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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2013-4-16(Z °f �1J Town and County of Nantucket ` COMMITTEE ON ROADS AND RIGHT OF WAY Meeting of 16 April 2013 4:00 pm in the Training Room of 2 Fairgrounds Road APPROVED AND FINAL MINUTES 1. Can to Order, Approval of the Agenda, and Approval of Minutes A. Chair Allen Reinhard called the meeting to order at 4:03 pm. In attendaa�e WEie Lowell, Joe Marcklinger, Sylvie O'Donnell, Allen Reinhard, Bert Ryder, Le€;SapzWcup and John Stackpole; a quorum was present. o rrnn ° 3 Not present was D. Anne Atherton. f rn o z � Guest: Art Gasbatm m o z � B. There were no changes to the published agenda. C. Approval of minutes from Much 19, 2013: John Stackpole moved to approve and Joe Marcklinger seconded the motion; the committee voted unanimously to accept the Minutes. D. In response to an invitation for comments from the public, Art Gasbarro said that he might have some under new business but for the moment was pleased to observe the Committee's discussions. 2. Updates from the Chair. A. Taking of Woodbury and Barnabus Lanes and Winn Street as bike route. Allen Reinhard reported on his communication with the Town Manager on the request for a taking of these streets. Our recommendation (see previous minutes) was negative on Woodbury and Bamabus Lanes. We suggested that we did not have enough information on the wishes of landowners, impacts on parking, and maintenance of the ways. Allen Reinhard suggested that the Director of the DPW, Kara Buzanoski, would be able to comment better on maintenance and parking issues. The Town Manager indicated that these streets were not an essential priority for the Town. We did recommend taking of the private portion of Winn Street, the paved segment between Vestal Street and the Madaket Road, as part of an overall strategy on bike routes. According to Allen Reinhard, the Director of Planning, Andrew Vorce, said that he intended to start the process on the taking of the private portion of Winn Street. B. Publication of "A History of Roads and Ways." Publication of this monograph by Fran Karmmen is moving forward. John Stackpole and Allen Reinhard will meet with Ken Blackshaw, who is doing the publication layout and the project is moving forward with a potential publication date by late May. 3. Nantucket Railroad Trail Project Update. Joe Marcklinger reported that he has been given more maps from Bob Gardner of the Wannacomet Water Conany. Although intended to show the location of water mains, they also give the late 19 - century location of the railroad. He also reported that part of the problem he is having in entering the railroad's route on the current digital map (GIS) of Nantucket is that property lines are often not correctly portrayed on the GIS maps. He believes that he has found remnants of the `Sconset station just west of Gulley Road; there is a large, flat stone exactly where the old map shows the station. He also located several other stones that may have served as foundation stones for the station; he sent photographs of all of the stones to members of the Committee. At the meeting, he also shared photocopies of the plat maps of the station's location. He also shared a preliminary copy of the railroad route map but indicated that he wanted to do some more work on it before making it public. Joe Marcklinger asked the group to consider what we should do next. He responded to his own question by saying maybe we could mark those locations to which we can gain access: Steamboat Wharf, Club Car, repair shops, Hatch's, Cape Cod 5 (Dave's Street), etc. Lee Saperstein agreed, indicating that, with the consent of the Town, we could mark some of the accessible trails and locations. Allen Reinhard had walked a portion of the roadbed that is accessible at the end of the dirt portion of Hinsdale Road oust beyond its intersection with Mary Ann Drive). If we are going to mark trails, we need a distinctive logotype to put on signs. Lee Saperstein will check to see if we need HDC approval for a small sign. Joe Marcklinger has acquired from the Commonwealth's Secretary of State the exclusive right to use the Nantucket Railroad trademark. 4. Installation of new Public Way monuments at `Sconset and Eel Point. D. Anne Atherton has identified the attorney for 65 and 67 Baxter Road (Marianne Hanley) in Arthur Reade's office and is pursuing notification to the owners of the intended installation of markers. Installation could be by Land Bank personnel or, if they are busy, we could find someone else to do it (including a bunch of us as volunteers). We would like to have the monuments installed by end of May. Sylvie O'Donnell mentioned that the monument at Warren's Landing is askew, possibly having been knocked by a vehicle. 5. Downtown Sidewalk Project: Goals and Objectives. (See attached Appendix A.) With the Committee's development of a draft, amended encroachment policy and the involvement of several committee members in the recent DPW sidewalk survey, the conversation over the Chair's proposal for a sidewalk project was lively. Allen Reinhard said that the Town had legal issues with the Juice Bar at Broad and South Beach Streets because a change of sidewalk elevation for ADA access at the curb had created an alleged hazard at their entry door. The proposed list of goals was discussed at length. With a general assumption that the project was a good idea, conversation included a number of suggestions for how to do it It was assumed that the Sidewalk survey for the DPW, which is a matrix with a lot of contained information, gives a good format Encroachments onto the sidewalk are certainly going to be a big part of this. Our Committee's suggested amendments