HomeMy WebLinkAbout2013-6-18Town and County of Nantucket
COMMITTEE ON ROADS AND RIGHT OF WAY
Meeting of 18 June 2013
4:00 pm in the Training Room of 2 Fairgrounds Road
FINAL AND APPROVED MINUTES z o
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1. Call to Order, Approval of the Agenda, and Approval of Minutes
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A. Char Allen Reinhard called the meeting to order at 4:03 pm. In attendad� w§§ Dn
Anne Atherton (departed at 5:10 pm), Nat Lowell, Joe Mamklinger, Sylvie O'�onnell,
Allen Reinhard, Bert Ryder (arrived at 4:10 pm), Lee Saperstein, and John St*kpoop; am
quorum was present. z °
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No members of the public were present.
B. The agenda was approved with the following change in order: Under New Business,
the issue of access to Baxter Road and `Sconset Beach was moved to item 5. so as to
accommodate D. Anne Atherton's schedule. All of the posted items remained on the
agenda, only the order was changed.
C. Approval of minutes from April 16, 2013: John Stackpole moved to approve and Joe
Marcklinger seconded the motion; the committee voted unanimously to accept the
Minutes.
2. Publication of "Ways Oft Shore, A History of Roads and Ways in Nantucket
County."
John Stackpole distributed copies of the new publication to members of the Committee.
This project, which has been in the making for a number of years, is finally fulfilled.
Thanks were accorded to John Stackpole and Harbor Fuel Oil Corporation for supporting
its publication; also to Fran Ruley Karthmen, author, and Allen Reinhard, organizer of
the illustrations and other background material. Copies were distributed to committee
members who were vocal in thew praise of the document. D. Anne Atherton asked that
Char Reinhard make a specific and separate mention of the book at a meeting of the
Board of Selectmen.
3. Priority Takings List Review and Update.
Allen Reinhard said that he had put this item onto the agenda because it was very timely
to revisit it even though there is no Town money at present to support road takings. The
Committee last reviewed this List at its meeting of October 21, 2008; copies of that list
and excerpts from the minutes of that meeting are attached to these minutes. At that time,
our number one priority was the Boulevarde and the sequence of roads that lead from
Surfside to the Airport and mid - Island. Action several years ago by the Surfside
Association to make temporary repairs to these roads reduced the urgency of this taking.
Subsequent further degradation of the roads, reviews by the Planning Department, along
with homeowners' complaints and comments have returned these roads to a high priority.
Allen Reinhard reports that Bruce Miller, Char, County Commission, has this issue on
his "radar."
Issues raised by the recent parking dispute between Cisco Brewers and Bartlett Farm
reminded us of a request to take Smooth Hummocks Way that was given to us by John
Bartlett several years ago. It was not clear then nor now as to whether this way is private
or a Proprietors' Way. A quick look at the Town's GIS shows that there is only one
abutter on the north side of this way, namely Bartlett Farm, but 15 residences on the
south side, which all face away from Smooth Hummocks (Abutters to Smooth
Hummocks Way: On the north side: Bartlett Farm LLC (66 132), on the south side, 15
abutters: 66 146 to 148, and 66 166 to 177). Nat Lowell suggested that Smooth
Hummocks would provide an alternative route to Ladies Beach and the Bartlett Farm
Store.
Today's agenda provides the latest version of the list from October of 2008 and
discussion revolved around revisions that might reflect today's priorities. D. Anne
Atherton suggested that it is important to have a rationale for choosing roads and ways
for inclusion and for ranking their priority. Abstracts from the September 16 and October
18, 2008, minutes are attached because they contain such a statement of rationale. It was
also mentioned that Anne Bissinger -Poor, former member of the Committee had devised
a chart that would allow relevant data in support of the rationale to be displayed.
Secretary Saperstein said that he would send copies of these charts to Committee
members under separate cover (done; but they are large files and may not have been
received by everyone).
Sylvie O'Donnell and Lee Saperstein mentioned that First Way/Backus Lane should have
a higher priority because of its use by children and proximity to schools. Allen Reinhard
reminded us that the Committee had written to the Board of Selectmen about First
Way/Backus Lane urging that even though mostly a public way it needs to have a safe
way for children to get to school: sidewalk or multi -use path, as soon as possible. With
respect to other roads and ways on the 2008 list, Nat Lowell was opposed to inclusion of
Millbrook and Squaw Roads because of resistance from residents. It is noted that Squaw
Road is not on the 2008 list. When asked about Clifford Road, Allen Reinhard reminded
us that the Surfside link had to include Clifford for completeness.
