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Home My WebLink AboutDAC 10/25/1982DOWNTOWN ADVISORY COMMITTEE MINUTES October 25, 1982 Present: Chairman Seifert,iTartufo, Mahana, Anaghos, Spiezio, Parsons* and Stearns*. Planning Director Folkman 1. Meeting ;called to order: at 7:35 P.M. 2. Visitors attending the meeting consisted of David Benjamin, MansfieldNews; Allen Johnson, Sun Chronicle; and Ralph Cataldo. 3. Public Works Economic Development Grant 'i The Planning Director informed the board that the town received $367,000 from the State Department of Transportation and Construction. They originally requested $525,000. The town received 70 percent of their original request. The board referred to the project cost sheet, and the Planning Director gave them the 70 percent amount for each item. He also said that the DAC has been asked to have preliminary discussions as a group regarding how they would like chedule. At this I)oint. Chairman Se tert read the items lasted on the project out that the water and sewer project on N. Main St'. will help defray the cost of resurfacing, and the grant can make up; the difference. There was some discussion reearding flags and providing posts. Director has talked with GAIRA, who has ottered to; participate in the :cost. All three parcels will be paved and lined. Norman Mahana suggested contacting Attleboro regarding installing parking meters. There was also some discussion regarding establishing a sticker system. Out of the $160,000 originally requested, 70 percent would be $112,000. In reference to the downtown parking lot, the Planning Director said he wanted to repave certain portions and create new parking behind Scholfield's, O'Malley's, <.l *Rodney Stearns entered the meeting after Item 'b. i Downtown Advisory Committee's minutes Page 2 October 25, 1982 and Amici's'.and design an exit onto North Main Street. With the $5,000 donated by the Rotary Club it is proposed to build the central common. e. High Street Bridge,- Norman pointed out that the bridge is deteriorat- ing. He also said he felt'the amount allocated for rebuilding the bridge was high. Chairman ;Seifert rasked the board if they wanted to spend $35,000 on rebuilding the bridge when there are other means of access. There was some discussion regarding this. *Ken Parsons entered the meeting, The Planning Director informed the board that'the figures are rough. The projects are not transferable. Discussion regarding moving money from one area to another. Planning Director said he would have to check with Boston. Prioritizing of items in order of importance, as decided by the board: I. Resurfacing streets, sidewalks, curbs,; 2. Cornparlc improvements and drainage. - iOld Colony Railroad ROW improvements. 3. Intersection Improvements 4. Nigh Street Bridge Improvements. i 5. Acquisition of parcel along Old Colony Way. MOTION: To prioritise the items as listed above. F (Anagnos - Spiezio, all in favor) VOTED 4. Old Colony Railroad Right -Of -Way Design The Planning Director informed the board that this project was started last December. The abutters were notified of a Public hearing , and it was held in December. Planning Director tried to meet with the abutters individually. He held a meeting late in the summer with; approximately six abutters. At that meeting, questions came out regarding why two public streets, Samoset and .Shawmut, were being terminated in a parking lot. The Board of Selectmen then sponsored a public meeting to discuss terminating the two streets and having a right hand turn area off of N. Main St. iIt became obvious that if this were done, something would have to be done with Church Street, i.e.; making it into a two-way street. Discussions from making Church ',Street $ way;brough up concerns —such as the to rrn two - to -the puttin anothe street off-st to clo Planni termn should right - open. MOTION: MOTION: It was also brought out that the sidewalks onuCourteStreet home, and street, which makes it very narrow. The public spoke against Street were built in g more traffic on this street. The Selectmen would like the DAC to take r look at this design to see if it is workable, i.e., dead ending the s, what could be done with Church and Court Streets,' and the downtown reet parking,; or go back and redesign. Norman Mahana said he was opposed sing Samoset. There was discussion regarding Bud Fales' delivery trucks. ng Director asked if everyone felt comfortable leaving the two streets ating in the right-of-way. Ralph Seifert said he felt the two streets be left open. Norman Mahana said the more streets opening in the of -way the better. It was the concensus of the board to leave them' To keep Samoset and Shawmut open, having them terminate in to right-of-way. (Mahana - Stearns, all in favor) VOTED ( To keep Church Street one-way. (Mahana - Stearns, all in favor) VOTED ( Downtown Advisory Committee's minutes Page 3 October 25,, 1982 S. r'The Mansfield Partnership' The Planning Director informed the board that EOCD sponsored a meeting called the public/private partnership. Norman Mahana brought up the possiblity of having a breakfast meeting where Department Heads could present information' and current work agendas to the industrial community.He also said it is important for the town to keep'; the industrial community informed on what is presently being done and updating them on the ,town's long-range plans. The Department Heads could give a brief explanation. It was also suggested to meet with the merchants in town, commercial community. It was the concensus of the board that this ;type ofrmeeting ,would only be necessary about 'twice a CA...,....1 T.,,+n-Fn cnnnoc+nrl rnmh;:ninn hnth nrnunc':tnaether. commercial :and clearing and improving p a difficult grant. Norm extension from Route 495. said the Selectmen are t Council on Aging is very Edward>Tartufo suggested provided that they give that the COA would like would ,put it up for a:pu Selectmen to see if they cul re -.properly, rendui i i UQ61 VII, ucmv i � ,.. " -• - roperty. Planning Director said he feels this is Norma .rial community and the UAC )le, hold a joint meeting. )TED astions regarding the budget. they encumbered $43.79 into o far this year.: It was sug- let. IOTED Mahana suggested using the grant for the sewer In 'reference to the Spaulding School, Norman rying',to rent it.: It was pointed out that the interested in acquiring the 'Spaulding School. letting a developer have the Spaulding School the Council on Aging 'space. ;It was `pointed out 6,000 s.f. Ralph Seifert asked if the Selectmen blit auction? It was suggested to take it to the would like the board the develop a developer's Downtown Advisory Committee's minutes October 25, 1982 Page r ( kit. In reference to the Paine School, it was pointed out that it is being rented to a private school. Norman Mahana said he views the Paine School as a good place for a police/fire station! In reference to the Berry School, it was pointed out that this is also being rented to a private school. Norman said that the money they get goes back out for maintenance. Train Station Ralph Seifert said it took three years to get a lease with the MBiA. He said he would like to approach the MBTA when the new administration comes in. There ;was discussion about removinq the coffee shop and building another one or $45,000iper year. There was discussion about buying surplus parking meters. In reference to the damaged fence, it was pointed out that the town plow hit it. MOTION: To nominate Ralph Seifert as chairman for one year. (Tartufo - Parsons, all in favor) VOTED 7. 'Date of. Next Meeting is November 15, 1982 at 7:30 P.M. It was suggested to have Norman Mahana report to the Selectmen on the school building, the Mansfield partnership, and the train station. Ken Parsons said that since the DAG is a subcommittee of the Planning Board, they should have better communication with them. 'Ralph Seifert agreed and said that the report will go to the Planning Board first and then be passed on tb.the Selectmen. They should be informed of the reception, the Spaulding School, and the iPublic 'Works Economic Development Grant. Ralph Cataldo, Engineer, appeared before the board. He lives in Foxboro, and does the type of work that is encumpassedin the grant. He said he just completed a project in Smithfield, which'; consisted of the same type of work. He said he has done three projects in East Providence and five in Pawtucket. He pointed out that the priorities that the board decided on are about the same as other communities. He is interested in this pro- ject because he lives in Foxboro. Ken Parsons asked what the discussions were on tine main 3creeL. MUK aaiu he has "received positive comments. 8. Adjournment 9:35 P.M. DATE CHAIRMAN