HomeMy WebLinkAboutBOS MINUTES 4-4-1995BOARD OF SELECTMEN MINUTES
APRIL 4, 1995
MBTA COMMUTER RAIL. PARKING AREAS , n n
PRESENT: Chairman Royle, Clerk Ronald, Selectman Pasquale, and Town Manager William
Williams
GUESTS: Shaun Burke, Director of Planning and Development 1 `'
William Madan, Train Station Advisory Committee Chairman
John Pobst, SRPEDD
Craig Miller, STV Group
Frank Gay, GATRA
Geoff Slater, Director of Planning, MBTA
Vahid Ownjazayeri, Project Engineer, MBTA
1. The meeting was called to order at 2:10 PM by Chairman Royle.
Chairman Royle stated the purpose of the meeting is to listen to the MBTA's presentation on an
alternate site for MBTA commuter parking in West Mansfield.
2. MBTA Presentation
Geoff Slater introduced himself, Craig Miller of STV Group, and Vahid Ownjazayeri, Project
Manager, MBTA. Mr. Slater began the presentation stating that the MBTA is looking for a site
that will accommodate 1,600 cars and is currently looking at a site off of School Street along the
railroad tracks. Mr. Slater then showed the Selectmen, guests, and public in attendance a drawing
of what the site could look like.
3. Board of Selectmen, Town Manager, and Staff Questions and Comments
Chairman Royle stated that the Selectmen's previous position in opposition to increasing parking
at the downtown site was based upon a traffic study stating that the MBTA was looking for 1,089
additional spaces. Since that time, the Selectmen have been informed that the MBTA is looking
for 800 additional spaces at the current site rather than the 1,089. Chairman Royle continued
stating that during a meeting earlier this date the Selectmen took a consensus in favor of working
with MBTA and developing an additional 800 spaces that will not effect the community in an
adverse way.
Selectman Pasquale asked Nh•. Slater the following questions and received the respective
responses: if he is willing to conunit to 1600 spaces being the total number of spaces the MBTA
will add (Yes, Mr. Slater stated he felt it )ioidd take care of space creeds through the next fifteen:
years.), if Mr. Slater is aware that a fire station is going to be construction across the street from
the proposed lot (He was just made aware of this yesterday.), if he is aware of the close proximity
of the Plymouth Street recreational fields, if wetlands on the parcel have been reviewed (The
MBTA has not walked the site yet), if Mr. Miller has talked to anyone about the Town's land use
study (No), if the impact on the quality of life in West Mansfield has been looked at (A traffic
study has not been conducted yet), what the budget for the project is (Approximately $8
Million), if drainage has been reviewed (Yes, retention basins nril1 be installed), if it would be
possible to go back to the downtown site if only 800 spaces are added (Yes, a decision is needed
quickly.), if the MBTA would be willing to work with the Engineering Department to discuss site
buffering, what the position of the MBTA is on an access road (The MBTA cannot build the road
but can srtpport the Town's efforts in working with the State Higlmay Departmen. t).
parking area to Route 106.
William Williams, Town Manager, explained the Train Station Advisory Committees objective,
which is to reduce or eliminate traffic in the residential neighborhoods and commercial areas and
seek the best way to maintain the train station at its current location. Mr. Williams also stated
that the Conservation Commission has concerns with drainage from the lots entering the Rumford
River. Lastly Town Manager Williams stated he would like intersection improvement to be done
at the same time as the expansion, he would like to see preliminary designs for an access road
from Route 140, he would like to see traffic improvements looked at by the MBTA and he is
concerned about moving one issue to another location (West Mansfield site).
Shaun Burke, Director of Planning and Development, asked MBTA representatives the following
questions and received the respective responses: if they are committed to the West Mansfield site
(Only to additional parking.), if the parking areas will be landscaped and isolated from residential
areas, if direct access to Route 106 wilt be provided, and if an access driveway rather than
roadway can be provided by the MBTA (If the MBTA could proi,ide direct access they would,
and site distance may be a constraint. Mr. Slater also stated that he does not inapt to fink an
access road to the site with construction of additional spaces.).
William Madan, Train Station Advisory Chairman, asked the following questions and received the
respective responses: what the peek traffic hours are in West Mansfield (6:30 -8:30 and 5 :00-
7 :00), what effect a commuter station on School Street will have on traffic, if there are any plans
to repair the bridge if the station is moved to School Street, if the MBTA has read the Town's
landscape by -law (No, cis long as the MBTA can fit 800 spaces they )rill do what they cart.), if the
MBTA can provide access road to Central Street to Foxboro if it is a driveway (The MBTA
connot afford to.), and if the MBTA is prepared not to proceed with the expansion until an access
road is provided (No, the MBTA will do whatever is directly attributable to the parking lot at the
same time)
John Pobst stated that a study needs to be done to see if the Town's needs are being met
4. Public Comment
Kevin Fallon, 1132 School Street, stated that relocating the station to School Street will be
detrimental to the quality of life in the School Street area.
Ed Tartufo, Vice President, Tri -Town Chamber of Commerce read a letter from the Tri -Town
Chamber of Commerce stating it goals.
Ed Brown, Atwood Street, questioned the location of an access road and stated that lie is sure
that there would be strong objectives to an access road from his neighbors.
Leonard Flynn, member of the Train Station Advisory Committee and Natural Resources Trust,
and a Jewell Street resident, stated that he is against relocating the station to School Street.
Kevin Byrne commented on the ability of Route 106 to handle additional traffic from an
expansion.
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residents in the area of commuter lot and asked why the Town cannot get Mass Highway to make
a committenient ahead of time to construct an access road.
Brian McCafferty, Otis Street resident and member of the Tri -Town Chamber of Commerce,
stated that he would like to see a study conducted on the viability of an access road.
Carl Nelson, School Street resident, questioned the number of cars currently using School Street
to get to the downtown train station and cost to Town to maintain the current lots.
3:40 PM - Adjournment
(4Y
9erk:s��7S—ignature Dale of Approval