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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.