HomeMy WebLinkAbout2015-9-15PW
Z1
Town and County of Nantucket
ROADS AND RIGHT OF WAY COMMITTEE
Meeting of 15 September 2015
Conference Room of 2 Fairgrounds Road
FINAL AND APPROVED MINUTES
1. Call to Order, Approval of the Agenda, Approval of Minutes, and Public Comments.
A. Chair Allen Reinhard called the meeting to order at 4:00 PM. In attendance were
D. Anne Atherton, Kara Buzanoski (Ex Officio), Leslie Forbes, Dave Fredericks, Nat Lowell and
Allen Reinhard; there was a quorum at all times. Mike Burns, Transportation Planner, was also
present for the duration of the meeting.
Absent were Joe Marcklinger, Bert Ryder, Lee Saperstein and John Stackpole.
Guests: Bernie Bartlett, Ed Bernard, Mike Burns, Joe Hartmann and Bob Wehmueller.
The agenda was distributed was accepted.
B. The Minutes of the August 18 meeting were unanimously adopted, as distributed,
upon a motion by Mr. Lowell and a second by Mr. Fredericks.
C. Public Comment: Since a number of members of the public were in attendance to
discuss the matter of North Mill Street, it was agreed to take agenda item, number 6., out of
order.
6. Pubic Way Monuments, First Way and North Mill Street Discussion.
North Mill Street: Mr. Bartlett began the discussion by asking why North Mill Street is
being closed? Mr. Bartlett understood from Town Clerk Catherine Stover that the Mueller family
had indicated to her that they "owned the road." Mr. Bartlett explained that he has been "using
the road for over sixty years" and asked "how did we lose our rights ?"
Chairman Reinhard responded by explaining "what he knew" about the situation. North Mill
Street is a private road. Angola to Candle is public, but it is private from Prospect to Angola. He
said that he had checked with Planning Director Andrew Vorce. The Town has a sewer easement
along the road, but this does not give the Town a public right of way. Apparently, the Muellers
went to Land Court in 2002 to obtain a fee ownership of the road. The Town could have objected
at the time, but did not. However, the owners cannot block a private way, even though it is a
land - courted transaction. They must seek permission from the Board of Selectmen. All signs
have been removed. The road is no longer blocked.
Mr. Barlett responded by saying apparently the Land Court had included some language in the
deed that may have a bearing on the matter. Ms. Buzanoski and Mr. Reinhard believe that this
language is "boiler plate" and does not alter the situation. Mr. Barlett and the neighbors present
indicated that "all they wanted" was for the road to remain open.
Discussion ensued, and Mr. Bartlett produced a number of documents which he will make
available to the committee through Chairman Reinhard.
ACTION: The consensus was that the committee, through Mr. Reinhard, request that this matter
be put on the agenda for the next Board of Selectmen meeting (since the issue is time- sensitive)
in order to discuss seeking an opinion from Town Counsel as to the public's rights related to
North Mill Street. TO DO: Chairman Reinhard will follow through with the Town Manager. In
addition, the group agreed that the Town needs to establish an internal process going forward
that will bring such situations (the 2002 Land Court action relating to North Mill Street) to the
Town's attention.
First Way: Chairman Reinhard reported that the footpath is now in place and there is a
split rail fence separating the path from the roadway. Ms. Buzanoski mentioned that the Town
wanted this project completed "before school starts." A request will be made at this year's Town
Meeting for funding to do all the work needed on First Way: the footpath is the first step.
Pubic Way Markers: The committee has received a request from Mr. Vorce for the
placement of a Public Way marker at Irving. It was also noted that two are needed along Hulbert,
and perhaps Dionis. ACTION: An updated list needs to be compiled and markers installed at the
designated places.
4. Sidewalk Survey Project: Next Steps. See notes from discussion below under Projects
Update.
5. Potential Takings List: Review and Update. To be discussed at October meeting.
6. See Above.
7. Old New or Other Business:
Sconset Foot -Path: Chairman Reinhard reported that new signs have been installed at
both ends of the Sconset Foot -Path. The existing signs have been removed, and there are now
single signs at both ends of the path. ACTION: Ms. Atherton will take photos and share with the
committee.
Communications: Ms. Atherton reported that Chairman Reinhard, Secretary Saperstein
and she (Vice Chair), as newly elected officers of the committee, met to discuss ways to enhance
communications, committee operations, etc. Subsequently she has spoken with the Town Public
Outreach Manager, Jason Bridges, about updating the committee page on the Town website and
the possibility of starting a Facebook page. She will follow through and report back to the
committee.
2
8. Adjourn
The meeting was adjourned at 5:35. Next Meeting: October 20, 2015, 4:00 PM, 2 Fairgrounds
Road.
DISCUSSION OF PROJECTS UNDER WAY
Downtown Sidewalk Survey Project: This effort is well underway since the committee
competed its role in the spring. All of the information needed has been collected and recorded
and made available for subsequent action.
David Fredericks: Mr. Fredericks shared a map with the committee [See Attachment I.] depicting
prioritized sidewalk upgrades, Phase I and Phase II, the former estimated to cost $1.3 million,
and the latter $1.1 million. This is an effort he has shaped, working with the Town Manager, to
systematize work on sidewalks in the downtown area on an annual basis so that there becomes a
fixed budget every year for this purpose. It was also noted that, once a 10 -year plan for sidewalk
upgrading has been developed and adopted, it is possible that private individuals will step
forward to fund sections of it. Mr. Fredericks commented that this is a "momentum builder" and
if we (the Town) does a really "great first step, this will take off." Ms. Buzanoski concurred and
reminded the committee that her recommendation will be to have a budget line item for
sidewalks for the next 10 years in an amount of $1 million a year.
