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HomeMy WebLinkAboutDAC 01/17/1983DOWNTOWN ADVISORY COMMITTEE MINUTES January 17, 1983 Present: Chairman Seifert, Acting Clerk Tartufo Members: Jackson, Durbano, Spiezio, Anagnos, and Parsons* Paul Folkman 1. Meeting called to order at 7:30 P.M. It was explained that Paul Folkman will be acting as an advisor to the DAC until the new Planning Director is hired. Visitors attending the meeting consisted of: Dick D'Onofrio, Bob Douglas, Charlie Reppeta, Francis Gay, Paul O'Neal, Helen Glenn, Carl Nelson, Dennis Vachon, Allen Johnson, and David Benjamin. 2. Motion: To have Edward Tartufo be acting clerk (Jackson - Anagnos, all in favor) VOTED 3. Correspondence Letter from Richard Howe to Paul Folkman regarding a joint application of the Town of Easton and the Town of Mansfield for the Small Cities Community Development Block Grant Program. A copy of Easton's prelimi- nary Small Cities application, which was submitted last year, was enclosed. It was the concensus of the board to send a letter to the Board of Selectmen informing the Selectmen that the DAC has reviewed this information and request that the Selectmen review it also. Letter from J. T. Cronin to Paul Folkman regarding the design and repair of locally owned bridges. Copy of a.letter from Paul Folkman to Joseph Cronin regarding the design and repair of locally owned bridges. Copy of a memorandum from W. Chadwick Maurer to the DAC regarding warrant articles for the 1983 Town Meeting. Memorandum from Mitchel Seifert to the DAC regarding the utilization of SRPEDD's time. Memorandum from Mary Connor to the DAC regarding the Annual Town Report. Letter from Stephen Smith the Ralph Seifert regarding the Public Works Economic Development Grant. The proposed request for proposals was enclosed. Kenneth Parsons entered the meeting Downtown Advisory January 17, 1983 Page 2 Committee's minutes Copy of a draft letter from Dick D'Onofrio to the MBTA Officials regard- ing Mansfield's commuter parking. Letter from Leon Lombardi to Paul Folkman regarding House Bill H-6585. Copy of a memorandum from Judith Scott to the DAC regarding appointments. The following people submitted applications for appointment to the DAC during 1982: Robert Grazewicz, Paul DeGirolamo, Arlene McIntosh, Edward Tartufo, Jerome Spiezio, Nick Anagnos, Robert Ross, and Deanne Ross. Copy of the City of Leominster's Jungle Road construction request for proposals. Copy of the Providence Redevelopment Agency's request for proposals for Washington Park revitalization project site improvements. Letter from Lin Associates, Inc. to the Planning Department regarding CBD Transportation Improvements. 4. Minutes of December 7, 1982 Motion: To approve as written (Tartufo - Jackson, all in favor) VOTED 5. Public Works Economic Development Grant Charlie Reppeta, representing SRPEDD, appeared before the committee. He said that they had their district engineer review the intersection of Route 106 and N. Main Street. Because Route 106 is a State highway, it goes through a much longer design review. They recommend omitting this project from the grant because it will not be within the same time limits as the other projects. This could delay the other projects. There was some discussion regarding a letter, which should be received shortly, from Mr. Monahan. This letter will put bench -mark time limits on the projects. The letter may state that State highways are allowed in the time frame. Depending on the contents of the letter, the Route 106 project may be put back into the grant. SRPEDD's advise is to wait until the committee receives the letter. When the letter is received, the DAC should contact SRPEDD. Mr. Reppeta said that it may be desirable for the committee to hire a firm to do detailed engineering design and traffic analysis of the intersections, as the proposals are based on conceptual plans only. Chairman Seifert pointed out that if the committee waits for the letter, the time table which they set up will be delayed. Charlie Reppeta sug- gested slowing down the timetable. At this point, Paul Folkman explained the grant to the new members. Chairman Seifert suggested that at the next meeting, the committee concentrate on the letter from Mr. Monahan. Charlie Reppeta said he would be willing to come to the next DAC meeting to assist. SRPEDD's engineers will be invited to attend the next meet- ing to assist the committee. 6. Design and Repair of Locally Owned Bridges_ Paul Folkman informed the committee that in the November, 1982, edition of the Beacon Newsletter, it stated that Chapter 335 provided $10 million for the design and repair of locally owned bridges. He sent a letter to Mr. Cronin requesting information/an application. Mr. Cronin's response Downtown Advisory Committee's minutes January 17, 1983 Page 3 was to contact Mr. Howard Cheney for information and the procedure to follow in making an application for funds. Motion: To send a letter to Mr. Howard Cheney requesting an application. (Tartufo - Spiezio, all in favor) VOTED *Kenneth Parsons left the meeting COMPARK Dick D'Onofrio, representing the COMPARK Committee, appeared before the nommittee. He stated that about four years ago, some concern was raised regarding the annual cost of operating the commuter rail. The annual cost, at that time, was approximately $22,000 to $25,000. At a Town Meeting, there was discussion regarding future costs. At that time, it was suggested that when the town appropriates money for the operation, that fees be put into being that would allow for some return income for the town's investment. This is when the COMPARK Committee was formed to come up with solutions. Dick D'Onofrio said that in working with the MBTA, it took approximately 12 years for the town to obtain a lease agreement from MBTA on Parcels Nos. 5, 6, and 7. The committee is con- sidering developing Parcels Nos. 1 and 3. They suggest a land swap between Graphic Labs and Connors. In reference to charging out-of-town commuters for parking, he said that under the present lease agreement, the town may keep the first 50 cents. He said that the funds that have been allocated could go along way. COMPARK has been looking at the possibility of