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HomeMy WebLinkAboutDAC 10/24/1983DOWNTOWN ADVISORY COMMITTEE'S AGENDA MONDAY, OCTOBER 24, 1983 1. Correspondence 2. Status report from Historical Commission regarding railroad pump house - Andrew Barr 3. Status of ownership of land under present station - David Grant Drawings of the plot identifying North Common, current station, Route 106, and tracks. 4. Report of the Planning Director (a) Status of Transportation Bill and specific benefits to Mansfield. (b) Status of appraisals for land swap (c) Make request to MBTA for two shelters on inbound side (d) Review of agreement reached between Graphic Labs and John Connors (e) Prepare article for Special Town Meeting for land taking to accomplish Priority No. 5 5. Report of the DPW Director (a) Time table for saving town parking lot/ Graphic Labs and Connors. agreement (b) Best guess when MBIA will do theirs (c) Status report and time table to rebuild Rt. 106/N. Main St. intersection under high hazard assistance (d) Report on striping parking spaces on N. Main Street (e) Report on meeting with Pales Fuel (f) Report on meeting with Green (owners of Carpets, Ect.) (g) Report on on placing telephone, electric, and other utility lines underground in the project area (h) Review of cost estimate under Priority No. 2 (i) Comments on Priority Items Nos. 3, 4, and 6 6. Committee Review (a) Fulton Street circulation (tabled 9/26/83) (b) Have available for committee review the Blair Report in total (c) Review of 1977 DDC Report. Downtown Advisory Committee's Agenda Page 2 October 24, 1983 (c) Review of DDC Report A Master Plan to Downtown Mansfield 1) What has been accomplished? 2) What still has to be done to complete minor and major projects (d) Should the committee have accepted the Planning Board's request to include the Spaulding School and railroad station in our review? (e) In light of c and d, should the committee sunset itself at this time? 7. Other 8. Adjournment DOWNTOWN ADVISORY COMMITTEE'S MINUTES October 24, 1983 Present: Chairman Seifert, Stearns, Tartufo, D'Onofrio, Durbano Joseph Zeneski, DPW Director; and Andrew Barr, Historical Commission. 1. Meeting called to order at 7:30 P.M. 2. Correspondence Bill from the Mansfield Press in the amount of $18.45 for the public hearing notice. Letter from Andrew Barr to the DAC regarding the railroad pump house. Letters from the residents on Highland Avenue regarding their concerns of increased parking and the necessity of a sidewalk due to the train parking facilities. Letter from the Planning Board to the DAC regarding the use of the Planning Director's time. 3. Andrew Barr - Railroad Pump House Andrew Barr appeared before the DAC and read a letter from the Historical Commission. This letter stated that the Commission voted 6 to 1 to drop the campaign toward saving the railroad pump house. One of the reasons was that it has been altered, and some of the members felt that it would cost too much to bring it back to the way it was. At this point, Chairman Seifert asked Andrew Barr if he felt the Spaulding School should be moved. He requested that he take this idea back to his Commission to see if there is an interest; and if so, how far could the school be moved. Andrew Barr said that the problem with doing this would be the funds. One of the reasons they dropped the pump house is that they are trying to raise funds to finish their survey. After this survey is completed, they can concentrate on items such as this. He pointed out that the MBIA does not want the pump house building where it is, and they would like it moved. . .. .. .. .. .. .. . 4. Status of Ownership of Land Under Present Station Richard D'Onofrio informed the DAC that he has seen a map which shows a line going through the middle of the station. One side of the line is owned by MBTA and the other is owned by Conrail. The town does own North Common. There is nothing that is going to be done for improvements of facilities where the station is located right now. The MBTA did not know that they did not own the property. They will probably proceed and purchase this DAC minutes Page 2 October 24, 1983 this property from Conrail. Richard D'Onofrio said he does not see the MBTA doing anything with the present station. 