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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1982-05-27 Board of Public Works Minutes Board of Public Works Meeting of May 27, 1982 Page 1 A meeting of the Board of Public Works convened in the Community Center Auditorium, 52 Sanborn Street, Reading, Ma, at 7:45 P.M. Present were Chairman Wood, Secretary Fallon, Board Members Barker and Polychrones, Superintendent E. Roger Louanis, Assistant Superintendent William R. Bergeron and Department Engineer William Redford. Secretary Fallon read the Notice of Public Hearing at 7:45 P.M. regarding the discussion of proposed improvements to the Depot Area, High Street, Haven Street, Ash Street, Main Street, Salem Street, Lowell Street, Harnden Street and Union Street. The project will be submitted under the Public Works Economic Development Program Chapter 732, Section 17(c), Acts of 1981 for funding. There were approximately 28 people present. Chairman Wood greeted the audience and introduced the Board. She introduced Mr. William Bergeron, Assistant Superintendent - Engineering, who would be giving the presentation by means of slides and an overhead 1 I projector. ! Chairman Wood stated she was given the impression that many 1 1 townspeople are opposed to this plan. She stressed the Hearing is just to i {1 present a conceptual plan that the Board is looking for input on. f Chairman Wood stated Mr. Bergeron would give his presentation in i sections, and after each section was presented, comments and questions i would be welcome. Board of Public Works Meeting of May 27, 1982 Page 2 Mr. Bergeron introduced himself. He stated that the proposed project comes under Chapter 732, Section 17(c), Acts of 1981. Projects that are eligible under this Chapter are, design, engineering, construction and reconstruction of existing roadways. The intent of the project is; to improve the aesthetics with the use of new concrete sidewalks, trees, shrubs, benches and expanded sidewalk sections; to improve the safety for both the pedestrian and vehicle traffic, to provide parking in areas where proper turning movements do not create problems. The final design will require some modifications. The program became effective May 9, 1982, the deadline for filing applications is June 9, 1982 and all monies will be awarded by the State July 9, 1982. In 1976 a consulting firm did a TAMS Report regarding the traffic needs of the square area and Rte. 28. In 1979 the Planning Board gave a report to the Town regarding the traffic needs. In September of 1980 a traffic study of the Depot Area was done. All of these reports were put together with the plans presented at this Public Hearing. Mr. Bergeron presented slides of the intersection at Lowell and Salem Streets (in front of the Town Hall). He stressed the obstruction of sight vision at the intersection going South on Lowell Street. He proposed to make Lowell Street one-way (going North) in front of the Library and Town Hall with a right turn only onto Salem Street. Board of Public Works Meeting of May 27, 1982 Page 3 The proposals would be to restrict the parking in front of the Old South Church to Sundays only, replace the hedges in front of the monument on Lowell Street with low-growing hedges or flowers, and the expansion of the lane widths on Main Street to twelve feet. Mr. William C. Brown questioned how fire apparatus would get up Lowell Street. Mr. Bergeron explained they would take a left on Salem Street and proceed up Lowell. Safety Officer Joseph Cormier of the Police Department questioned the Sunday only parking in front of the Church and questioned parking for funerals and weddings etc. Mr. Bergeron explained that arrangements could be made for these activities and exceptions would be made. Mr. Paul Dustin of the Board of Selectmen asked Mr. Bergeron for a figure as to the number of increased parking spaces. On Salem Street from Lowell to Main Streets there are presently 10 existing spaces. The replacement would be zero spaces. From the Town Hall to Woburn Street there are presently 9 spaces, the replacement would be 14 spaces. On Main Street from Woburn Street to Haven Street there are presently 30 spaces plus one bus stop, the replacement would be 35 spaces plus one bus stop. On Main Street. from Pleasant Street to Union Street, there are presently 21 spaces. The replacement would be 10 spaces plus one bus ' stop, plus an additional 42 spaces at the proposed Union Street parking lot. t 1 Board of Public Works Meeting of