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Home My WebLink About2015-3-17Town and County of Nantucket ROADS AND RIGHT OF WAY COMMITTEE Meeting of 17 March 2015 Conference Room of 2 Fairgrounds Road FINAL APPROVED MINUTES 47 1. Call to Order, Approval of the Agenda, Approval of Minutes, and Public Comments A. Chair Allen Reinhard called the meeting to order at 4:01 pm. In attendance were Nat Lowell, Joe Marcklinger, Allen Reinhard, Bert Ryder (4:28 pm), and Lee Saperstein; there was a quorum at all times. Absent were D. Anne Atherton, Leslie Forbes, and John Stackpole Guests: Mike Burns and Marsha Fader B. There were no public comments. C. Chair Reinhard reminded the committee that foul weather had caused cancelation of the February meeting so that he was looking for approval of the January 20, 2015, Minutes. Accordingly Joe Marcklinger moved their acceptance, Nat Lowell seconded, and all approved. The group, similarly, accepted the proposed agenda by acclamation and also accepted the inclusion into the agenda of the proposal from the `Sconset Bluff Footpath Sign advisory group, represented by Marsha Fader. 2. `Sconset Footpath Signage Chair Reinhard introduced our guest, Marsha Fader, by reminding the committee that the `Sconset Bluff Footpath Subcommittee had recommended that some signs be placed on the path in addition to the "Public Way" Monuments that are at either end of the path. The existing ones are the upright granite monument at the entrance by Gully Road and a flat, granite marker at 67 Baxter Road, the location of the lateral way at the northern end of the path. Marsha Fader then introduced the proposal for signs that Allen Reinhard had circulated to the group previously. It is attached as a separate file. The group discussed potential opening hours because the text on the sign is slightly different from that proposed originally by the subcommittee. Because the proposed text, from "sunrise to sunset" matches that in all other open lands, the group agreed with the new proposal. Marsha Fader also talked about the colors for the text and background; they are illustrated on the proposal. The sign proposed for the beginning at Gulley Road conveys the sense of expected behavior without using a lot of prohibitive wording. The sign at the other end is in similar colors and explains that erosion has ended the path at this point. Nat Lowell said that he liked it: both format and content. He also asked if it would need HDC approval. Lee Saperstein suggested that it would and explained briefly the process for obtaining a Certificate of Appropriateness for signs. Marsha Fader said that she had been on the HDC and was familiar with the process. Allen Reinhard then introduced the, third sign, which is an up -right wooden post to be put in front of the lateral way at 67 Baxter Road. Nat Lowell asked about other lateral ways and whether or not they would be marked. He suggested that we not over advertise to keep residents happy. He reminded us that the use rules, including hours of opening, belong to the Town and that we should match other land managers' rules. Marsha Fader told us that the signs are a gift to the Town but she was unclear as to how they might be installed. It was agreed that we would arrange for installation once they were approved. Allen Reinhard then asked if we approved the three signs. Lee Saperstein asked about the third sign, the upright that said "Footpath" versus using another granite "public way" marker. Because there is already a public way marker at that point, which should remain, the group agreed to stay with the proposal. Joe Marcklinger moved approval; Nat Lowell seconded; and the group agreed unanimously. 3. Possible Committee Expansion to Nine Members. Allen Reinhard explained that Dave Fredericks has asked about joining the committee. He attended our last meeting in January to discuss updates to the Regional Transportation Plan and how our sidewalk survey might fit into it. Allen Reinhard felt that the current members all had something valuable to contribute and, yet, he hoped that we could take advantage of Dave Fredericks' expertise. Chair Reinhard asked if it would it be appropriate to enlarge the committee to nine members so that Dave Fredericks could apply for membership. Because we operate with a lot of consensus instead of contentious votes, he did not think that a nine -member committee would be too unwieldy. It will change our quorum count from four to five. Joe Marcklinger reminded the group that a new vacant position will need to be advertised and all applicants may apply. There was general consensus for Allen Reinhard to consult with the Town on this change. 