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HomeMy WebLinkAboutDAC 09/26/1983DOWNTOWN ADVISORY COMMITTEE MINUTES September 26, 1983 Present: Chairman Seifert, Stearns, Spiezio, Tartufo, D'Onofrio, Anagnos, Durbano, Jackson*. Planning Director Mannarino and DPW Director Zeneski 1. Meeting called to order at 7:30 P.M. 2. Correspondence Letter from Andrew Barr, Historical Commission, to the DAC regarding the railroad pump house. Letter from Joseph Zeneski to Cataldo Associates regarding the PWED Project. 3. David Grant - Status of Train Station Mr. Grant appeared before the committee and presented a plan of the railroad property showing ownership. He said that the val plan is missing at the time. The land that the station sits on is still unclear as to who owns it. It will not be clear as to who owns it until the val.sheet is obtained. David Grant feels that possibly the MBTA owns it. He also said that Boston Survey Consultants may have a copy of the val sheet. It was pointed out that the DAC has no money to spend on a title search. Richard D'Onofrio will discuss this with the Selectmen. Chairman Seifert requested that the Planning Director contact William Vernon to find out the status of the Mass. Transit Bill which would allow for more funding. He also requested that he follow-up on the appraisal value of the land for the swap. He should also ask Mr. Vernon about constructing two shelters due to the number of riders. These would be located on the inbound side of the tracks. The MBTA will be paving the River Street parking area. It was pointed out that there should be coordination when the construction starts so that there will not be a parking crunch, i.e. a time table. Joseph Zeneski said he would like to get the paving done this fall. *A public Hearing began at 8 P.M. Copy of transcript on file. 4. COMPARK Chairman Seifert informed the committee that he and Chadwick Maurer met with the people from Graphic Labs regarding the land swap. He said that it appeared, at one point, that this was not going to be possible. Therefore, the engineers came up with another concept not using the land swap property. Since that meeting when it looked as though they were not going to cooperate, it now looks like Graphic Labs will DAC Minutes Page 2 September 26, 1983 participate in a land swap. John Connors is also agreeable. The boundary would have to be stated off of Winter Street and Graphic Labs would like a private access to get to their pro- perty. The town will be paying for fencing and the other people would be paying for gates. This would be the original concept approved at town meeting utilizing the maximum amount of land including the land swap property. They have looked at alternatives without the land swap property. The DPW Director informed the committee that this is not efficient. They are please that they can work with the original concept. This is also the concept the committee chose. The items to be installed are: Drainage, landscaping, gardrail, ect. Fees will be collected through a parking sticker system. *Area No. 2 - Chauncy Street (Route 106) North Main Street intersection is eligible for High Hazard Assistance from the State to rebuild this. 5. Preliminary Cost Estimate Sheet for Downtown Improvements Joseph Zeneski, DPW Director, presented each committee member with a copy of the preliminary cost estimate sheet. This broke down the projects into 11 items. The total estimated cost for all items is $577,000. The committee went through the items as listed on the sheet. _. Item No. 1 Joseph Zeneski said that this involves the truck traffic coming from the industrial park. This would consist of making Oakland Street two way, which was an idea from the committee. Pratt Street should remain two way. $38,000 Item No. 2 The Rumford and Thomas Streets parking lot. This would consist of 27 parking spaces and consists of designing the traffic flow. - $36,000. Item No. 4 Commuter parking lot consisting of 185 spaces - $120,000. Item No. 5 Old Colony Way - 31 spaces for parking. This would probably be reduced due to the driveway openings. - $63,000. At this point, Joseph Zeneski suggested that the committee prioritize the 11 items listed since they do not have enough money to complete all of them. He suggested starting in the middle and working out. The bridges and the underground wiring are under a separate grant. DAC Minutes Page 3 September 26, 1983 6. Listing of the Committee's Priority Items Priority No. 1 - Commuter Parking Lot (3) - $120,000 Priority No. 2 - West Church St./N. Main St. Intersection (8) $45,000 combined with Samoset/N. Main St. Intersection (9) - $60,000 Priority No. 3 - Rumford St./Thomas St. Parking Lot (3) - $36,000 Priority No. 4 - Court St. Widening (11) - $18,000 Priority No. 5 - Old Colony Rd., north of W. Cottage St. Diagnol Parking - (5) - $63,000. This will be limited to the land taken at approximately $14,000 Priority No. 6 - Old Colony Parking Lot - Samoset St. to Court St. (10) - $130,000. This will be a limited start - portion of parking to approximately Currivan's property, tie-in walkway parking lot to Court St. 7. Fulton Street Circulation Recommendation The committee received a letter from the Town Manager regarding a Fulton Street traffic study. Several complaints have been received from residents concerning traffic. There were four suggestions listed. These are: 1. Make Fulton Street one-way from N. Main to Rumford 2. Make Fulton Street one-way from Rumford to N. Main Both 1 and 2 would have parking on one side only 3. Eliminate parking on both sides 4. Keep as is. It was pointed out that the high of the traffic is in the summer as it is seasonal due to Sweet N' Crafty. It may start to diminish during the winter months. There was discussion as to what parking signs are presently there and whether they are enforced. A suggestion was to post no parking here to corner and have it enforced. Joseph Mannarino pointed out that his observation was that many people are using Fulton Street to avoid the intersection of West and N. Main. The majority of the drivers traveled from Rumford to N. Main. He suggested making Fulton Street one-way going westerly, and to allow parking on one side of the street. It was suggested to have the committee members drive through to see if there is a long-term solution. Motion: To table this discussion until the next meeting and have members observe. Also to have Joseph Mannarino talk to Sweet N' Crafty and neighbors for suggestions. (Stearns - Spiezio, all in favor) VOTED 8. Other Business Edward Tartufo suggested that the committee review the downtown zoning regulations. Chairman Seifert said that the Planning 'DAC Minutes Psge 4 September 26, 1983 o-' Board is working on a master plan. He suggested working it with this. Grace Genatossio said that at the time, the Planning Board may have other priorities other than downtown zoning. The board would consider a recommendation from the DAC. Edward Tartufo feels that theyshould review the present regulations and the require- ments for business coming in. Chairman Seifert pointed out that the committee is presently working on additional parking of approximately 100 spaces. He also pointed out that in 1977 a master plan for the downtown development was composed. This addressed streets, parking, zoning, improvements, and private capital. He suggested that the committee review this. Edward Tartufo said he feels that the standards and guidelines should be tightened up to a more strick interpretation. *Decision To look at the Blair Master Plan and the Downtown Committees' report composed in 1977. A copy of the 1977 report will be sent out to each member prior to the next meeting for their review. 9. Date of Next Meeting is Monday, October 24, 1983, at 7:30 P.M. 10. Adjournment 10 P.M. CHAIRMAN DATE