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HomeMy WebLinkAboutDAC 02/27/1984DOWNTOWN ADVISORY COMMITTEE'S MINUTES February 27, 1984 Present: Chairman Seifert, D'Onofrio, Carpenter, Anagnos, Stearns, Tartufo, and Durbano* DPW Director, Joseph Zeneski 1. Meeting called to order at 7:30 P.M. 2. Correspondence Letter from Richard D'Onofrio to Francis Gay of GATRA requesting their support in seeking an MTA grant to provide shelter at the Mansfield train station. Richard D'Onofrio informed the Committee that GATRA has not had a meeting since this. Letter from William Vernon, State Representative, to Ralph Seifert stating that he has contact Mr. Patrick Jordan, Chief Railroad Services Officer, who assured him he will assist the Town with their plans for train shelters. Memorandum from Joseph Zeneski, DPW Director, to the DAC stating that he met with Robert Tierney, DPW Commissioner, to discuss the schedule for expenditure of the P.W.E.D. grant money. The approved schedule is: February: Review of final drawings March: Bidding April: Contract Awarded *Construction would begin in April and be completed by the end of summer. 3. Commuter Parking Lot Richard D'Onofrio informed the Committee that the complete parking lot is filled to capacity; therefore, this should be left as a large, flat area to maximize parking spaces. He also stated that there was an increase in the number of commuters about one year ago; and he expects to see another increase in March of 1984. The MBTA is suppose to add at least two trains for Mansfield, which will be running until 11 P.M. Also there will be an express train which will only stop in Mansfield. They are fine tuning the schedule now. There was discussion regard- ing the idea of opening up the east Foxboro train station. It was noted that there is a large amount of space which could be used for parking. Downtown Advisory Committee's minutes Page 2 February 27, 1984 4. Underground Telephone Utilities Richard D'Onofrio informed the Committee that there was a Light Commissioners' meeting held on the 13th. At that meeting, John Larch, Light Department Director, discussed the current status of installing wires underground. He feels that the Telephone Company expects to pick up the total cost, as they are estimat- ing $200 per foot, and there is approximately 1,000 feet. The Town will be doing the trenching, ect; therefore, it is difficult to understand the estimated $200 per foot. Mr. Larch was requested to check on this, which he is going to do. The industrial park has been contact regarding problems they may be having with their telephones. The Town Meeting will probably be delayed, as per a request from the Finance Committee; therefore, at the Committee's next meeting, they will concentrate on any articles in the warrant that will affect them and be prepared for comments. 5. Planning Board's Recommended DAC's Work Program The Committee received a letter from the Planning Board recom- mending the DAC's Work Program for 1984, as follows: 1. Implement Downtown Improvements Grant. 2. Railroad Station Study 3. Spaulding School Study 4. Master Plan element for the Downtown District. It was the concensus of the Committee to send the Planning Board a letter stating that they are currently analyzing Nos. 1, 2, and 3, and they shall continue on. At their March meeting, they will discuss the Master Plan downtown district element. The Planning Board's Chairwoman, Grace Genatossio, informed the Committee that the Board is presently working on the first element of the Master Plan: Recreation and Conservation. 6. Mansfield Rotary Expedition Chairman Seifert informed the Committee that the Mansfield Rotary Expedition will be held on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday at the Sheraton. The hours will be from 1:00 to 9:30 P.M. on Friday and Saturday, and from 1:00 to 5:30 P.M. on Sunday. Parks and Recrea- tion will be occupying one booth. The Rotary Club donated $15,000 to parks and recreation to construct a children's park within Memorial Park. The model of the children's park along with the Master Plan for Memorial Park will be displayed at the expedition. The second booth has been given to the Downtown Advisory Committee for the rendering of the downtown area. Everett Associates' designs regarding the detail of Main Street will be displayed. Downtown Advisory Committee's minutes Page 3 February 27, 1984 In may cases, their proposals have been implemented. The Town grant work will also be displayed on easels. This will be a passive display. Ralph Seifert and Rod Stearns will be at the expedition to work the show. If any other members would like to volunteer, they are welcome to attend. Chairman Seifert said he thinks the Committee should also focus on the Spaulding School, i.e., a picture and a suggestion box. He expects approximately 12,000 to 15,000 people in these three days. 7. Spaulding School In reference to the notice that appeared in the paper regarding uses for the Spaulding School, the Committee received the follow- ing suggestions: 1. Selling the school to help pay for the new roof at the High School. 2. Meals on Wheels, which is a food service set up to pro- vide the elderly with a hot meal. This is also funded federally. 3. Temporary shelter for various groups, i.e., homeless families, victims of personal tragedies, ect. 8. Court Street and North Main Street A representative from the Mansfield Co -Operative Bank suggested changed the exit and entrance to the public parking lot and posting signs. Presently, the parking lot is existing where the bank's traffic is entering. Hopefully, this will help the congestion in the area. He also noted that people are using their driveway to exit on the the Main Street. *Anthony Durbano entered the meeting. Motion: To take a five-minute recess (D'Onofrio - Stearns, all in favor) VOTED *Joseph Zeneski, DPW Director, entered the meeting. Joseph Zeneski presented a proposed plan of Court Street. He stated the original proposal was to widen Court Street along the line of the Old Colony right-of-way; and basically, to cut back the sidewalk on the south side and re -align the property line. This would require land taken. He has spoken to the neighbors, and the strongest opposition regarding Court Street widening, is the land taking. It was originally proposed to have a 28' travel lane, which would provide for safe two-way traffic, with two, 6' sidewalks, which is standard. To maintain two- way traffic and safety, parking would have to be restricted. Presently, signs are not posted permitted or restricting parking. It was pointed out that there is not enough pedestrian traffic for two sidewalks. Downtown Advisory Committee's minutes Page 4 February 27, 1984 At this point, Chairman Seifert suggested abandoning the side- walk on the right side and correcting the drainage problem; and improve the sidewalk on the left side and restrict parking. This suggestion did not satisfy all residence concerns. Joseph Zeneski suggested eliminating the sidewalk on the south side, and put it on the north side. On the south side, a berm would be constructed where the sidewalk presently abuts the property line. Along with the sidewalk on the north side, a catchbasin would be installed, thereby correcting the drainage problem. This would allow for a 28' two-way travel lane, which is standard, and one, six-foot sidewalk. No land taken would be necessary, excluding the angling of the corners. This was agreed upon to be the most satisfactory. What needs to be done now is to identify the true property lines to assure they are correct. The drawings for the Lombardi property have been completed and will be ready for review for the 'March meeting. 9. Kevin McNatt - Proposed Walkway/Greenway At this point, Kevin McNatt presented the Committee with a copy of his proposal for the development of a public walkway/greenway along a section of the town -owned Old Colony right-of-way. The section, to be closed to motor vehicles, is located between Park Street and Court Street, and extends northerly from Court Street towards North Main Street. A copy of this proposal will be sent to all members for their review to comment at the next meeting. 10. Rumford, Thomas, and Old Colony Way Parking Proposal This proposal would create 30 spaces in the corner, which would use the right-of-way land. Driveway openings that exist on the west side of Old Colony Way will be eliminated. This was agreed upon by Peter Saunders on the site plan. Access to his building would be Rumford Avenue only. 11. Date of Next Meeting is Monday, March 26, 1984, at 7:30 P.M. 12. Motion: To adjourn (Anagnos - Stearns, all in favor) VOTED Adjournment at 9:30 P.M.