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Home My WebLink About2013-11-19NANTUCKET ROADS & ROW COMMITTEE Meeting Notice & AGENDA November 19, 2013 Meeting to be held at 4:00 in the Training Room at 2 Fairgrounds Road. 1. Public comment, and Approval of minutes from October 15, 2013. 2. Core district sidewalk survey project: Recent coverage and response. 3. Open Space Plan: First draft of plan sent out for review. 4. Railroad Trail Project: Walkway behind new Cape Cod 5 buildi�*. M 5. Hulbert Avenue takings approved at Special Town Meeting. r„ n rn 6. Encroachment Policy Review and plan for implementation. 3 rn z ca; 7. Old, New or other business. r 8. Adjourn. Next meeting: December 17, 2013, 4:00 p.m., 2 Fairgrounds Road. R &ROW Committee Outstanding Projects List Nantucket Open Space Plan Update First Way Pedestrian/Bike Access and Road Improvement Safety Project Update Potential Takings List and process used to evaluate priority for takings Railroad ROW trail 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 Nantucket Greenway and Footpath System Spruce Street viewing platform Harbor walk Chapter 91 Public Access License Enforcement: Harbors Plan Implementation Com. Surfside paper road/abutters way takings Nantucket Town Sidewalk Survey with recommendations 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 NANTUCKET ROADS & RIGHT OF WAY COMMITTEE Draft MINUTES Meeting held October 15, 2013 Call To Order. Chairman Allen Reinhard called a meeting of the Roads & Right of Way Committee to order at 4:05 p.m. in the conference room at 2 Fairgrounds Road. In addition to the chairman, members Nat Lowell, Joe Marcklinger, and Sylvie O'Donnell were present. In addition DPW Director Kara Buzanowski, Town Engineer Silvio Genao, Selectman Rick Atherton and I &M Reporter Elise Linscott were present. Brant Point resident John Sorino joined the meeting at 4:10. Minutes: Joe Marcklinger moved approval of Minutes from September 17, 2013 seconded by Nat Lowell and approved as submitted. New Business: With the Committee's approval, the Chairman requested the Committee take up a New Business item relating to Warrant Articles 5 & 6 on the November 4 Special Town Meeting as the first agenda item. These articles we permissive and grant the Selectmen authority to acquire five ways to the harbor along Hulbert Avenue (Dix, Johnson, James, Henry and Willard Streets referred to as the "Beachside Streets "). Neighbors in the area have deeded rights to pass over these abutters ways and the Town has discussed making these ways public since 1913. The process was undertaken in the 1930's and in later years. The recent creation of a fence across the way at James Street initiated the current warrant articles. After discussion about the history of these ways and previous attempts to acquire them as public ways, and an explanation of the Yard Sale program and One Big Beach easements Nat Lowell moved and Joe Marcklinger seconded and the Committee Voted: A recommendation to the Town Manager and County Commissioners in strong support of Articles 5 and 6 on the November 4, 2013 Special Town Meeting. Introduction of new Town Engineer, Silvio Genao: DPW Director Kara Buzanowski introduced Silvio Genao, the new Town Engineer, to the Committee. Mr. Genao has worked with the Town of Barnstable to develop an Inventory Asset Condition, essentially a list of roads, sidewalks and other infrastructure assets of a town with a rating of their current condition in order to prioritize maintenance and capital planning. This approach to tracking town infrastructure such as roads and sidewalks ties in well with the newly developed Encroachment Policy and the Committee's planned Town Sidewalk Survey. The Committee looks forward to assisting the DPW regarding the improvement of public access and public ways through developing condition assessments, maintenance schedules and capital projects planning. Encroachment Policy Review: Discussion turned to a review of the new Encroachment Policy draft requested by the Town Manager. Director Buzanowski raised the question of whether there was such a thing as an "historical encroachment." Some structures such as steps and landings to house entrances were discussed; however, fences and especially plantings and landscape features such as large boulders placed in a public way are clearly not historical. There followed a discussion of the various existing types of encroachments of public ways and a brief history of enforcement issues leading to the need for a revised policy with stronger enforcement provisions and a system to prioritize and respond as situations arise. Director Buzanowski is developing a plan to deal with encroachments area by area with public education of the rights and responsibilities of abutters of public ways to keep these ways clear. The Committee offered its support for this program and offered to develop a list of existing situations such as the sidewalk on Centre Street, various intersections and other situations committee members are aware of. Also discussed was the status of the takings of the Surfside area roads from the airport to Surfside Road. Funds for initial survey work have been approved and funding of the project was briefly discussed including sharing costs between the County and area residents through betterments. Chairman Reinhard noted he is an abutter to the Boulevarde and an officer of the Surfside Area Association. Open Space Plan Update: The Chairman reported that Planning Director Vorce has been reviewing the text of the plan and plans to have a draft ready for review within the next month. The Plan will have maps showing public ways and trail systems throughout the island as well as an accurate inventory of open space. Railroad Trail Project: The Nantucket Conservation Foundation is developing a management plan for the 1789 acres of land they own south of Milestone Road from Madequecham to Tom Nevers. Most of the old Nantucket Railroad bed runs through this area and is clearly defined by its elevation through the outwash plain to Sconset. The route would make an excellent firebreak and historic walk through this extensive conservation holding. The Land Bank has cleared part of the railroad bed through its property along Hinsdale Road. The Town and Land Bank have applied for a CPC Open Space grant to establish a park along the railroad path behind the new Cape Cod 5 bank linking Orange Street to Pleasant Street, The Committee will develop appropriate interpretative information and marking as pieces of this project come together. In -town Multi -use Path Phase 1: Mike Bums discussed the public hearing held on September 26 regarding plans for phase I of the construction of a paved Multi-use (pedestrians, bicycles and strollers) path linking Washington Street Ext. across the railroad bed behind Goose Pond to Orange Street beyond Marine Home Center. The next step is to prepare bid packages for construction and securing rights -of -way and permits. If all goes according to plan, construction should begin in the fall of 2014 and be completed before next summer. This path will be a major improvement for public access and pedestrian safety. 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. The Town could then adopt a plan including funding sources to extend sidewalks where possible. 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. Since 2011 when the Committee first considered the project, various pieces have come together. The earlier Encroachment Policy discussion and the hiring of a Town Engineer and a plan to develop an inventory of town infrastructure assets are all related and can give focus to improving the status and condition of sidewalks through out the town. Adjournment: There being no other business to come before the committee, the meeting was adjourned at 5:35 p.m. The next regularly scheduled meeting will be Tuegday, November 19, at 4:00. Respectfully submitted, Allen Reinhard, acting secretary pro tem