HomeMy WebLinkAbout2014-2-18I"
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Town and County of Nantucket
COMMIME ON ROADS AND RIGHT OF WAY
Meeting of 18 February 2014 z N
4:00 pm in the Training Room of 2 Fairgrounds Road z r
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FINAL AND APPROVED MINUTES j rn
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1. Call to Order, Approval of the Agenda, and Approval of Minutes m
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A. Chair Allen Reinhard called the meeting to order at 4:02 pm. In attendance were 1p,�,AnR
Atherton, Nat Lowell, Joe Marcklinger, Allen Reinhard, Bert Ryder, and Lee Sa*ser tem. there
was a quorum. �' s
Guests: Ashley Erisman, Baru LaFarge, John Merson, and Charles Walters.
Not in attendance: Sylvie O'Donnell and John Stackpole.
B. The agenda was accepted unanimously. There were no comments from guests on issues not
on the agenda.
C. Approval of Minutes for meeting of January 21, 2014: Moved by D. Anne Atherton and
seconded by Joe Marcklinger; approved unanimously.
2. Core district sidewalk survey project: Survey form and sample results.
Chan Reinhard said with some regret that weather - caused delays meant that the three committee
members who were going to test the prototype survey were unable to get out; the sidewalks were
covered in snow. The prototype survey form was formatted by D. Anne Atherton and Lee
Saperstein. Allen Reinhard reviewed the form and said that he remained in favor of the 5 -point
scale on the prototype. He has previewed its use in concept but, as mentioned above, not in
practice. He was optimistic that the ranking system would reveal problem sidewalks or ways,
particularly if there was an aggregation of high (i.e. bad) numbers along one street or in one
district. Bert Ryder asked about tree heave and how that would affect the ranking. Allen
Reinhard said that the prototype form listed heave as a condition that would lead to a lower
ranking. Lee Saperstein spoke about a review of the trial results to assure ourselves that the
instructions at the top of the columns were clear enough to be confident of replicable validity: in
other words the directions would be good enough that two people who review the same sidewalk
independently arrive at the same conclusion. He also volunteered to create some clearly
understood abbreviations such as `a' for asphalt, `b' for brick, and `c' for concrete, to be used in
completing the form. D. Anne will share copies of the form with committee members.
Allen said that our final report will be to the BOS and will be derived from the forms but will be
in a written format and will have specific recommendations for sidewalk improvements. The
intention would be to give priority to those streets with significant problems. The detailed
survey work could accompany the report as an appendix.
Allen Reinhard said that he had been considering boundaries to the survey and thought that they
be bigger than just the historic downtown core; they should include the major streets walked by
residents and visitors alike. He held up a Young's Bicycle Shop map and pointed to a potential
boundary for the sidewalk survey. Rapid conversation led to the conclusion that we can draw a
boundary but that there would be prominent spokes leading away from this core. The core
would begin at the Milestone Road Rotary and go, clockwise, to Sparks Avenue, Prospect Street,
Quaker Road — alternatively, Vestal and Winn Streets to avoid the Quaker Cemetery —, New
Lane, West Chester Street, Chester Street, Easton Street to the intersection with North Beach
Street, thence returning on North Beach to Broad Street, and then continuing along the water by
Easy Street, Main Street to Straight Wharf, New Whale Street, Commercial Street, Washington
Street (and Washington Street Extension), Francis Street, Union Streek and Orange Street back
to the beginning at the Rotary. Extending spokes, also listed clockwise, would include Hooper
Farm Road to First Way and First Way to the Schools campus, Cliff Road to the beginning of its
bike path, North Beach Street to Bathing Beach Road, which has a bike path, and Easton Street
to Brant Point. Heavily used spokes beyond those listed have bicycle paths alongside of them
and, while significant, would be outside of our survey.
Chair Reinhard mentioned that First Way still needs to be improved as recommended by our
committee some time ago; it will be discussed again under the item of "Progress on Outstanding
Projects". He said that the recent construction of a sidewalk along Pleasant Street in front of
Cape Cod Five is a good example of a sidewalk that would be awarded a'l' score.
Unfortunately, further along Pleasant Street toward Main Street there are no sidewalks and that
would gain a score of `5'. All agreed with the proposed boundaries of the survey. It was also
suggested that all committee members be involved in the final, total survey and that the initial
three reviewers (Marcklinger, Reinhard, and Saperstein) also serve as trainers.
Nat Lowell asked whether or not we should recommend that dangerous trees, such as the one just
removed from in front of the Brotherhood Restaurant on Broad Street, not be replaced. Lee
Saperstein responded that he thought that all public obstructions, including trees, light and power
poles, fire hydrants, etc. be listed and left for the authorities to decide on their fate. John Merson
asked about using video recordings instead of the form. Lee Saperstein said that he understood
the benefit of video recordings but indicated that they would be difficult to share and archive.
