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HomeMy WebLinkAboutDAC 04/23/1984DOWNTOWN ADVISORY COMMITTEE'S MINUTES April 23, 1984 Present: Chairman Seifert, McNatt, Carpenter, Tartufo, Jackson and Anagnos Joseph Zeneski, Town Engineer 1. Meeting called to order at 7:30 P.M. 2. Correspondence Letter from the Planning Board to Ralph Seifert advising that Ronald Doucette has resigned from the DAC and Grace Genatossio will be the Board's new representative with Marydee Flynn as an alternate. Letter from the Conservation Commission to Ralph Seifert stating that Anthony Durbano with no longer be their representative as he has been appointed Chairman; and David Benjamin will replace him. Letter from the Planning Board to Ralph Seifert reguesting that the Committee vote on the downtown engineering plans and send their recommendation to the Board prior to April 23, 1984. Letter from the Trinity Baptist Church to Joseph Mannarino requesting permission to rent or buy the Spaulding School for their services. Copy of a letter from the Board of Selectmen to the DAC advising that the joint meeting scheduled for April 11, 1984 has been cancelled. Letter from the downtown merchants regarding parking spaces. Copy of a memorandum from the Cabot, Cabot & Forbes Industrial Park to NEID regarding Mansfield telephone survey of occupants of CC&F Park. 3. Spaulding School Dr. Leko of Attleboro appeared before the DAC. He stating he is interested in using the Spaulding School as apartments. He is also interested in the beauty of the community. He has been in the building with his architect. They feel they could put in eight apartments with two studio apartments. They would like to do something for the community, i.e., first floor for the elderly. If the DAC is interested, he will have some preliminary sketches drawn up. DAC's minutes Page 2 April 23, 1984 Chairman Seifert suggested that he talk to Joseph Mannarino, Planning Director, regarding his proposal; and also obtain a copy of the Zoning By-law to comply with the parking regulations, ect. 4. Re -organization Chairman Seifert said that at the next meeting, he would like to re -organize and call for a new chairman. 5. Downtown. Engineering Plans Joseph Zeneski presented the plans and stated the engineer's recommendation for the downtown. This is to have Samoset Ave. extended through the "S" type curve out on to N. Main St.; a middle common to be built; the street to be widened to 40' permitting seven spaces of parking along the east side on N. Main St.; a planted island at the intersection of Old Colony Way, N. Main St., and Church Street that would provide an extension of the middle common theme; and a traffic island with parking along the curb. This proposal is similar to what currently exists now. He pointed out that there has been some concern about the green space and why not make it a parking lot. The last time this discussion came up, which was at the Planning Board's meeting Wednesday night, the people who live in the area were not able to make their contribution as to the traffic. Mr. Zeneski noted that these designs are not only to provide parking but to improve the traffic flow. Pat Brennon of TAMS designed plans maximizing parking, as requested at the Planning Board's meeting. One of the designs showed the traffic coming in Samoset and out Old Colony Way onto North Main Street. This would make the traffic turn crossing traffic onto N. Main St., which is unsafe. If you cut the island back and put per- pendicular parking in, although you get parking spaces, you have cars backing out in to two-way traffic. The engineer has recommended strongly against any of those alternatives. Motion: To widen the opening in to Samoset from N. Main as much as possible on the north and south, to install some type of rubble divider to identify entrance/exit traffic. This island should be such that Fales' trucks may drive over it. Also the Committee reserves the right to put in additional parking at a later date if required; therefore, no shrubs and trees will be planted on the middle common until a later date. (Tartufo - Jackson, all in favor) VOTED Sheet Defining N Main, Samoset, High, and Church Streets There is a need for better definition of driveway openings. Joseph Zeneski explained that from N. Main to Cottage it becomes wider and there will be parking on both sides of the street. Motion: To accept the plan as presented (Anagnos - Carpenter, all in favor) VOTED DAC's minutes Page 3 April 23, 1984 Court Street The plans showed a sidewalk on both