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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2013-7-16I �/J GCc'P�✓ }or C't LL Town and County of Nantucket COMMITTEE ON ROADS AND RIGHT OF WAY Meeting of 16 July 2013 RECEIVED 4:00 pm in the Training Room of 2 Fairgrounds Road 2913 FUG 26 P9 12 01 FINAL AND APPROVED MINUTES fIANTUCIKET TOWN CLERK 1. Call to Order, Approval of the Agenda, and Approval of Minutes A. Chair Allen Reinhard called the meeting to order at 4:00 pm. In attendance were D. Anne Atherton (4:03 pm), Nat Lowell (4:04 pm; left at 5:00 pm), Joe Marcklinger (left at 5:00 pm), Sylvie O'Donnell, Allen Reinhard, Bert Ryder, and Lee Saperstein; a quorum was present throughout the meeting. Guests: John Whitney, Susan Whitney. B. Approval of minutes from June 18, 2013: Bert Ryder moved to approve and Joe Marcklinger seconded the motion; the committee voted unanimously to accept the Minutes. 2 (Also Agenda Items 1. And 6.). Public Comment and `Sconset Bluff Footpath The Whimeys asked if they could speak about management of the `Sconset Bluff Footpath. Char Reinhard said that the Committee had intended to take up the same issue as Agenda Item 6. He then asked the committee's consent to move Item 6. up in conjunction with Public Comment and for the Whitneys to have full privilege of the floor. The Committee consented unanimously. Susan Whitney complimented the committee on the work done on the `Sconset Bluff Footpath but suggested that implementation of the management plan was falling behind. For example, signs that were promised have not been installed. She said that one land owner had put up private signs on his property and they were attractive but that the Town had not followed through with its implementation. They also complained about commercial use of the path. Allen Reinhard explained that the reason this item was on the agenda was the committee's recognition of the absence of implementation of the items in the Management Plan that the Committee had provided to the Town when it made its recommendations to the Board of Selectmen on the use of the Footpath. He has discussed this with the Town who said that enforcement of these recommendations may occur only after they have been converted to official policy. A major recommendation was that the path should not be used for any commercial activity and this includes guided tours. Instances of non - compliance had been reported in the June meeting. As an initial step toward creating policy, the Board of Selectmen will take up the issue at an Open Hearing at their meeting on August 7, 2013. Allen Reinhard asked the Whimeys for their observations about maintenance and heard that most of the path was in good shape, particularly where land owners did their own mowing and trimming, although there were a few sections that were overgrown. They also commented again about the privately installed signs and how attractive they were. D. Anne Atherton read from the management report at the part where it suggested that notification cards would be locally produced for distribution by land owners to visitors. She said that some of the recommendations for signs and their content had been forwarded to local groups for implementation. She said that she will follow up with the `Sconset civic groups on the development of signs [ACTION: contact `Sconset civic groups]. 3 (Agenda Item 2.). Election of Committee officers for FY 2014. Chair Reinhard reminded the group that this was the fast meeting of the Committee Year and that it was appropriate to elect new officers at this time. Nat Lowell moved to re- nominate the existing set of officers: Allen Reinhard, Chair, D. Anne Atherton, Vice Chair, and Lee Saperstein, Secretary. Joe Marcklinger seconded the motion. After a short discussion, the members voted unanimously in favor of the motion. 4 (Agenda Item 3.). Open Space Plan Update and reprioritizing our Outstanding Projects List. A. Open Space Plan Update. Allen Reinhard explained that he and Lee Saperstein attended on June 26, 2013, at 1:00 pm, a public hearing organized by the Planning Department, Andrew Voice, Director, with representatives of the consultants, Brown Walker Planners, who are preparing the revisions to the Open Space Plan. They organized the session to include input from those present of which we gave a lot. A draft for public review is to he done by August. B. Review of Outstanding Projects List. Reference is made to the list of outstanding projects that is appended to the agenda for every meeting. The list represents strategic objectives that are underway, anticipated, or completed but in need of maintenance and oversight. As this was the first meeting of the year, Char Reinhard felt that we should review the list with a view toward activities that might further the projects. • Nantucket Open Space Plan Update. As mentioned just above, the consultants are working hard on the revised version of the plan and expect to have a draft for review at the end of the summer and a formal submission at the end of the year. The plan will include existing and proposed walking trails, which are of interest as "Greenways" across the Island. • First Way Pedestrian/Bike Access and Road Improvement Safety Project. Allen Reinhard explained that he had drafted a memorandum to the Board of Selectmen, as moved at the last meeting, but felt that the communication about this project would be better served as part of the Committee report to the Board that he will present in person at their meeting of July 20. In addition to the First Way safety issue, the report will include a review of taking in Surfside, progress needed on bike path connectors, and improvements for sidewalks on Prospect Street. A copy of the Committee's report is appended to these minutes. [ACTION: Report to the BOSj • Update Priority Takings List and process used to evaluate priority for takings. This matter was taken up at the meeting and good progress was made; see agenda item 4. following. • Railroad Right of Way trail project. The Committee intends to pursue identification of segments of the right of way that are amenable to walking paths and to work with the land owners (Nantucket Conservation Foundation, NCF, Nantucket Island Land Bank, NILB, and Town of Nantucket, TOED for their consent to create the paths; also to arrange for maintenance of them. • Installation of sidewalk from Prospect St. multi-use path to Upper Vestal Street. The above project on pedestrian safety mentioned the Prospect Street multi -use path. Identifying it as a project in its own right gives emphasis to the need for this path. Allen Reinhard reported that the developer of properties along the private but paved portion of Winn Street is negotiating with the Town to have them taken. Should Winn Street become public in its entirety, it could become part of a safe pedestrian and bicycle route around the Historic Quaker Cemetery. • Bike path linking Surfside, Hummock Pond and Madaket Bike paths via Mill Hill. A bicycle path, or more accurately a bicycle route, that connects the three major paths to the south shore beaches is badly needed. It would connect the end of the existing Prospect Street bike path, which ends at Mill Hill Park, to the new path on Hummock Pond Road and the path along the Madaket Road. • In -Town Bike Path from Washington St. Extension to Rotary. This project is part of the Town's Transportation Improvement Plan, TIP, so Nat Lowell asked about moving this to a different category such as "underway" or "completed ". Allen suggested that until work actually begins, we need to maintain a watching role. • Nantucket Greenway and Footpath System. These cross -Island trails are included in the Open -Space Plan Revisions referenced above. The new plan will also identify gaps in the system that could be targets for acquisition or taking. Allen Reinhard reported that the Land Bank will be upgrading their digital map and it will show all trails on the Land Bank property plus those on NCF and TON. Maintaining the Greenway system as a separate project reflects the Committee's interest in it. • Spruce Street viewing platform. When Spruce Street, a narrow street between Marine Home and Our Island Home that ends at the harbor, was taken by the Town, a Community Preservation Committee grant was made for improvements to the street including the construction of a viewing platform. There is a balance of around $20k available for constructing this platform. With the prospect of a multi-use path to be constructed across Spruce Street at its connection to Orange Street, it makes sense to keep this project on our list. • Harbor walk. There is substantial interest in creating a harbor walk that will allow pedestrians to go from Brant Point to the Creeks alongside of the Harbor. The Harbor Plan speaks to it and the Land Bank has been acquiring property and/ or building parks and parklets alongside of the harbor. In the long term, this project will be very beneficial to the Town. • Chapter 91 Public Access License Enforcement. Information on MGL Chapter 91 (Wetlands) licenses for structures built on protected wetland areas is kept by the Department of Natural Resources. The previous Harbor Plan Implementation Committee, HPIC, which has been disbanded, kept a surveillance of compliance with the terms of these licenses. It will now be up to our Committee to review the access across these structures that is mandated by the licenses. • Surfside paper road/abutters' way takings. The Planning Department has devoted a great deal of effort to this project. Director Andrew Vorce consults with the Committee on proposed takings. • Nantucket Town Sidewalk Survey with recommendations. The recent sewer re- construction project in downtown streets led to a temporary revival of the Town's sidewalk committee. Their work was valuable but, unfortunately, was limited only to the streets that were part of the project. Our Committee feels that the look and conditions of sidewalks is an important tourist attraction but also a safety issue. As a means of getting a handle on this project, D. Anne Atherton suggested that we run a trial inventory in a small area to establish review criteria and documentation procedures. This would be something that the Committee