HomeMy WebLinkAbout2012-8-21Town and County of Nantucket
Committee on Roads and Right of Way
Meeting of 21 August 2012 z o
4:00 pm in the Training Room of 2 Fairgrounds Road Z
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FINAL AND APPROVED MINUTES �
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1. Call to Order, Agenda, Approval of Minutes
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A. Chair Allen Reinhard called the meeting to order at 4:00 pm. In atte"were D.
Anne Atherton (at 4:03 pm), Nat Lowell, Joe Marcklinger, Sylvie O'Donnell, Men Peinhard,
Bert Ryder, and Lee Saperstein; John Stackpole was unable to attend. -L
B. There were no changes proposed to the Agenda.
C. The Minutes of July 171' were approved unanimously; Nat Lowell moved approval
and Bert Ryder seconded. Chair Reinhard thanked the outgoing Secretary, D. Anne Atherton for
her five years of stalwart service.
D. Anne Atherton spoke of several things either in progress or to be done. She handed
distribution lists to the new Secretary and a map (a copy of one distributed at the park's
dedication) of Mill Hill park with a suggestion that the latter be scanned and put up on the web.
Allen thought that the Town Manager was going to do this with Town equipment but he would
check on this [ACTION ITEM].
2. Nantucket Open Space Plan update.
As part of the process for updating Nantucket's Open Space Plan (found on the Town's
web site under "Planning: Planning Publications Available; http: / /"w .nantucket-
ma eov /Paces /NantucketMA PlanninWforms /oocnspaceulaaodf% Allen Reinhard and Andrew
Voice along with Kara Buzanoski and Jeff Carlson met with the two bidders for the contract to
provide the update. Allen was impressed with the bid of Sue Brown and Juliet Walker,
Principals, and Nick Holland, Land Planner, who were selected. They were very familiar with
greenway walking paths and were looking forward to helping us with a Greenway, Plana Holland
wants to meet with major land holders, such as the Nantucket Conservation Foundation and the
Land Bank. Brown and Walker intend to have a first draft ready by late fall or, at the latest,
early winter.
It was stated that they will be looking at identifying systems of trails, including potential
linkages, but will also look for opportunities for acquiring open -space lands. Bert Ryder asked if
these trails would be contiguously linked. Allen Reinhard replied that this was one of the goals:
where linkages exist they will be identified and where they do not suggestions for acquisitions
and easements will be made. Madaket, for example, presents some problems in tying into
existing trail systems; also trails to Surfside will need some detours to connect. The Boy Scout
Camp is on Civic League property and could help in these linkages. According to D. Anne
Atherton, the Civic League owns the camp and the Boy Scouts have an easement that remains
valid as long as they use it. Gaining open access may be complicated.
D. Anne Atherton asked if it would be appropriate to have a news release when the bid is
accepted and the contract awarded. Allen Reinhard replied that a news release is a good idea but
may be premature, i.e. we might want to wait until they have some results to share with the
public.
3. BOS Streets and Sidewalks Committee reprise
The former Advisory Committee on Streets and Sidewalks has been revived by the Board
of Selectmen; the committee membership remains as it was in 2009 (httn://nantucket-
ma eov /Paees/NantucketMA BComm/streetsidewalks). Nat Lowell and Allen Reinhard are on
the committee as is former ROW member Harvey Young. They have been meeting Thursdays at
4:00 pm for meetings and inspection walks. The next and last walk will be this Thursday,
August 23, beginning at the little parklet across Gay Street from the Jared Coffin House. They
have completed two previous walkabouts since they were authorized by the Board of Selectmen.
Streets to be affected are those to be disturbed for sewer construction under Phase 1111 of the
sewer replacement project: Academy Lane, Ash Lane, Ash Street, Broad Street, Chestnut and
East Chestnut Streets, Fair Street, Gay Street, Hussey Street, India Street, Quince Street, Water
Street North and South, Westminster Street, and Whalers Lane. Nat Lowell explained that the
committee is looking at things well beyond sewer construction. Jack Gardner has pointed out all
sorts for opportunities for using old material to reconstruct crossings and curbs. This is an
opportunity for fresh looks at individual problems. Nat Lowell was very complimentary of the
DPW's Director's interest in the project.
Chair Reinhard suggested that there is a segue into our next agenda item in that sidewalks
and encroachments are related. The sidewalk survey will help us to extend improvement
suggestions into other parts of town.
4. Town encroachment policy update and no parking lines in the core district.
Selectman Bruce Miller's interest in downtown parking caused Joe Marcklinger to look
at yellow, no- parking lines and sidewalk "hitching" and other posts that have been placed,
probably as an encroachment, to prevent people from parking on sidewalks. Joe has re- measured
"back -up" stripes (opposite the driveway) on India Street and found 24 spaces instead of 19.
India represents a good example of the conflicts between sidewalks, parking, and encroachments.
There was some discussion on potential solutions. India St is also an example of why we cannot
have a single policy for all streets but need a flexible approach that follows accepted guidelines.
Allen Reinhard announced that we are still awaiting input from the Department of Public
Works and the Building Department on our committee's proposed encroachment policy. Once
we get their comments, we can look at the policy again in light of additional information coming
from the Streets and Sidewalks Advisory Committee. He stated that there may be a warrant
article from the Historic District Commission addressing all visible structures and appurtenances;
this article may have come from Martin Lane issues. An article in the Inquirer and Mirror of
Thursday, August 23, 2012, confirms this announcement.
Nat Lowell asked how can we assure that recommendations for encroachment
remediation represent consensus and not the opinion of one person, i.e. an enforcement official.