Mike Burns: Mr. Burns distributed a project description of a Nantucket Accessibility Survey to
be conducted by Worcester Polytechnic Institute (WPI) students this fall. [See Attachment II.]
The committee discussed the project and expressed support and enthusiasm for the undertaking.
In -Town Bike Path from Washington Street Extension to the Rotary: Mr. Burns reported
that progress is being made, and a pre - construction meeting will take place in February or
March. He anticipates that construction will commence in the spring of 2016.
Boulevarde to Airport - Road Takings and Reconstruction as Public Ways: Underway.
Nothing the committee needs to do but follow along.
Installation Of Sidewalk From Prospect Street Multi -Use Path to Upper Vestal Street
Bike Path Linking Surfside, Hummock Pond and Madaket Bike Paths Via Mill Hill
Surfside Paper Road/Abutters Way Takings
Access To Sconset Footpath, Maintenance And Signage
DISCUSSION OF PROJECTS IN NEED OF ADVANCEMENT
First Way Pedestrian/Bike Access and Road Improvement Safety Project
Nantucket Open Space Plan Update: Mr. Reinhard reported that we are waiting for the maps
for this important planning document. The map section is really key. ACTION: Schedule an
update for the committee when maps completed.
Nantucket Greenway and Footpath System
East Creek Road Viewing Platform And CPC Grant: Comment was made that there are CP
funds available for a viewing platform.
Harbor Walk: The responsibility for this project resides with our Committee, as per the 2008
Right of Way Improvement Plan. Ms. Forbes asked if our comment re Easy Street has been
shared with Mr. Vorce. Mr. Reinhard said it has, but is not sure of the outcome. Ms. Atherton
indicated an interest in working on this project, noting that it would be many years in the
making.
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 PROJECTS NEEDING IMPLEMENTATION AND FOLLOW UP:
Chapter 91 Public Access License Enforcement: Harbors Plan Implementation
ADDITIONAL COMMENTS
Mr. Fredericks noted that the Town is about to begin the largest public infrastructure project its
history: the expansion of the sewer system. He asked if there is a role for our committee in this?
Ms. Forbes inquired about a definitive list of what roads are public and what are private? Mr.
Reinhard responded that he reviewed the first packet of maps from Nathan Porter and there are
about 90 different pieces to it. He went on to say the list needs some refinement. Ms. Forbes
asked how does Mr. Porter knows what is public and what is private? Mr. Reinhard responded
that that is from a combination of a number of sources and that all of the sources are not in
agreement.
Respectfully submitted,
D. Anne Atherton
Secretary Pro Tem
ATTACHMENTS (2)
4
P/ v� _Y__
owls
A-
-M
umm
o
•
Stand Alone
Project
0 PJ
fin
PLO
0
Nantucket Project Center
Project Descriptions A 15/13 15
Project Title: Nantucket Accessibility Survey
IQP Division: 44 (Urban and Environmental Planning) Sequence No.: 15N6
Primary Advisor: Reinhold Ludwig Co- advisor: Dominic Golding
Project Sponsor(s): Nantucket Planning Office
Project Liaison(s): Mike Burns (MBumsnamantucket- ma.eov)
Student Team: TBD
Team Alias: NPO @wpi.edu
Workspace: PLUS, 2 Fairground Road
Improving Nantucket's pedestrian ways in a manner that serves all users while not damaging the historic
integrity and aesthetic character of the downtown historic core is a substantial challenge. The
community has a tourism -based economy with a population that swells from about 12,000 in the off-
season to over 50,000 in the peak summer season. This population depends heavily on ferry transport to
and from the island, which is provided at two wharves located in the downtown waterfront. Annually,
more than 1 million 'trips' are distributed between these two wharves resulting in heavy pedestrian
traffic in and around these locations. Unfortunately, the cobblestone streets and brick sidewalks and
crosswalks that contribute to the charm of the historic district, do not provide the level of accessibility in
all areas that is demanded by those who live and visit the island, especially for those with a disability.
Additionally, the traveling public also depends on an island -wide public transportation system, known as
The Wave, provided by the Nantucket Regional Transit Authority. This service supports nearly 300,000
trips during the peak summer season, and has a user profile consisting of tourists, seasonal residents, and
year -round residents. Just as access to and from the ferries can be a challenge for those with a disability,
access to public transportation stops around the island can also be challenging since many lack even
basic accessibility features, such as a paved apron or 'pad.'
The Town of Nantucket would like a team of students to help review accepted design standards for
accessibility, identify obstructions or design features along sidewalks in the historic downtown area and
in the vicinity of public transportation stops that present an accessibility challenge to users, and develop
a strategy for addressing these challenges while preserving the aesthetic that contributes to the historic
character of Nantucket. To address this challenge, the team will need to:
• Review accepted design standards for pedestrian facilities utilized by the Massachusetts
Department of Transportation, and research comparable communities to Nantucket for
innovative design solutions to accessibility issues.
• Conduct a walkability survey in the downtown area and around transit stops to identify and
document obstructions or design features that impact accessibility for all users. This survey
should build on and extend the survey conducted by the Nantucket Roads and Right of Way
Committee in 2015.
• Consult with local boards and agencies that advocate for the needs of the elderly and disabled, as
well as advocate for the preservation of historic resources, to review identified accessibility
issues.
• Determine priority areas and suggested design solutions for improving accessibility in a manner
that does not impact the integrity of the island's historic character.