to the Town's Encroachment Policy are still under review by DPW and the Town's administration. Chair Allen Reinhard mentioned that he understood that the DPW is undergoing its own re-organizational review and their review of the policy may need to wait for resolution of the reorganization. If we agree on the Sidewalk Project, Allen Reinhard would like to make a formal presentation of the completed plan to the BOS for their review and acceptance. This would be similar to what we did with the `Sconset Bluff Footpath report. John Stackpole suggested that the proposed boundary of the project be expanded to include West Chester Street from North Liberty up to New Lane and then back to Main Street. There was unanimous accord that the inclusion of New Lane and West Chester Street were appropriate additions of streets without sidewalks that present a danger to pedestrians. As the discussion continued Joe Marcklinger suggested that street names and numbers be augmented by map and parcel numbers in the final matrix. He also suggested that the format for the survey include a check list for gathering information; this way the field study could be done efficiently by simple check marks on a sheet while in the field. Nat Lowell, who had helped with the DPW survey, suggested that that DPW Director Kara Buzanoski has an extensive list of sidewalk problems that we might incorporate because the sewer project probably won't have the time or money to fix them all. As part of this discussion, John Stackpole mentioned that Main Strcet repairs appear to be done poorly. While he was going to bring this up under New Business, he felt that this was a good time to do so. He asked the Chair if we should send a note to the Town about our disappointment. Mention of Main Street reminded Nat Lowell that the DPW has a lot of granite blocks and edging in storage that might be used to repair or enhance crosswalks. Bert Ryder reminded us that work done by outside contractors has to be incorporated in the contract for it to happen and this may explain why many of the sidewalk problems will not be addressed by the Sewer Project. Lee Saperstein moved to accept the goals and objectives as modified and John Stackpole seconded. The motion was accepted unanimously and the edited list of goals and objectives is attached to these minutes.. Art Gasbarm mentioned SeeClickFix, a commercially available phone application, app, that has been adopted by our DPW ( http� / /seeclickfix.com/nmtucket). One uses a mobile telephone to take a picture of a problem and then uses the app to forward it to the DPW. The location of the pictures is geofixed by the app's software. Allen Reinhard suggested that we could register as the Committee on Roads and Right of Way to submit issues that we identify as being in need of resolution. Art Gasbarm showed us examples and the group was impressed. Nat Lowell said that it would be a good idea to have a sidewaWpaving contractor on retainer to fix sidewalk and encroachment issues rapidly. 6. Old, new and other business: Bartlett Farm Road Taking In an earlier e-mail to committee members, Chair Allen Reinhard indicated that we would hold an initial discussion at this meeting under "New Business" on the petition from Cisco Brewer's owners to the County to take enough land along Bartlett Farm Road to create a 40 -ft layout instead of the existing 30 -ft layout. He explained that the petition will be reviewed by the County Commissioners at a public hearing at their meeting of April 24". He also explained that Land Bank land and other lands with conservation restrictions, such as Bartlett Farm, may not be taken in fee but that an easement could be obtained. Nat Lowell explained the history of this road along with his insight from the planning perspective. There is a ten -ft utility easement for a water main on the east side of the road. For orientation, Cisco Brewery is on the west side of the road and cars have been parked on the east side. There is also a proposal for a ten -ft bike path easement on the west side of the road that would extend to the entrance to Bartlett Farm and, perhaps, beyond. In many ways this is an old issue associated with earlier 30-ft, or even variable, road -width layouts. Art Gasbarro, who has been engaged by the petitioners to prepare maps and designs for the taking, gave a review of the proposal and suggested that we could and should give a positive recommendation to it. The petition is for an easement and not "in fee," i.e. not taking ownership. He said that there are proponents of the proposed bike path who would cover costs including any damages for loss of value, which he believes will be minimal. He shared maps and aerial views of the proposed 40 -ft layout and additional ten -ft bike path. As mentioned earlier by Allen Reinhard, he said that the presentation to the County Commissioners' Public Hearing is on the 20 of this month. Although the road was laid out in 1928, the actual taking, making it a public way, occurred in 1975. During his presentation, mention was made of the possibility of Smooth Hummocks Way as a relief route from Surfside Road and Bartlett Road. The Planning Department's "Nantucket Road Ownership Worksheet" shows Smooth Hummocks Way as a private road. If this alternative remains of interest, it may be of value to ask Andrew Vorce, Director, if that is correct. Allen Reinhard said that the question before us is "do we do anything at this point ?" John Stackpole said that the road should be to a full 40-ft width for safety not necessarily for parking. Nat Lowell added that there are many benefits for improving the layout on this road: two commercial destinations plus Ladies Beach. While the issue of parking is before the public, the benefits of