Allen Reinhard suggested that we are looking for a policy that is good for Nantucket but that
remains enforceable. Sylvie O'Donnell asked if our Committee should become the review
committee. Coincidentally the Town is trimming hedges that obscure sight lines such as on
Prospect and Quaker Streets. Allen Reinhard hopes that we will be able to provide a
recommendation to the Board of Selectmen by next month.
5. Old, new and other business.
D. Anne Atherton reminded the Committee that the Projects list from Minutes of July
17th, which is a summation of issues that the Committee have underway or would like to
undertake, represents an agenda for future activities; the list is attached to these Minutes. She
has color coded items of a similar nature in the hopes that they would be adopted by
subcommittees. She and Allen Reinhard asked Committee members to review the list with an
eye to joining a subcommittee. Examples, in addition to the open -space plan update mentioned
above, that were discussed are listed.
• In -Town access to existing Bike paths: First Way; end of Prospect Street bike path to
Vestal Street sidewalk; Prospect Street connector to Hummock Road and Madaket Road bike
paths.
Harbor Walks and paths: Complete path from Washington Street to Rotary; Spruce Creek
viewing platform and raised walkway to East Creek Road; East Creek Road layout.
• Historic Railroad bed: Identify portions of the road bed that are publicly accessible lands;
coordinate with land owners (Nantucket Conservation Foundation, Land Bank, Town of
Nantucket, etc.) for clearance of brush and use of an identification sign. Allen Reinhard stated
that the NCF is strongly interested in creating fire breaks on their lands and that the raised
railroad bed would be a natural candidate for such a break.
Other considerations arose based on the above as well as earlier discussions. Joe
Marcklinger suggested that land takings, for paths or to reduce encroachments or for any other
public good, should not reduce the owner's allowable ground cover that would have been
calculated by the pre- taking ratio.
Nat Lowell remains concerned about the impediments given to pedestrians and bicycle
riders by high curbs and retaining walls placed at the roadway edge. He thought that Cape -Cod
style berms fashioned from brick would delineate the side of the road while keeping it safe for
bicycles.
6. Having reached the end of the Agenda and having given time for discussion of new
items, the Committee agreed unanimously to adjourn at 5:45 pm. The next meeting is scheduled
for 4:00 pm, Tuesday, September 17, 2012, in the Training Room of 2 Fairgrounds Road.
From Minutes of July 17, 2012
OUTSTANDING PROJECTS AND ISSUES PRIORITY LIST FOR COMING YEAR
The Committee reviewed the list of outstanding projects, with the intent to add or subtract any
and to form subcommittees to work on specific priorities. NOTE FOR DISCUSSION: Shaded
cells indicate an attempt to group some of the projects, as they are similar and may overlap or
connect in some way, and could be areas of work undertaken by subcommittees.
PROJECT STATUS ACUON
Update CPC grant to fund work; pretty Mr. Reinhard and Mr. Voice to
Nantucket Open Space Plan much underway interview respondents to RFP on
July 26
Conduct a Nantucket Town
Sidewalk Survey
Assist the Town in Developing a
Encroachment Policy
Assist With a First Way
Pedestrian /Bike Access and
Road Improvement Project
Assist With Completion of
Sidewalk from Prospect Street
Bike Path to Upper Vestal Street
Assist With Implementation
Pedestrian /Bike Path Linking
Prospect Street Path to Madaket
Bike Route via Mill Hill
TM to reactivate Streets and
Sidewalk Committee; ReMain
Nantucket also wants to be
helpful, especially in regard to
improving pedestrian and bike
routes in and out of Town;
suggestion was made that the
WPI students might be helpful
with a Sidewalk Survey; Peter
Morrison is liaison
related to sidewalk survey, above
R &ROW Committee will be
represented on the Streets and
Sidewalk Committee; Harvey
Young had been the Committee's
representative previously
PROJECT STATIF ACTION
Update Priority Road Takings
List and Process to Evaluate
Priorities for Takings
Develop a Plan for the
Establishment of a Nantucket
Greenway and Footpath System
not as pressing, except for the
Boulevarde
work in progress; trails have
been identified; signage needed
next; a number of groups
working together, Land Bank in
in process of updating properties
map; once further along, a
separate Gree Tway map can be
produced and published
Assist in Establishing Footpath underway, part of TIP
from Washington Street (Transportation Improvement
Extension to Orange Street Plan); part of bikeway system
Improvement Plan getting out of Town; DPW
involved
Complete finished?
Surfside Paper Road and Abutter
Way Takings
Complete Spruce Street Viewing
Platform /Boardwalk to East
Creed Road
Assist With East Creek Road
Layout
Support Public Cemetery Access
and Maintenance Plan
Provide Oversight of
Maintenance of West Chester
Street Extension at Crooked Lane
and Cathcart Road
Mr. Reinhard raised this issue
with Mr, Voice; work in
progress; $20,000 left in CPC
grant for bird- watching platform;
abutters on left delaying
connects to Spruce, but Spruce
goes underwater, never recorded
layout for East Creek Road; still
not a proper layout
Cemetery Commission working
on this
Mr. Reinhard checks at least once
a month; a lot of water; up to
Wannacomet Road; one of 1799
roads
Publication of "A History of
Roads and Ways"
Mr. Stackpole will take this on
PROJECT SFATUS ACHON
Monitor and Assist With Chapter Harbors Plan Implementation
91 Public Access Enforcement Committee (FIPIC); Mr.
Saperstem, who serves as the
R &ROW Liaison with HPIC, is
now also a member of HPIC
Facilitate Mill Hill Project map of trails and public property
completed by the Civic League;
trees and walking paths
identified; two Egan Foundations
own some land in this area;
Town would like to secure it and
add to Mill Hill Park NOTE: get
electronic version of map up on
R&ROW web page?