renogiating the lease or purchasing the land. He feels it would be more advantageous if Lots Nos. 5, 6, and 7 were purchased rather than continue leasing them. Francis Gay, representing GATRA, said that he and Paul Folkman met with Bill MacDonald, a representative of the MBTA, in December. The purpose of this meeting was to discuss what the plans were and talk about possi- bilities for the funds. Mr. MacDonald has Northeast Corrider Improvement Funds, which is federal money, to improve the rail line from Washington to Boston. He said that from this, he will have money to make improve- ments in Mansfield. -.Fie said that he would start work on Parcel No. 6. In the meantime, he suggested that the town work on Parcel No. 3 and work with Clemmey on the land swap. Francis Gay spoke with Mr. MacDonald after the initial meeting. Mr. MacDonald's engineer's estimates to improve the signals from Providence to Boston are less than what was originally thought; therefore, there will be more money to make improve- ments in Mansfield. Francis Gay said that Mr. MacDonald is ready and willing to go ahead on Parcel No. 6. He also has an engineering firm doing work for the MBTA who will come to town and make estimates for Parcels Nos. 5 and 6. Francis Gay said that GATRA controls the Attleboro station, and they maintain the parking area; but it is leased from the MBTA. There was some discussion regarding removing the existing train station building and replacing it. Chairman Seifert said that many people realize that the train station building should be a permanent structure in future years. It would not be a long-term contribution if it remained in its present state. Helen Glenn asked that if a new building were put in, would she be able to operate her coffee shop there. It was pointed Downtown Advisory Committee's minutes / January 17, 1983 Page 4 that discussions regarding a new building have only been preliminary. Richard D'Onofrio pointed out that in reference to the Graphic Labs/ Connors land swap, the amount of land to be swapped is almost identical. Chairman Seifert said that COMPARK should continue their work, and the DAC could have an article in for Town Meeting. Richard D'Onofrio will be talking with the MBTA regarding the cost of Parcels Nos. 5, 6, and 7 and comparing the land cost to the engineering cost. It was -pointed out that approximately 600 people use the Mansfield com- muter rail system per day. Of that 600, approximately 200 of them are Mansfield residents. It was suggested that a sticker system for parking be established. The sticker would correspond to their license. It was suggested that the policing of the stickers could be done by the crossing guards. The Mansfield residents would park for free. Also it should be checked to see if the drainage of the lots are in the plans. Motion: To prepare an article regarding the land swap of Parcel No. 3 for Town Meeting. (Tartufo - Jackson, all in favor) VOTED There was discussion regarding sending a letter to Bill MacDonald stat- ing that the DAC is working with the COMPARK Committee and have directed one of their members to find out the acquisition of Parcels Nos. 5, 6, and 7, reaffirming the Selectmen's position. If it can't be purchased, the land should be renegotiated for a long-term lease. Motion: To send a letter to Bill MacDonald stating the COMPARK, under the direction of the Board of Selectmen, have been authorized to talk with the MBTA regarding the purchase of the parcels or a long-term lease. (Spiezio - Anagnos, all in favor) VOTED Francis Gay said that the MBTA bought this land with money from the Federal Government. The MBTA is still paying off the loan. There was discussion regarding how long it would take to purchase this property and the technicalities that would be involved. It was also pointed out that if the parcels are purchased, Bill MacDonald would probably not make the improvements. *The final concensus was to renegotiate a long-term lease agreement, not purchase the parcels. This would mean that Mr. MacDonald's ser- vices would be used. Richard D'Onofrio pointed out that Helen and John Glenn have done a great job providing the community with service at the rail station; and if at all possible, to make their transition smooth if a new building is erected. 8. Spaulding School Dennis Vachon and Ronald Bonvie appeared before the board. Chairman Seifert said that both Ronald and Dennis have expressed an interest in the school site. Mr. Vachon owns land to the north and the park- ing lot that abuts the school property. He also has a garage and to the east he owns a substantial piece of land. Mr. Bonvie is a developer Downtown Advisory Committee's minutes January 17, 1983 Page 5 in the community who is currently taking under the Fairfield Park develop- ment project. Chairman Seifert said that the DAC visited the school site on the 13th of December. Other than that, there has been little imput on the possibly uses. Ronald Bonvie said he feels that the building has value, but you would have to work with other pieces of land, i.e., a total package in the area. Dennis Vachone said he is interested in developing the land for a possible showroom or apartments. He pointed out that last year Paul Folkman mentioned that the town was considering using the school as a drop- in center for the elderly or for Cable Vision Television. The outcome of this discussion is as follows: To have the Board of Selectmen obtain an appraisal for the ,property, SRPEDD re -use plan, Ronald Bonvie and Dennis Vachone will talk together; re: look into the block grant. Spring Downtown Development Awards It was pointed out that the December get together never happened. The spring downtown development awards will be coordinated with the completion of Fairfield and the ground breaking for the elderly housing project. It will probably be held late in March in the center of town. It was suggested to put up a tent where the awards will be given out. Joanne Collela and Ronald Bonvie need to be contacted. *Letter to Joanne Collela suggesting that the DAC give out the develop- ment awards the day of the ground breaking for the elderly. 10. Motion: To adjourn 9:20 P.M. (Anagnos - Durbano, all in favor) VOTED CLERK