Allen also responded that we have used photographs for other projects such as emplacement of
the Public Way monuments. Lee Saperstein suggested that the final report include selected
photographs as examples of the various categories of condition.
3. Sconaet bluff discussion: Baxter Road situation and alternative access.
Lee Saperstein suggested, in light of the number of guests who had come to hear this discussion,
that the committee move it up ahead of the discussion of the Review of the Outstanding Projects
List. All present agreed and Char Reinhard called upon D. Anne Atherton to introduce her
concerns on this issue. She said that the reason for bringing information about the `Sconset
Beach Protection Project to the Committee was a concern for public access to the water on the
eastern edge of the Island. As she began, she distributed a 7 -page, 5 -item handout: Vision and
Mission Statements for our committee, an aerial photograph of the `Sconset Bluff from the
Town's GIS file, a 1973 article by E. Stackpole about the footpath along the bluff, an undated
memorandum from Bob Mooney to Catherine (Stover, Town Clerk), and a typical cross section
of temporary slope stabilization (die geombes). She read out several segments from the
handouts. One of these was Bob Mooney's suggestion that the Bluff walk was an easement
"wherever it is ". From the aerial photograph, she pointed out that much of the original beach is
underwater (GIS map and lot references: 49 9 and 48 8). In terms of access to the beach below
the Bluff, she noted that a Public Way Monument was installed at the end of Hoicks Hollow
Road and that Gully Road leading to Codfish Park is a posted public way. In addition, some of
the recent bluff steps were licensed by the Conservation Commission and are open to the public.
She also referred to a sequence of photographs taken by the Van Lieus and posted on their web
site.
Allen Reinhard asked if there was a conclusion to her presentation, is there a motion that we
should consider. D. Anne responded that, based on our vision and mission, public access and
ways to the beach should be our concern. She wants us to tell the Board of Selectmen about the
significance and importance of the beach. Allen introduced the issue of protection for Baxter
Road, which is also a focus for our committee. He spoke about the value of Baxter Road and the
outcomes of doing something or doing nothing. He also felt that discussions about forms of
protection belong to the Conservation Commission. He asked again, what can we contribute
from our committee that has not been covered elsewhere? D. Anne Atherton responded with
another question: who speaks for the beach?
John Merson asked about access points to this beach? Chair Reinhard and several others said
that Hoicks Hollow Road to the north and the most northerly of the publicly licensed beach stairs
to the south were the two closest access points. It was noted that the licensed stairs are no longer
posted with signs indicating that they are accessible to the public. Lee Saperstein suggested that
we should find out more about the SBPF offer to build a new walkway on top of their protection
system (geotubes).
D. Anne Atherton introduced the last part of the handout, which was the typical cross - section
that also showed the boundary between private and public lands. Looking at the possibility of
the beach receding into private ownership, Bert Ryder asked if it would be possible to obtain
"one big beach" easements from the land owners.
It was agreed by the members that public access was the issue, not erosion - control methods.
Allen Reinhard suggested that a memorandum from the committee to the Board of Selectmen
through the Town Manager might be a resolution. Bert Ryder asked if D. Anne Atherton had
talked to Andrew Voree about the easement idea and she replied that she had not. Allen
Reinhard asked D. Anne Atherton to draft a memorandum for review by the Committee. A draft
could be circulated to the members for review and then it could go onto the agenda of the March
meeting for review and approval. It was agreed that such a letter should be an agenda item for
the March meeting.
4. Review Outstanding Projects List: How best to advance stalled projects? (Former
Agenda Item 3.)
Char Reinhard said that this review was originally scheduled for the last meeting but was
deferred to this one. He is concerned for the lack of progress on takings (see the list appended to
the agenda and these minutes for the complete list of projects). The three items on takings (4, 5,
and 7), Boulevarde, First Way, and Prospect St sidewalks, have been reviewed by the BOS and
some progress was recommended but in fact nothing substantial has happened. A similar
absence of activity has happened to the proposal by the committee for amendments to the
Town's Encroachment policy.
Allen Reinhard then suggested that we go over the individual items, which have been numbered
for clarity. With respect to the Open Space Plan, item 2, D. Anne Atherton had asked Andrew
Vorce for a copy of the draft but has not heard back from him on this. The issue for the
committee was the extent to which the revised Open Space Plan will present trails and pathways
on open land. For example, item 3., a discussion of the Greenway Footpath system will depend
upon its receipt.
