HomeMy WebLinkAbout1970-11-CPSRUE-rpt.pdf REPORT OF
COMMITTEE ON PROCEDURES OF
STREET AND SIDEWWALK RECONSTRUCTION
PURPOSE:
To enable the town to more properly meet the needs of
its° citizens for an adequate street and sidewalk
reconstruction program.
To enable citizens to better understand the street and
sidewalk reconstruction program.
To enable those citizens who are directly affected by
street and sidewalk construction through the physical
improvements to their neighborhoods and by the burden
of additional improvements and betterments taxes, thereon,
to have a more direct voice before the actual contracts
are awarded and the reconstruction undertaken.
To establish a more realistic annual Capital Expenditures
Budget.
To make better use of the Engineering Services and the
Engineering Department and the annual expenditures therein.
To provide for a more rapid acceptance of new streets,
thereby allowing for better care and maintainence of the
town, •rhich will in turn prevent more costly reconstruction
at a later date.
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PLAN
PHASE I PUBLISH STREET AND SIDEWALK LIST;
HOLD PRELIMINARY JUNE HEARING
In the Spring the Selectmen are to decide on the list
of streets and sidewalks to be considered for reconstruction
and publish the names of these streets and sidewalks and
set dates in June for preliminary hearings for all interested
citizens This preliminary hearing and the information provided
by the town therein would be similar to the only hearing which
is now held under current practices.
PHASE II PREPARATION OF PRELIMINARY PLANS
During the summer months the Town Engineering Department will
prepare preliminary plans based on a current field survey of
the streets and sidewalks to be reconstructed. The design
should take into account the aesthetic as well as engineering
problems, including proposed tree planting and landscaping.
Design criteria should be flexible and may include sidewalk
and slope easements to preserve natural features, varying
width of streets, sidewalks, and grassed areas, etc. consistent
with safety and good engineering practice.
PHASE IIIs FALL HEARING ON PRELIMINARY PLANS
In the fail , there will be public hearings based on the
completed preliminary plans. No later than one week before
the Fall Hearings the proposed streets or sidewalks to be
reconstructed are to be staked out with the orange markers in
the ground and markers on those trees recommended for removal,
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PHASE IV PREPARATION OF FINAL PLANS; TOWN MEETING ACTION
Based on the fall hearings and the completed preliminary plans,
final construction plans are to be prepared. When completed the
plans will be submitted to the Board of Selectmen for preparation
of an article for the appropriation of construction money by the
Town Meeting. The Citizens Advisory Board (as recommended under
Implementation below) will also submit to the Board of Selectmen
a written report on the final plans with their recommendations.
If possible, bids should be taken prior to the Town Meeting so
that the exact amount of funds required can be determined.
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IMPLEMENTATION
1. Declare a moratorium on the usual annual street and sidewalk
construction program, except for those sidewalks essential for
the safety of school children.
2 The 1971 Town Meeting should have an article specifically
allocating funds for the design and engineering of streets and
sidewalks proposed for reconstruction. A similar article should
be repeated annually based on a projected long-range program for
street and sidewalk reconstruction.
3 The plan should be put in operation for actual construction
moneys to be appropriated by the 1972 Town Meeting and annually
thereafter.
4 Construction moneys to be appropriated should include sums
required for tree planting and landscaping, as proposed in the
final plans prepared in Phase IV of the plan.
5 There should be appointed a three member Citizen Advisory
Board to act as a liaison between the Engineering Department and
the property owners and citizens involved during the design phases
of the plan.