5. Report of the Planning Director (a) Status of Transportation Bill: Mr. Vernon stated that this issue has passed the house and is waiting action in the Senate. He does not know how lona it will take to be voted. He will keep the DAC informed of the status. The funds available will be used for upgrading the State transportation system—such as, the MBIA, MDC, and DPW. Mansfield will benefit from newer rail facilities and highway improvements. Chairman Seifert questioned what the newer rail facilities might be. (b) Status of appraisals for land swap: In the Planning Director's memorandum, he stated that there are no new developments on this matter. Chairman Seifert said that the DAC was promised these appraisals within 60 days. Richard D'Onofrio will check with Andy Warren of the MBIA. (c) Shelters on inbound side of tracks: Mr. Vernon will be initiating the request to the MBTA. He will be updating the Committee on his progress. (d) Land Swap — Graphic Labs and John Connor: Chadwick Maurer appeared before the DAC and informed them that the town was to give 16,533 sq. ft. of land to Graphic Labs and would be receiving 17,981 sq. ft. The difference between the swap was suppose to be made up by the amount of land John Connors would give to Graphic vs. what the town would give to John Connors. This was voted at the Town Meeting last spring. Mr. Maurer had been given the impression from Graphic that they were able to reach an agreement. This is not true. Graphic is presently asking for two things from the Town: First, in order to make up the difference in the swap, the town deed a pie -shaped piece of land to Graphic, who will then work out an agreement with John Connors. This would require a Special Town Meeting article to deed the parcel to Graphic. Second, Graphic wants the Town to provide their back land with access. Chadwick Maurer said he feels this second request is unacceptable. By deeding the pie -shaped parcel, the land swap is equal. There was discussion regard- ing whether or not the town should provide access to their back land. Richard D'Onofrio said that the town is trying to provide controlled access for commuter parking. This would not return the town anything except increased problems in the future. Mr. Maurer was concerned with what they can utilize the back land as. He also pointed out what the town would have to give up in order to do this. Motion: To deed the pie -shaped parcel to Graphic Labs and go with Option No. 1 for the development of the commuter parking. (D'Onofrio - Stearns) VOTED Opposed - Seifert DAC minutes Pa,gL, 3 October 24, 1983 E Chadwick Maurer informed the DAC that the deed is prepared, and it will be presented to the Selectmen Wednesday night to have them sign it. € Motion: If Graphic Labs does not agree to the land swap, as addressed in the previous motion, by November 3, 1983, then the town will go with Alternative No. 5 and pave what they own. (D'Onofrio - Tartufo, all in favor) VOTED Joseph Zeneski informed the DAC that all of the hot top could be done by late November. (e) Article for Priority No. 5 - Brogna Parcel: It was stated that no article was prepared for the Special Town Meeting, and the warrant has been closed. It was posted last Friday. No one has contacted the Brogna's yet. Chadwick Maurer said it would be best to contact the people to negotiate. He will be doing this, and he will report back to the DAC at their January meeting. 6. Report of the DPW Director: (a) Commuter Parking Lot: The grading plan is set. Drainage will be a major construction project. They have already gone to bid for paving. The price that was quoted was very conservative. It can be done for much less. Joseph Zeneski needs to have the deed in hand to show the State that the town owns the land. Next would be drainage, grading, and paving. The contractor said he could do the grading and paving in three working days. This could possible be done on a Thursday, Friday, and Saturday. They would need to plan this one week ahead of time and also inform the commuters where they can park, as it will all have to be done at the same time. The timing is mid to late Nov. (b) MBIA: Joseph Zeneski informed the DAC that he received petitions from residents who live in the vacinity of Draper/River Avenues. They are concerned with the safety of handicapped people and school children. They have requested a sidewalk on Highland Avenue. They also pointed out that there is alot of truck traffic from Clemmey on the road. The time guess on when the MBTA will do their portion is in the spring. Joseph Zeneski will be looking at the Highland Avenue situation. He will obtain an estimate for the installation of a sidewalk and find out if there is enough money left to install one. He will have this information for the next DAC meeting. It was