HomeMy WebLinkAbout2011-11-01-ETF-minEstabrook Task Force Meeting Minutes
November 1, 2011 at 7:00 p.m.
Meeting was called to order at 7:05 p.m.
Member Present were: Sandy Trach, Ben Moroze, Christian Boutwell, Tom Peterson, Ed
LoTurco, Richard Larrabee, Bill Hadley, John Livsey, Pat Goddard, Keith Hoyle, Mark Corr,
Harold Payson, Michelle Ciccolo, Jim Brown, Marianne Stewart, Deb Mauger, Peter Johnson,
Judy Crocker, Bill Hadley, Peter Johnson, and Paul Ash
Minutes to approve: Due to power outage throughout town, minutes were not emailed out to
members for review. They will be approved at the next ETF meeting.
ETF to review construction access schemes:
DiNisco did a brief run through of all prior options presented at the meeting of 10/26/11 giving
the plusses and minuses of each. Michelle Ciccolo thanked Christian Boutwell who summarized
the +/- benefits of each scenario to help members in preparing for the meeting. Christian's
summary was distributed electronically and provided in paper form at the meeting.
Richard Larrabee wanted to note his opposition to Option #4 due to the queuing on Robinson
Road it would create and he reminded the task force that this option was not fully discussed at
the prior meeting since the scenario was a late addition.
DiNisco then presented Option 5 which it is recommending with the sole access for the
construction and school use coming from Grove Street, noting that contractor's access to the site
will be restricted during drop off pick up times. Under Option 5, all construction vehicles will be
restricted from entering and leaving the site during drop off and pick up times. While school is
in session, there would be two lanes of travel for contractors and two lanes of travel for school
business. There would be four lanes entering the school (one drop off lane, one lane for queuing,
a zip lane for construction and a lane for emergency vehicles). The current width of the access
road is 32' and that would be increased to 50' under Option 5.
Sandy Trach, Principal of Estabrook, commented that Option 5 will work on all aspects of
proj ect.
Jim Brown expressed concerns for the safety of his family if they widen the school driveway as
this will result in a grade increase to his driveway. He also has concerns with issues around
snow plowing and drainage.
Judy Crocker suggested leaving it to three lanes.
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Comments and concerns from the audience involved cost, blasting, grade change and a retaining
wall. DiNisco confirmed there would be a grade change on the north side but the scenario
retains the sidewalk on the south side. There would also be a retaining wall or slope of about
five to seven feet.
Option 5 was further refined by the DiNisco and Beta team just prior to the ETF meeting as a
result of suggestions made by Jim and Bonnie Brown. Detailed drawings were not available
given the limited time available. However, the scheme was called Option 5A. This option
eliminated the need for major widening at the access off of Grove Street because it called for
only 3 total lanes (one for drop off, one shared access lane used for construction during non -drop
off hours, and one exit lane). It was noted that this would be a far less confusing scenario than
having multiple entrances (one for the contractor and one for regular use). It was not yet clear,
given the lack of detailed engineering drawings, whether or not there would be a physical barrier
between the construction vehicles and regular access vehicles. These details will have to be
explored in a later meeting when drawings are further refined.
Related to permanent construction access, Mark Corr expressed the likely need for three lanes on
Grove Street at the intersection to access the school more safely and efficiently and to get
queuing off of Grove. If queuing is not resolved for the permanent facility, it will be a major
public safety failure in his opinion. The job of the crossing guard is to give adult supervision not
direct traffic. During the construction project, Police will assist the school with traffic but after
construction, the permanent issue on Grove Street needs to be changed. He feels there is no need
for multiple lanes to exit out of the site. However, he emphasized that there should be a turning
lane off of Grove Street for the permanent access because that is where traffic comes from.
Mr. Brown expressed concern about adding a traffic light at the school entrance stating that such
a solution would have a year round impact to traffic concerns for a problem that is essentially
contained to 20 minutes a day, 180 days a year.
Michelle Ciccolo asked if any of the Task Force members have an objection in terms of Option
5A providing a safe access during construction. Charge One of the Task Force is to provide safe
access during construction. Sandy Trach and the school department feel Option 5A meets
Charge One of the Task Force.
An ETF member suggested that the only other option that comes close is Option 4. Sandy Trach
feels there is a safety concern with Option 4, among other concerns, as children would have to
board from the wrong side of the vehicle. She is not looking at Option 4 as a viable option and
feels Option 5A is a more reasonable option. Bill Hadley noted from a public safety viewpoint
along with Police and Fire that the recommendation is Option 5 or 5a.
Michelle Ciccolo asked, for clarification, if Option 4 were pursued would public safety officials
consider an 18 foot width on Robinson Road adequate for processing vehicles exiting out of the
school through that access point? Public Safety officials confirmed the task force understanding
that greater width (probably at least 24 feet) would then be required if Option 4 were pursued.
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A motion was made by Deb Mauger to recommend construction Option 5a, contingent upon the
engineering design. Seconded by Ben Morose; all in favor.
Bill Hadley and the Task Force reviewed the October 31, 2011 Public Safety Memorandum.
Mark Corr emphasized that Robinson Road will need to be an 18' roadway if the final
conclusion is that the school use will primarily only entail emergency access. He also noted that
there would be no parking whatsoever allowed on the road if it is only 18 feet wide.
Michelle Ciccolo asked what the results of the Robinson Road survey were relative to residential
preference of roadway width as it relates to a no parking zone. At the prior meeting, Richard
Larrabee had agreed to conduct a survey to determine if residents would oppose having a no
parking restriction or if they would prefer retaining the right for parking but with greater
roadway width (approximately 24 feet). The residents unanimously opted for an 18' roadway fire
lane with no parking allowed as opposed to the 24' lane option.
Jim Brown inquired if there was something in the middle between the 18' minimum and the 24'
option that would still provide parking during school events. Mr. Hadley said there is a 20'
option but that is still not enough space for on street parking.
Mark Corr stated there may be some minor tweaks or temporary changes to Robinson Road
during the construction phase for safety and emergency access.
Keith Hoyle's recommendation was to make changes at the top of Robinson Road for apparatus
and to change the turn ratio.
Jim Brown suggested a three -way stop when widening the corner of Robinson Road before
Turning Mill Road.
Peter Johnson recommended installing signage now on Robinson Road to keep people from
parking during construction for safety issues.
A motion was made by Deb Mauger that the Task Force adopt the Public Safety
Recommendations as outlined in the October 31, 2011 memorandum contingent upon the
engineering design and with the following additions to the content contained in the memo: to
look at the need for a traffic signal at the access road intersection with Grove Street, evaluate
extending the sidewalks on Robinson Road adjacent to Route 95, and consider installing a three -
way stop at Robinson Road and Turning Mill Road. Seconded by Harold Payson; all in favor.
A motion was made to adjourn at 9:05 p.m. by Michelle Ciccolo; seconded by John Livsey. All
in favor.
- - - -- Final Minutes approved by the Task Force on 11/28/11
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