as a whole or a subcommittee could work on in the fall. There is an obvious linkage to our draft Encroachment Policy. [ACTION: create subcommittee] C. Completed projects needing implementation and follow up • Encroachment policy. • Access to `Sconset Footpath, maintenance and signage. • Work with DPW on maintenance plan for public way monuments and trails. • Oversight of maintenance on West Chester St. Ext., Crooked Lane, and Cathcart Road. 4. (Agenda Item 5.). Nantucket Railroad Trail project update. Joe Marcklinger had to leave at 5:00 pm so the Committee did a quick summary at that time (before item 4.) of an update on progress on the Nantucket Railroad Trail project. Bert Ryder showed a trial trail sign featuring Dionis, the locomotive, the letters NRR, and the dates of the railroad, 1878 -1918. The group was impressed. Joe shared an updated map along with enlargements of the terminals and the car bam. Efforts to identify individual segments should take priority m the fall when the landowning groups will have time to meet with us. [ACTION: share completed sign with HDC staff member] 5. (Agenda Item 4.). Priority Takings List Review and Update. Allen Reinhard reminded the Committee that we had begun discussing the list of roads that should be taken or improved at our last meeting. Fiscal restraints are such that progress will be slow but there are reasons for keeping our list up to date. There are ways, such as First Way and the sequence of roads in Surfside that need to be dealt with now; also, the Town gets requests from owners of private roads — most recent examples are Woodbury Lane and Winn Street -- for their taking and the Town needs our prompt advice on these requests. Lee Saperstein reminded the group that, based on their conversation at the last meeting, he had compiled a list of ways needing attention. So as to facilitate discussion, he had printed this list in the form of a motion. D. Anne Atherton seconded the motion; she also asked about the criteria for including a way on the list. Lee Saperstein reminded the group that these criteria were discussed in 2008 and a section of the Minutes from that meeting had been included in the Minutes of our last meeting. D. Anne Atherton read portions of the criteria out loud to the group. Before he left the meeting, Nat Lowell had said that Amelia Drive and Millbrook Road did not deserve to be on the list. Sylvie O'Donnell asked why Cato Lane was not in the motion. In discussing the motion, several asked if this list was fixed. Lee Saperstein said no, it was only a starting point. Allen Reinhard suggested that the use of the word "priority" is a misnomer because the Town is not likely to go in priority order and will likely be guided by future demands. He repeated that we should keep a list so that the Town and our committee have guidance. In discussing inclusion or exclusion of ways, Nat Lowell had already suggested the removal of Millbrook Road and Bert Ryder agreed. Sylvie O'Donnell asked that we add Cato Lane and Bert Ryder agreed with her. Allen Reinhard said that the completion of the purchase of the Cato Lane property by the Land Bank gave a different and more positive perspective toward taking this way. Sylvie O'Donnell asked about Red Barn Road. Allen Reinhard said that he would check on its status while Sylvie O'Donnell said that it was private but that it links Massasoit Bridge to Sheep Pond Road, which is public. Bert Ryder asked about Pocomo Road. Allen Reinhard said that it was public to the parking lot at its harborside terminus. A check of the Town's "Nantucket Road Ownership Worksheef'(btta�/www.nan[ucket- ma goy /Paees/NantucketMA IT /ulsmapsfolder/ROW Plan.odf) confirmed these observations. As the suggestions for inclusion became more plentiful, D. Anne Atherton suggested that she develop a spread sheet of ways against criteria. In essence, she would list all possible ways, including all of those mentioned in today's discussion, down the left-hand column and provide a series of columns alongside that would represent the various criteria for inclusion. Once done, the Committee could see the ways against those criteria that pertain to each. With that in hand, we could assess quantitatively the significance of each way to the Town. In discussion, Sylvie O'Donnell asked if the feelings of the neighbors would be considered and it was shown by Allen Reinhard that this is one of the criteria to be assessed. All agreed that this was a good idea and Lee Saperstein's motion was postponed until this information was available. [ACTION: Create spread sheet) 6. `Sconset Foot Path: Follow up with signage, walking tours, and Town Memorandum of Understanding, MOU. In addition to the discussion held with the Whitneys present in Item 2., D. Anne Atherton noted that in reading the Notice of Intent filed with the Conservation Commission for work to armor the `Sconset Bluff, she found at least six references to benefits that would accrue to the public from the project. They refer to public access and pedestrian paths and she thought that it would be a good idea for our community to explore what they mean. 7. New Business. There was no other new business. 