Loading...
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 n FINAL AND APPROVED MINUTES � m m 1. Call to Order, Agenda, Approval of Minutes f 3 n 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?