HomeMy WebLinkAbout1970-12-14-CPSSR-rpt.pdf REPORT OF
COMMITTEE ON PROCEDURES OF
STREET AND SIDEWALK 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 recon-
struction 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 maintenance of the town, which will in turn prevent
more costly reconstruction at a later date.
Revised 12/.14/70
-2-
PLAN
PHASE 1 PUBLISH STREET AND SIDEWALK LIST
HOLD PRELIMINARY JUNE HEARING
In the Spring the Selectmen will decide on the list of streets and side-
walks to be considered for reconstruction, publish the names of these
streets and sidewalks, and set dates in June for preliminary hearings
for all interested citizens The purpose of these preliminary hearings
will be to obtain information from interested parties regarding need
for improvements and suggested major design features Information as
to probable design will be provided by the Town Engineer to the extent
such information can be made available without special surveys or
detailed plans
PHASE 11 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 will take into account the
aesthetic as well as engineering problems, including proposed tree plant-
ing and landscaping. Design criteria will 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 111 FALL HEARING ON PRELIMINARY PLANS
In the fall , there will be public hearings based on the completed pre-
liminary plans No later than one week before the Fall Hearings the
-3-
proposed streets or sidewalks to be reconstructed will be staked out with
orange markers in the ground and markers on those trees recommended for
removal.
PHASE 1V REVISION OF LIST
On the basis of those hearings the Board of Selectmen will determine
which projects are to be included for recommended Town Meeting action,
and will establish the general design criteria for such projects.
PHASE V PREPARATION OF FINAL PLANS TOWN MEETING ACTION
1
1 Based on the fall hearings and the established design criteria, final con-
struction plans will be prepared When completed the plans will be sub-
mitted to the Board of Selectmen for preparation of an article for the
appropriation of construction money by the Town Meeting. Detailed cost
estimates will be made or, if possible, bids will be taken prior to the
Town Meeting, so that the exact amount of funds required can be determined
IMPLEMENTATION
1 Declare a moratorium on the usual annual street and sidewalk construc-
tion 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.
4
0
-4-
n.
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 pre-
pared in Phase 1V of the plan.
Revised 12/14/70