Lee Saperstein suggested that we postpone formal revision of the list until he can get all
the information from his files out to the committee members, i.e. next meeting. John
Stackpole, on the other hand, asked, "Why wait?" D. Anne Atherton reflected that it
would be nice to be able to tell the Board of Selectmen that our recommendations were
made objectively. The members all agreed that First Way improvements should have a
high priority, right behind the Boulevarde group. Lee Saperstein made a preliminary
motion of a revised list that could be put onto the agenda for our next meeting, thus
allowing us time to read prior information and to inform the public through the posting of
the July meeting. He suggested that Boulevarde remain in first position, First Way
second, and Millbrook should to last; Cato Lane and Red Barn Lane would not go on this
list. The other roads would move up accordingly. Sylvie O'Donnell seconded the motion
and it was approved unanimously. The motion to go on the next meeting's agenda looks
like this: [ACTION]
Priority List of Roads and Ways for Taking or Improvement
• Boulevarde, Lovers Lane, Clifford Street, Okorwaw Avenue, and Monohansett
Road (from Surfside Road to the Airport);
• First Way/Backus Lane connector;
• Eel Point Road (private road sections);
• Warren's Landing Road (private road sections);
• East Eel Point Road;
• Somerset Road and Friendship Lane (from Raceway Drive to Joy Street);
• Smooth Hummocks Way (from Somerset to Bartlett Farm Road);
• Amelia Drive to Ticcoma Way to Fairgrounds Road;
• Hooper Farm Road (dirt portion from Surfside Drive to Surfside Road);
• Millbrook Road (from Madaket Road to Hummock Pond Road).
John Stackpole made a motion (Marcklinger second) to send a strongly worded letter to
the Board of Selectmen through the Town Manager on behalf of a speedy improvement
of First Way. This motion was approved unanimously. [ACTION]
In informal discussion about the list, as moved, Bert Ryder asked about Amelia
Drive/ficcoma Way and the reason for keeping it on list. Several responded and the
consensus was that parking restrictions could not be enforced as it is private and that it
met many other priority criteria such as having public roads at both ends, heavy use by
the public, considerations of access by emergency vehicles. Bert Ryder replied that he
still thought that it ought to be removed from the list. Sylvie O'Donnell asked why have
Eel Point Road in two segments. Lee Saperstein thought that it was to manage costs and
acceptability; he has found a more definitive discussion in the Minutes of October 21,
2008, attached, and it has to do with the difference between the fishhook alignment of Eel
Point Road and the spur to Eel Point, called East Eel Point Road. John Stackpole
suggested that the westward end of Eel Point Road is used only for access to dwellings
and their owners would not be in favor of the taking. Nat Lowell suggested that the west
end of Eel Point Road is not in use for access to Warren's Landing. The east and central
portions of Eel Point Road might be a route for a bike bath to the beach at 40'" Pole.
Sylvie O'Donnell suggested that East Eel Point leads to a north shore beach and Town -
owned land. Lee Saperstein reviewed the Town's GIS system and found that the first
property on the east side of East Eel Point Road, at its intersection with Eel Point Road,
is owned privately and the second and third (to the shore) are owned respectively by the
Nantucket Conservation Foundation and the Nantucket Island Land Bank. The west side
of East Eel Point Road is owned in its entirety privately although a way to the
Conservation Land on Eel Point provides for public access through this property. It was
agreed that a formal discussion of this List could be held at the July meeting after its
formal inclusion in the Agenda and Public Notice.
4. Nantucket Railroad Trail project update.
Lee Saperstein shared a copy of the map prepared by Joe Mareklinger. This is a digitally
developed document that places the railroad right of way over a platted map (shows
property lines) of Nantucket. Joe Marcklinger said that he would be happy to send the
digital file to anyone who wanted it. The map started a lot of discussion of railroad
history and routes. Lee Saperstein reminded the group that it was our intention to mark
the rights of way, both to Surfside and `Sconset, as walking trails. The first steps could
be with those segments controlled by the Town because the Conservation Foundation and
Land Bank asked that we defer until the fall when they have completed several major
projects.
The idea would be to have small, interpretative signs at key locations with, perhaps, an
index number on the sign that would correspond to a short description in a brochure
similar to what exist at Squam Swamp. He reported that he had spoken with James
Grieder, Assistant Administrator of the HDC, who serves the Sign Advisory Committee,
and had obtained copies of the regulations for such signs. A small discrete sign and
menu box, for the brochures, easily complies with these regulations and should find
acceptance at the HDC. He also shared such a sign that he developed; Bert Ryder offered
to expand the art work on the sign into something that could be incised into wooden
plaques.
5. New Business: Access to Baxter Road and `Sconset Beach.
As mentioned in Item I.B. agenda, this item was moved forward in time to accommodate
D. Anne Atherton's schedule; discussion began at 5:00 pm.
She handed out photocopies of an article found on the website of the Nantucket Historical
Association and published originally in Historic Nantucket, volume 20, number 4 (April
1973), p 19 -27, as "The Path Along The Bluff," by Eduard Stackpole. The article says in
paragraph 7 that William Flagg obtained, in 1873, from the Proprietors of the Town of
Nantucket, a large had of land between `Sconset and Sankaty but that the Proprietors
"reserved for themselves the beach land from the foot of the bluff to mean high water."