a taking are much more than parking. Joe Mamklinger asked, "Isn't it our committee's policy to encourage 40-11 layouts ?" Sylvie O'Donnell added that we can wait on making a recommendation: "We don't need to take a position until the public hearing is over." She is not convinced that the agricultural restriction should be overturned. Lee Saperstein suggested that we not make an explicit recommendation but that we gather all information that we can on benefits versus costs, similar to an environmental impact assessment. We can thus add our input without causing grief among the parties. Allen Reinhard said that we don't have enough information to make a recommendation now; furthermore, open - meeting mles require that a new - business item be placed on a future agenda so as to ensure adequate public notice. After the 24", however, we might have more needed information. Key to our assessment will be an understanding of the public benefit that would come from this taking. He indicated that he will put this issue on the agenda for our May meeting. In a related matter, Allen Reinhard said that he had been reviewing old files for our committee and found a September 26, 1996, memorandum on a priority list of takings. He was pleased to report that most of the issues have been resolved. He also found a February 1997 memorandum with a recommendation from Pete Sawyer that the Town take Hawthorn Lane and pave it. This road is now clearly in private hands. 7. Adjourn at 3:41 pm. Having reached the end of the agenda, adjournment was by acclamation. Nest meeting: May 14,2013,4:00 p.m., 2 Fairgrounds Road training room. Roads and Right of Way Committee Outstanding Projects List: • Nantucket Open Space Plan Update • Nantucket Greenway and Footpath System • Nantucket Town Sidewalk Survey with recommendations • Railroad ROW trail project • First Way Pedestrian/Bike Access and Road Improvement Safety Project • Installation of sidewalk from Prospect St. multi -use path to Upper Vestal Street • Bike path linking Surfside, Hummock Pond & Madaket Bike paths via Mill Hill • In Town Bike Path from Washington St. Ext to Rotary • Spruce Street viewing platform • Harbor walk • Publication of "A History of Roads and Ways" • Chapter 91 Public Access License Enforcement: Harbor Plan Implementation Committee • Surfside paper road/abutters way takings • Update Priority Takings List and process used to evaluate priority for takings Completed projects needing implementation and follow up: • Access to `Sconset Footpath, maintenance and signage • Work with DPW on maintenance plan for public way monuments and trails • Oversight of maintenance West Chester St. Ext., Crooked Lane and Cathcart Road Committee of Roads and Right of Way, Minutes of Meeting of April 16, 2013 Appendix A. Downtown Sidewalk Project Goals and Objectives The Roads and Right of Way Committee has undertaken a project to survey the condition of sidewalks in the downtown area. The project was proposed to identify areas in downtown Nantucket where sidewalks simply end and pedestrians are forced to walk in the street or along narrow paths adjacent to curbs. The project would also include identification of poor or hazardous 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. The project will result in a report to the Board of Selectmen/County Commissioners, the Town Manager, the DPW Director, and the Planning Director. The Objectives and Goals of the Downtown Sidewalk Project follow. 1. Identify the condition of existing sidewalks by street name and location in the downtown area and ways connecting the Historic District with the Mid -Island area. The area of study will need to be defined, but might be bounded by North Liberty, starting at Cliff Road, to West Chester Street to New Lane to its intersection with Main Street thence to Quaker Rd and Prospect St. to Williams Lane to Union, Francis, Washington and Water Streets to Cliff Road and the point of beginning at North Liberty. 2. Develop a matrix and data- gathering system to support our findings and recommendations. The Town's Sidewalk Committee report developed by the DPW for the recent sewer work could be used as a model, with locations by street name and number, map and parcel numbers, map coordinates, and photographs to illustrate condition. A simple check list, paper or digital, can be used while in the field to identify the hazards or poor conditions. The Roads and Right of Way recommendations for the installation of sidewalks along Prospect Street and Quaker Road, Cliff Road, Pleasant Street and Williams Lane are examples of needed pedestrian links to the Town center. 3. Identify funding sources to extend and repair sidewalks. 4. Encourage and oversee the adoption of an updated Encroachment Policy on town and county property with strong enforcement mechanisms. The focus here is traffic safety and pedestrian access over public ways in the downtown and mid -town areas. The new Encroachment Policy could be a starting point for identifying obstructions and issues with downtown sidewalks. 5. Present a Final Report with recommendations to the Board of Selectmen/County Commissioners and Town Manager. An objective of this project is to see how we can further the improvement of public access via sidewalks in downtown Nantucket. 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. An unanswered question is who will do the work to compile such a report and recommendations ? The Encroachment Policy update now being reviewed by the DPW is related to the Sidewalk project. We will need to define more clearly the area included in "downtown" and also consider other related projects such as the various in -town bike route proposals as the project develops. Submitted by Lee W. Saperstein, Secretary