4. Request from Nathan Porter to Update GIS Public/Private Ways Allen Reinhard indicated that Nathan Porter, the Town's GIS Coordinator, had asked for our review and opinion on the portrayal of public and private ways on a new set of maps. When he did not arrive at the meeting, the committee agreed to defer the issue until he can attend. Alternatively, he could submit material for us to review independently. 5. Sidewalk Survey Project Update. As soon as Allen Reinhard introduced this topic, Joe Marcklinger asked about sidewalk maintenance, particularly shoveling snow. Allen Reinhard thought that there is a Town Bylaw that requires this action after a snowstorm. He said that he would check on this with Kara Buzanoski and Libby Gibson to see if there is such a Bylaw and, if so, who has oversight with enforcement. Lee Saperstein suggested, in light of the problems that the Town had with snow clearance that, if there is any effort to rewrite rules and policy, we coordinate with the Town on such a review. Allen Reinhard said that he will confer and will report at the next meeting. Nat 2 Lowell reminded the group that Juno was an extraordinary storm and we are not likely to see another as severe soon. Returning to the issue of sidewalk survey, Lee Saperstein said that it is time to write the report. He will send Allen Reinhard copies of the Excel spreadsheets with the survey data, arranged by streets in alphabetical order and another arranged by condition from worst to best. Allen Reinhard talked about his initial steps in writing a report, which include a suggested outline. He suggested that we deal with the Town in sections, either entire streets or even neighborhoods. He felt that we could take a first step at our April 21 �` meeting with a rough draft of the report. In the end, we will present the Town a plan that they can convert into a budgeted, capital plan for repairs and rebuilding of sidewalks. We will try to give priorities to critical streets. In light of the delays brought on by the storms, he asked the group to check out streets that may have been surveyed some time ago to see their current condition. We talked about a few obvious examples such as Center, Hussey, and India Streets. The report will discuss issues with parking on narrow streets. Outside of downtown, there may be a model for repairs and rebuilding where the Town provides material (brick) to homeowners who then pay for installation. 6. Railroad Trail Project Update: Surfside route. Allen Reinhard informed the committee about the railroad trail alongside South Shore Road that is being installed by the Nantucket Island Land Bank. Neighbors to the trail have expressed their opinions about its location. Based on this input, the Land Bank has altered the design of the trail and will proceed with its construction. Lee Saperstein reported on the progress of our application to the HDC and its Sign Advisory Board. Essentially they have given their approval to the sign's design but reserved judgment on locations until we can show them just where they will go. Our next step will be to work with the land managers to get the trails cut and then we may proceed with applications for the signs themselves. 7. Old, New, or Other Business. There was none. 8. Adjourn. With the agenda completed, adjournment came at 5:35 pm. Next meeting: April 21, 2015, 4:00 p.m., 2 Fairgrounds Road. ROADS &RIGHT OF WAY COMMITTEE OUTSTANDING PROJECTS LIST: Projects Under Way: • Downtown Sidewalk Survey Project • Nantucket Railroad Trail Project 3 • In -Town Bike Path from Washington St. Ext. to Rotary • Boulevarde to Airport road takings, and reconstruction as Public Ways • 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 • Surfside paper road/abutters way takings Projects in need of advancement: • First Way Pedestrian/Bike Access and Road Improvement Safety Project • Nantucket Open Space Plan Update • Nantucket Greenway and Footpath System • East Creek Road viewing platform and CPC grant • Harbor walk • Update Potential Takings List and process used to evaluate priority for takings • Work with DPW on maintenance plan for public way monuments and trails • Oversight of maintenance: West Chester St. Ext., Crooked Lane and Cathcart Road Completed nroiects needing implementation and follow un• • Access to Sconset Footpath, maintenance and signage • Chapter 91 Public Access License Enforcement: Harbor Plan Implementation 4