Joe Marcklinger asked about the First Way project, item 4. In particular can we get support for
the project from the parents' support group? Allen told us that the parents are organized as
Friends of the Nantucket Public Schools, FONDS, and that this was a good suggestion. Joe
Marcklinger went on to say that this is a critically important project, not just for the mad but for
the pedestrian and bicycle ways alongside of the road as well. As reported at a previous meeting,
Allen Reinhard did meet with DPW personnel about work that could be done and that led to the
cutting of some vegetation but, since then, nothing more has been done. Nat Lowell suggested
that the new DPW engineer, Silvio Genao, attend our meetings. Lee Saperstein reminded the
group that the DPW Director is an ex officio member of the committee and she could certainly
send Mr. Genao as her representative. Bert Ryder asked, if First Way were undertaken as a
construction project, would it be necessary to go through the entire bidding process or could it be
done as a maintenance project? No one had an answer to that but it was suggested that this
would be a matter for the Town to decide. D. Anne Atherton asked if the School superintendent
should be invited to meet with us.
Allen Reinhard said that he will draft a memorandum to Kara Buzanoski, DPW Director, about
our concerns for First Way and will talk also both to FONPS and the School Superintendent. Joe
Marcklinger suggested that the next time this item is on the agenda, we should meet along First
Way.
With respect to takings on the Boulevarde and associated streets, item 5., Nat Lowell reminded
us that a number of easements have been collected from land owners, which means that some
progress has been made. Allen Reinhard related that the Surfside Association has spent money
to maintain the Boulevarde but that this recent spate of bad weather has undone much of the
work. He also said that there is no warrant article on the upcoming Annual Town Meeting for
Boulevarde takings and he was hoping for more signs of some progress.
Item 7. covers two related projects: a sidewalk installation on Prospect Street across Milk Street
to Vestal St, which would allow pedestrian access to Winn St and then onto the Madaket Road
bike path. Discussions in previous meetings included a suggestion that the Town reverse
Saratoga Road for safety, which would also provide access for a Mill Hill alternative path. Winn
Street is partly private but the developer has indicated that he could come to an agreement with
the Town for it to take the private portion.
The second part of item 7. refers to an alternate bike path and route that would cross a portion of
Mill Hill Park and eventually come out on Winn Street. Nat Lowell asked about the potential
developments along Chicken Hill, the Dorothy Egan properties, and whether or not they would
create a road, Cato Lane, that could become part of the alternative bike path. Because there is a
citizen's article for the Town to take this property, it was suggested that the question was
premature.
D. Anne Atherton also asked that we review progress on taking lateral ways to the `Sconset Bluff
Footpath, which is listed on the agenda as "completed item needing follow up." She also
suggested that we organize ourselves into action subcommittees to get progress on these items.
Chair Reinhard said that he would organize follow up steps for each of the items discussed
above.
5. Nantucket RR Trail update.
Lee Saperstein reported on a "Brown Bag" lunch -time talk to be given to the Nantucket
Historical Association on Thursday, March 271h, in Gosnell Hall; it will be called "Tracking the
Nantucket Railroad." Allen Reinhard indicated that trail cutting, originally scheduled for this
season, has been delayed by reports of unexploded ordnance (UXO) in the moors left over from
target practice in WWII. The Land Bank and Conservation Foundation are waiting for detailed
reports before sending crews to cut brush along the railroad embankment. Joe Marcklinger had
printed two copies of the route map for the railroad and there was much interest expressed in
them from people present.
6. Old, New or other business.
In a follow on from the previous item, Charles Walters said that he had heard a representative of
the Nantucket Conservation Foundation state that opening the railroad bed on their land was not
a priority. He indicated that the increase in density of scrub oak and other woody plants meant
that the roadbed was much less accessible than it had been in the past. He cautioned us of his
concern for degradation of the roadbed if it became too exposed. Allen Reinhard has noticed
that abuse of the trails on the moors has been reduced over time.
7. Adjournment.
With the agenda completed, the committee agreed to adjourn at 5:55 pm.
Next meeting: March 18, 2014, 4:00 p.m., 2 Fairgrounds Road.
R&ROW Committee Outstanding Projects List:
(1) Downtown Sidewalk Survey Project
(2) Nantucket Open Space Plan Update
(3) Nantucket Greenway and Footpath System
(4) First Way Pedestrian/Bike Access and Road Improvement Safety Project
(5) Boulevarde to Airport road takings, and reconstruction as Public Ways
(6) Nantucket Central Railroad Trail Project
(7) Installation of sidewalk from Prospect St. multi-use path to Upper Vestal Street
(g) Bike path linking Surfside, Hummock Pond & Madaket Bike paths via Mill Hill
(9) In Town Bike Path from Washington St. Ext to Rotary
(10) Spruce Street viewing platform
(11) Harbor walk
(12) Surfside paper road/abutters way takings
(13) Update Potential Takings List and process used to evaluate priority for takings
Completed projects needing implementation and follow up:
(1) Access to Sconset Footpath, maintenance and signage
(2) Work with DPW on maintenance plan for public way monuments and trails
(3) Oversight of maintenance West Chester St. Ext., Crooked Lane and Cathcart Road
(4) Chapter 91 Public Access License Enforcement: Harbors Plan Implementation