sides of the street with granite curbing Type VB. The walkway is 5' on one side and 6' on the other side. The street is 24' wide. The Committee noted that it was previously discussed to eliminate the side- walk on the south side & put it on the north side, and on the south side, a berm would be constructed. Motion: To eliminate the sidewalk on the south side and lengthen the radious on the corners. There will be a 24' roadway from existing sidewalk to curb- ing on the other side. The Committee is also concerned with the pole near DeLong's driveway. (McNatt - Carpenter, all in favor) VOTED Old Colony Way Kevin McNatt pointed out that there needs to be clarification of the Town's ownership of property abutting the railbed. It may not be a straight light as thought. Motion: To eliminate the sidewalk on the east side (McNatt - Jackson) NO VOTE TAKEN There was discussion regarding a walkway from Park Street to Old Colony Way, as it was not shown on the plan and the committee thought there was a walkway proposed. Motion: To construct a walkway from Park Street to Old Colony Way with lighting. (McNatt - Genatossio, all in favor) VOTED Kevin McNatt suggested that the rumble strip be eliminated near Fales as it is not really necessary. The dumpsters will be on private property. The sidewalk as shown on the plan is 7'. This may be for the overhang of larger cars. There was discussion regarding installing a walkway down the middle. It was also suggested to request a variance to install the sidewalk on the west side and use the sidewalk as the required buffer. This was considered the best alterna- tive by the committee. The driveway opening will have to be larger behind Schofield. If the sidewalk is installed on the west side, there should also be a overhang for the cars. Therefore, the requirement of a 10' buffer strip may be complied with and a variance may not be necessary. Motion: To approve the design as amended to include the sidewalk to be constructed on the west side and to serve as the buffer; a walkway be constructed from Park Street to Old Colony Way; extend the construction up Shawmut Ave.; the driveway opening at Schofield to be 47'; f, eliminate one of the rumble strips; cut back the radious onto Shawmut Ave; and provide an opening near corner on Shawmut Avenue. (Genatossio - Tartufo, all in favor) VOTED DAC's minutes Page 4 April 23, 1984 North Main Street There will be no parking on North Main on the west side up to Cottage Street. The street widens at Stearns. There is a buldge shown on the plan near W. Cottage St. The Committee suggested cutting this back and allowing parking. Joseph Zeneski will pursue this. Traffic will be permitted to cross from Cottage to W. Cottage St. The parking at Stearns will be made diagnol. The driveway opening at Sannies is not necessary, as per discussions with the owner. The sidewalks are the same size as they are now, and the corners will be rounded. Motion: To approve as amended (Anagnos - Jackson, all in favor) VOTED Rumford, Old Colony, and Thomas Street Parking Lot These engineering drawings are not completed yet. Joseph Zeneski requested that the committee consider this. This will provide 28 spaces. No buffer will be necessary except possibly near Peter Saunders' building. This will be two hour parking. 6. Strin of Land between Stearns and Old This land is owned by Za££ini et ali. Chadwick Maurer and Nick Anagnos are suppose to negotiate with the owners. A gentleman stopped in to advise Nick Anagnos that Mrs. Zaffini is not well and is not ready to discuss this. There is a dispute over the price. This is being appraised. The Selectmen are sponsoring the article for Town Meeting. 7. Town Meeting Articles Chairman,Seifert informed the committee that there are three articles they should be aware of. These are Articles Nos. 20, 21, and 43. Article No. 20 refers to a piece of land off Old Colony Way; Article No. 21 refers to a parcel of land adjacent to the railroad parking lot; and Article No. 43 refers to selling the municipal parking lot located on the westerly side of N. Main St. Motion: To recommend to Town Meeting that this municipal parking lot not be sold as it is a municipal parking lot and currently being used for municipal parking downtown. The community should take a stand to not have this sold. Also parking is absolutely necessary downtown. (Tartufo - Genatossio, all in favor) VOTED Edward Tartufo will present this recommendation at Town Meeting. 8. Date of Next Meeting is Monday, May 21, 1984, at 7:30 P.M. 9. Adjournment 10:00 P.M.