bike
path (called the 25% design)
i. The 25% design must be submitted and advanced following a
public hearing
ii. MassDOT will issue comments on the environmental
impact/pertits, ROW acquisitions and District 5 — called the 25%
review
iii. These comments are used to create a 75% design
e. After approval of the 25% design, all permits and right of way acquisitions
must be completed — this can take up to about two years
3. Funding Process (Metropolitan Planning Organization)
a. The project can be programmed after the 25% design is approved
b. The project proponent (the Town) must identify funding with the
appropriate MPO (here it is the NP &EDC)
c. Funding can be obtained on a local, state and/or federal level
d. Funding may be obtained from federal or state grant programs — possible,
but unlikely for this bike path
e. Most or all of the funding will likely come from the Transportation
Improvement Program (TIP)
i. TIP usually provides the Town of Nantucket with roughly
$300,000 per year
ii. The Town will likely utilize three years of TIP funding (known as
advance construction or A/C) for the bike path — this will
contribute to the bike path's total estimated cost of $975,000
4. Final Design (full design) [SPRING /SUMMER 2014]
a. Once the funding, ROW acquisitions and permits are acquired, the final
design must be developed
b. The 75% design and its comments are used to create a 100% design, also
known as a 100% design — all permits and ROW must be acquired prior to
advancement to 100% design
c. VHE most then prepare plans, specifications and estimates (PS &E) to be
submitted for review and approval to the appropriate MassDOT division —
MassDOT District 5
5. Implementation [SUMMER 2014 -FALL 20151
a. Project is advertised for bidding
i. MassDOT advertises the project for 90 days
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ii. At this point, MassDOT District 5 coordinates the construction
through the project's completion
b. Construction contract is awarded to the lowest bid
c. Bike path is constructed under the supervision of the appropriate
MassDOT division — MassDOT District 5
Milestones:
• Approval by the project initiation process
• Submission and approval of 25% design plans
• Public hearing on the 25% design plan
• Submission and approval of the 75% design plans
Submission and approval of the 1000/a design plans
• Preparation of the plans, specifications and estimates (PS &E)
• Project is advertised for bidding
• The contract is awarded
• Construction begins
• Construction is completed
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Rough Timeline of the Process
October 2012
25% design approved
End of 2012
Permitting begins
January 2015
ROW acquisitions begin
Fall 2012 to Spring 2014
Permitting review
Fall 2015
ROW awards
100% design completed
PSE completed
June 2014
Submission of the Final Design/100% design
Submission of PSE
September 2014
Begin advertising for bids (90 day period)
December 2014
Contract awarded
January 2015
Construction begins
Summer 2015
Will have a usable path in place for the summer season
Fall 2015
In -Town Bike Path officially completed
NB: all times are best possible estimates — project will likely not conform to these dates
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