8. Adjourn. The meeting was adjourned by acclamation at 5:33 pm. Next meeting: August 20, 2013, 4:00 p.m., 2 Fairgrounds Road training room. Submitted by Lee W. Saperstein, Secretary Attachment 1: R &ROW Committee Outstanding Projects List (as attached to the Agenda and before discussion): • Nantucket Open Space Plan Update; • Nantucket Crreenway 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 mad/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: 2012 -2013 Committee Report to be presented to the Board of Selectmen on July 24, 2013. NANTUCKET ROADS & ROW COMMITTEE Report to the BOS/CC and Town Manager July 24, 2013 The purpose of this report is to update the Town Manager and County Commissioners on the recent work of our committee and to reiterate our recommendations regarding the safety situation at First Way and our recommendations for taking roads in Surfside leading to the airport as well as the current status of other committee projects. Several years ago, the Roads & ROW Committee submitted a recommendation and proposal for improvement of pedestrian access to the public schools via First Way from Hooper Farm Road. Our committee felt there was, and remains, an urgent need to address the safety of the many children who access the public schools along this public way. This section of First Way is a rutted dirt road with no sidewalk and is a primary access point for children on foot and on bicycles from the south end of town. Many local residents, students and school staff traveling in cars and trucks, also use the road. The entire public school system and associated athletic fields are located on this campus and are used year round. There is an urgent need for the town to create a footpath, sidewalk or other pedestrian way to separate foot and bicycle traffic from vehicle traffic. The Roads & ROW Committee voted at its June 16, 2013 meeting to most strongly recommend that the County Commissioners and Town Manager establish such a path prior to the beginning of the school year. Boulevarde and the roads leading from Surfside Road to the airport have been at the top of our committee's Priority Takings List since 2008. The Surfside Area Association has raised and spent over $200,000 to temporarily patch and repair these publicly used private roads while the town prepares to take and reconstruct what has become a major thoroughfare as traffic seeks to avoid the year -round congestion on Old South Road and to access the airport. Surfside residents were promised several years ago that these roads would be taken by the County and rebuilt as public ways to County standards. This process needs to move forward. Other recommendations needing encouragement from the Selectmen and Town Manager are: 1. The in -town bike route exiting town from Washington Street Extension across the RR ROW past Marine Home Center to the rotary; 2. Completion of a sidewalk from the end of the Prospect Street multi -use path to Vestal Street providing pedestrian access through this dense and dangerous traffic area connecting the east and west ends of the island, and 3. Design for a bike route linking the Madaket, Hummock Pond and Surfside bicycle paths. In addition to our above recommendations, our committee has been working on a number of other projects including: 1. An update of the Town's Open Space Plan which will include maps of all the walking trails and bicycle paths traversing the island's open space and can serve as the basis for a Nantucket Greenway system, 2. Development of a trail following the Nantucket Railroad path from town to Surfside and Tom Nevers and Sconset, 3. Installation of six additional granite Public Way monuments donated to the town by Neil Paterson, bringing the total of new monuments installed to thirty, 4. Additional work with the town and Sconset residents regarding issues related to the Sconset Foot Path. This fall, we will commence a sidewalk survey of the condition and status of sidewalks in the downtown area with recommendations for improvement. Our committee at the request of the Town Manager has also worked with the DPW to develop an enforceable Encroachment Policy to improve public safety and curb the private use of public property. The plan is currently under review by the DPW and Town administration. Our committee also maintains a list of private roads for potential taking as public roads. We look at each of these ways and measure them against a set of seven criteria including: 1. Public use of private roads. 2. Whether the road connects two public ways. 3. The condition of the road with regard to access by emergency vehicles. 4. Access to property open to the public. 5. Traffic circulation. 6. Public benefit. And 7. Abutters request. This Potential Takings List can be used by the town to make informed decisions relating to public access and traffic safety. The Roads & Right of Way website contains detailed minutes of our monthly meeting, annual reports, a history of public ways on Nantucket, and other reports such as the work we undertook regarding access and maintenance of the Sconset Foot Path.