She is concerned about recent discussions for emergency armoring of the bluff along the
sections of Baxter Road endangered by recent beach erosion and the consequential,
potential loss of beach. Information has been given to the Town about the consequences
of armoring receding bluffs with revetments and they include the loss of the beach below
the revennent. She asked if it was the Committee's role to present information about the
historical legacy of the beach to the Town. She suggested that we not take a position but
that we add information to the debate that would include the consequential loss of a
beach that has been in our heritage since 1873. John Stackpole asked that if the beach
receded would it still be Town - owned. Joe Marcklinger, who is a professional surveyor,
replied that it was his understanding that if land is lost to erosion, then ownership is lost;
subsequent accretion would not restore ownership. Property lines are fixed in space and
do not migrate with land recession and accretion. Lee Saperstein suggested that the
Town would need to do a deep impact assessment on schemes to protect Baxter Road and
that this information could be supplied to whomever it is that is organizing the study.
This item concluded at 5:10 pm and the Committee resumed its printed agenda.
6. Installation of Public Way monuments at'Sconset and Eel Point.
Allen Reinhard announced that the three flush monuments intended to mark the'Sconset
Bluff Footpath are now in the ground; he installed them himself. The three upright posts
are still to go. Because of their weight, Allen indicated that he would need help. Several
members offered to help; Bert Ryder indicated that if the work is done on a Saturday he
should be able to obtain some equipment from his employer. With a desire to get them in
the ground before the Fourth of July holiday, this pretty much means work on Saturday,
June 29'. Allen will organize the party.
Bert Ryder said that he had noticed a commercial notice on the square in'Sconset
advertising guided tours of the 'Sconset Bluff Footpath. He asked if commercial activity
was not permitted; others concurred that it was not. He indicated that he would pursue a
follow -up action with Allen Reinhard. [ACTION]
7. New Business.
Allen Reinhard indicated that our next meeting will be the reorganization meeting for
the new Committee year. In anticipation of that and recognizing recent achievements, he
will reorganize the Outstanding Projects List. [ACTION]
Allen Reinhard will present the Board of Selectmen with a report on this year's activities
and he intends to emphasize the need to take key roads.
8. Adjourn. The meeting was adjourned at 5:27 pm.
Next meeting: July 16, 2013, 4:00 p.m., 2 Fairgrounds Road training room.
Submitted by Lee W. Saperstein, Secretary
Attachment 1: R &ROW Committee Outstanding Projects List:
• Nantucket Open Space Plan Update;
• Nantucket Oreenway 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. Extension 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
Comm.;
• 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.
Attachment 2. Excerpts from Minutes of September 16 and October 21, 2088
A. From the Minutes of September 16, 2008 (item in its entirety):
"Update of Priority County Road Acquisition List. The committee then began a
discussion of the criteria used to evaluate the private roads our committee feels should be
made public. The list was last updated in April of 2007. Among the criteria discussed
was the public use of these private roads, whether the road linked two public wads, the
condition of the road with regard to access by emergency vehicles, abutter's requests,
access to property open to the public, traffic circulation patterns, and public benefit. It
was pointed out that taking a roadway means the County assumes responsibility for
maintenance and any necessary improvements and these costs need to be considered as
part of any road taking."
"The committee then considered and discussed each road on the April 2007 list. Most
discussion centered on Milibrook Road, and Boulevard and roads leading to the airport as
the two private roads most heavily used by the public. Mrs. Beck and Mrs. Malcolm,
Surfside residents, commented on the extensive public use of Boulevarde and other roads
leading to the airport receive, and recommended these roads receive top priority."
"After discussion of each of the roads from the current list, it was voted to delete Squam
Road from the list at this time because the homeowners along the road have taken
responsibility for its maintenance. (See letter attached to August 19 minutes.) Other
roads the committee felt should be considered for taking include: First Way Backus
Lane, Amelia Drive and Ticcoma Way to Fairgrounds Road, Hooper Farm Road from
Surfside Road to intersection with Surfside Drive."
"A revised working list would include the following roads:
1. Boulevarde, Lovers Lane, Clifford Street, Orkowaw Avenue, Monohansett Road
(from Surfside Road to the Airport)
2. Millbrook Road (from Madaket Road to Hummock Pond Road)
3. Eel Point Road and Warren's Landing Road (private road sections)
4. Somerset Road and Friendship Lane (from Bartlett Road to Joy Street)
5. Smooth Hummocks Way (from Somerset to Bartlett Farm Road)
6. First Way/Backus Lane connector
7. Amelia Drive to Ticcoma Way to Fairgrounds Road
8. Hooper Farm Road (dirt portion from Surfside Drive to Surfside Road)
There was a question as to whether the following roads should continue from the current
list:
9. Cato Lane (from Bartlett Road to Vesper Lane)
10. Red Barn Road (from Massasoit Bridge to Sheep Pond Road)"
"We will consider and review this list again at our October meeting with the idea of
voting to update and prioritize the list at our November meeting."
B. From the Minutes of October 21, 2008
"Comments on List of Takings: Ms. O'Donnell suggested separating Eel Point Road and
Warren's Landing Road, as she believed a separate case can be made for Warren
Landing's Road. She also recommended including East Eel Point Road, thereby changing
the List as follows: #3 Warren's Landing Road; #4 Eel Point Road; and #5 East Eel Point
Road. After discussion and map looking, the Committee agreed to modify the List
accordingly."