May 27, 1982 Page 4 Virginia Adams of the Historical Commission was concerned with traffic congestion at the Woburn and Main Street intersections. Mr. Bergeron pointed out that the traffic in that area would be controlled by j traffic lights. I, Safety Officer Cormier stated that the volume of traffic would increase at the Salem and Main Street intersection. The Police Department considers that intersection to be a high accident rate intersection as it is now. Selectman Paul Dustin questioned the traffic flow in front of the Town Hall going one way and stated that this would create excess traffic onto Main Street. Secretary Fallon read two letters regarding opposition to taking of land from the Common. Superintendent Louanis stressed this is a conceptual plan only. A lot of the questions will have to be answered when the Final Plans are drawn up. There will be additional Public Hearings at that time. Virginia Adams asked for a response regarding the letters concerning opposition to taking of land from the Common. Superintendent Louanis stated that before the Town would do anything, it would have to be reviewed with Town Counsel as to what is within our legal rights. Mr. Bergeron presented slides and an overhead projection of the ' intersection of Ash, Haven and Main Streets. He stated that thermo-plastic parking lines are proposed to be installed. j i 1 I Board of Public Works Meeting of May 27, 1982 Page 5 Safety Officer Cormier questioned the reduction of seven parking spaces in the area of the intersection. Sharon Offenstein asked if there were any alternatives to overhead light masts at the intersection. She felt this would be detrimental to the aesthetics of entering the Square. Mr. Bergeron presented an overhead projection of the proposed improvements to the lower section of Haven Street. He stated that a major portion of the sidewalks would be replaced. At Gould and Haven Streets the sidewalk section would be reduced. There will be an extension of the bulb on the corner of Haven and Chute Streets. There will be sufficient ' turning room for any vehicle to make the turn. There will be restriction of 50 spaces at the Depot Area to be used strictly for business purposes. Currently, there are 40 parking spaces, this proposal would increase the number of spaces to 103. Mr. Steve Campbell of the Atlantic Food Mart stated he did not like the idea of the parking at the depot area and cutting down of the number of spaces in front of the Atlantic. Bud Dickey, Tree Warden, asked if any public shade trees would be removed because of this proposal. Mr. Bergeron replied that existing trees would not be removed at all, and in fact, additional trees may be planted. Mr. Paul Dustin questioned the Board as to the approval process they plan to go through and if the Board is planning to go in front of Town Meeting. Board of Public Warks Meeting of May 27, 1982 Page 6 Mrs. Wood replied that the Board would not go to Town Meeting with this proposal. She stated if the State determines that any portion of this proposal will receive funding, the Board will then decide what to do with the money. Other Public Hearings will be held on detailed studies of the plan. She stated the Board would not go through with something that is generally against public opinion. Mr. Ben Nichols wanted to be sure that Town Counsel is conferred with regarding the land on the Common. He wants to go on record that the Town should be obligated not to encroach upon this land at all. Mr. Tom Cheney thanked the Board and Mr. Bergeron for their fine efforts in taking the best interests of the Town into consideration. Mr. Bergeron presented an overhead projection of the Depot Area. This section was broken up into four areas. The major renovations to the area include the reconstruction of High Street, the construction of sidewalks on both sides of the Depot, and the construction of a parking lot from Woburn Street to Washington Street on the Lincoln Street side. The total price for the entire project (all areas) will be close to $965,000.00. The chances of the Town getting $500,000.00 is more realistic. It was movedv seconded and voted 4: 0 to close the Hearing at 10:00 P.M. Board of Public Works Meeting of May 27, 1982 Page 7 ' Mr. Fallon moved that the Board go into Executive Session to discuss labor negotiations, not to reconvene in open session and the Chairman polled the Board as follows: Mr. Fallon - yea Mr. Barker - yea Mr. Polychrones - yea Mrs. Wood - yea. Respectfully submitted, Secretary 1 1