stated that there will be lighting within the parking lot, and he has been out there with John Larch. (c) Rt. 106/N. Main St. Intersection - High Hazard Assistance: He has contacted the State, and they have received the applicatio The project review committee has not met in 18 months. He was informed that it is a worthwhile project, but was informed not t to expect to have it done soon. Concensus: To send Mr. Vernon a letter on the status of this and inform him what the Department of Public Works has said. Joseph Zeneski will prepare this letter, and Chairman Seifert will sign it. DAC minutes Pa,g-, 4 October 24, 1983 (d) Report on striping parking spaces - N. Main St.: Joseph Zeneski informed the DAC that the painter has done some work on N. Main Street, and people are parking within the designated spaces. After the last meeting, he contacted Jimmy from the pub. He does not want to cooperate. He also pointed out that he has not come to obtain a driveway opening permit yet. (e) Fales Fuel: Joseph Zeneski has met with them in the past. There is a problem with access to the parking lot. Mary Frisoli owns a pie -shaped sliver that extends to the center of High Street. She presently has fenced in approximately 18 feet more than what she owns. The land which she used to lease from the railroad is located in the back. How this is resolved will affect Fales Fuel. There was discussion regarding erecting a sign for the future site of the middle common, sponsored by the Rotary Club. There was discussion of proposals for the traffic circulation. Motion: To request that the Selectmen allow Joseph Zeneski to experiment with alternative traffic flows for the Old Colony parking. (Stearns - D'Onofrio, all in favor) VOTED (f) Carpets Ect. - Green: They are interested in giving the Town the land to extend the Brogna parcel out towards Sannies. They would like their tractor trailer traffic coming in N. Main St. and going out Old Colony Way. Joseph Zeneski said he has no technical problems with this.,. There could be a break in the i inlet. - Waiting till Town Meeting. (g) Utility lines underground: John Larch, Light Department Director, has been dealing with the engineers on these items. He is waiting for the plans to come back from the engineers. NOTE: To ask John Larch for a report on this for the next DAC meeting. (h) Cost estimate Priority No. 2: Joseph Zeneski informed the DAC that the price is high. The drawings will be available on November 7, 1983, if anyone would like to review them. He will have a better cost estimate at the next meeting. (i) Priority Items Nos. 3, 4, and 6: The cost for these items included the design. These items are: 3 = Rumford/Thomas Streets parking lot; 4 = Court Street widening; 6 = Old Colony Parking limited start. He has discussed these items with the engineers. In addition, they will be doing drainage and curb replacement/ repairing. This has to be done. All these items will be included in the drawings that are being composed now. In reference to the two bridges, Cataldo Associates have been working with the State; and everything is going smooth. 7. Committee Review (a) Fulton Street Circulation:. Chadwick Maurer informed the DAC that he received recommendations from the Police, Fire, and DPW Depart- ments. Richard D'Onofrio informed that DAC that there is presently parking on the right side of the street from N. Main to Rumford. DAC minutes pa,gL. 5 October 24, 1983 There have been no additional complaints recently. Motion: To recommend that no action need be taken (Tartufo - Stearns, all in favor) VOTED Chairman Seifert informed the committee members that the Blair report was in the other room if any of the members would like to review it. He also informed them that it is quite extensive. All members received a copy of the 1977 Downtown Report in the mail. It was designed by the committee to be the downtown master plan. Chadwick Maurer suggested that the DAC meet with the Planning Board to discuss how the committee evolved. It was pointed out that the DAC members are appointed by the Planning Board. They consist of represen- tatives of other committees and members at large. The committee should also discuss with the Planning Board their future goals, i.e, what they have accomplished and what still needs to be accomplished: Redefining DAC's goals and objectives. Chairman Seifert will set the date for the committee to meet with the Planning Board and notices will be sent out. 8. Date of Next Meeting is November 28, 1983, at 7:30 P.M. 9. Adjournment 9:00 P.M.