HomeMy WebLinkAbout2013-1-15�I
Meeting held January
Call To Order. Chairman Allen Reinhard called a meeting of the Roads & Right
Way Committee to order at 4:02 p.m. in the training room at 2 Fairgrounds Road. to m
addition to the chairman, members Nat Lowell, John Stackpole, Joe Marcklinger, I 3 m
Anne Atherton, and Bert Ryder were present. °
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Minutes. John Stackpole moved approval of Minutes from December 12, 2012, z rn
seconded by Joe Marcklinger and approved as submitted.
Downtown Sidewalk Project. The chairman initiated discussion of the Downtown
Sidewalk Project including the goal of the project and the results we are seeking. Initially,
the project was proposed to identify areas in the downtown area where sidewalks simply
end and pedestrians are forced to walk in the street or along narrow paths adjacent to
curbs, with the idea that a plan including funding sources to extend sidewalks where
possible could be adopted by the Town. Sidewalks along Prospect Street and Quaker
Road, Cliff Road, Pleasant Street and Williams Lane were cited as examples. The project
could also include identification of sidewalk conditions in the downtown area similar to
the work done by the Town's Sidewalk Committee and the DPW in preparation for the
sewer and water main work to be done in town this winter.
One question is who will do the work to compile such a report and recommendations?
The scope of the project clearly falls within our mission, remembering that our authority
only extends to making recommendations to the Board of Selectmen and Town Manager.
The Encroachment Policy update now being reviewed by the DPW is related to the
Sidewalk project. There was consensus that the Sidewalk Project needs to be more fully
developed and the new Encroachment Policy could be a starting point for identifying
obstructions and issues with downtown sidewalks. The Committee will refine the
objectives and goals of this project to see how it furthers the improvement of public
access via sidewalks in downtown Nantucket. We will need to define the area included in
"downtown" and also consider other related projects such as the various in town bike
route proposals as the project develops. It was suggested that CPC funds could be used
for preservation of "historic sidewalks." The Chairman will speak with CPC
administration to see if such fording is possible under their charter.
Sconset Foot Path Easements. D. Anne raised the question of marking easements to the
Sconset Foot Path. A recent walk on the path revealed the easement granted at the north
end of the path is overgrown and not marked. It was suggested that Andrew Vince could
be invited to our February meeting to discuss the status of the taking of the ways from
Baxter Road to the Foot Path, and that granite bounds could be placed where easements
exist at the northern exit and Rosaly Street.
Open Space Plan Update. Chairman Reinhard reported that the consultants are
progressing on mapping Nantucket's open space properties and existing trail systems. A
community survey has been sent out to residents via email asking for impressions and
priorities regarding the island's natural resources and open spaces. Results of the survey,
maps and recommendations for acquisition of future open space will be included in the
consultant's final report.
The Chairman then cited the Committee's CPC grant request which included using CPC
funds to "assist in identifying possible gaps and potential land acquisitions along with
any potential remnants of Town interests in proprietors roads and other former public
landings and ways that will increase public access to Nantucket's shoreline, ponds,
moorlands and conservation lands open to the public." This would be work similar to
what was done during the 1970's. Chairman Reinhard will follow up with Planning
Director Voice to explore the feasibility of using our grant funding to complete the title
search and other work necessary to discover further public access possibilities.
The chairman announced that the Land Bank had recently cut the last trail link
connecting the stairs at the end of the Town's section of Dionis Beach through Town
property acquired from the National Park Service and connecting to the Land Bank's
Tran's Hills property and Ranger Road. This completes a north/south trail from the beach
at Dionis to the south shore at Head of the Plains entirely on properties owned by the
Town, Land Bank and the Nantucket Conservation Foundation. This major public access
accomplishment shows the importance of conservation groups and the Town working
together to protect and preserve Nantucket's natural resources. This project is part of our
committee's Right of Way Improvement Plan.
Surfside Property between the ocean and Youth Hostel. A question was raised about
title to property on Western Avenue between the former Lifesaving Station now Youth
Hostel and the ocean. There appears to be no record of title to the lots that exist on what
would have been the property of the Lifesaving Service and has now accreted to the
extensive dune fields extending to the current beach and ocean. It was suggested that
Annie Bissinger formerly of our committee might be able to shed light on ownership of
this property and other potential public access points around the island.
Nantucket Railroad Trail Project Update. Joe Marcklinger discussed further work he
has done researching the route of the railway bed to Surfside and Tom Nevers. We
discussed the possibility of marking sections of the route with discrete historical markers
where appropriate. This has become quite an interesting project.
There being no other business to come before the committee, the meeting was adjourned
at 5:02 p.m. The next regularly scheduled meeting will be Tuesday, February 19, at 4:00.
Respectfully submitted,
Allen Reinhard, acting secretary pro tear