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APPROVED
Chilmark Planning Board Subcommittee Meeting
Thursday, Oct. 13, 2016
Present: Janet Weidner, Chair, Joan Malkin, Peter Cook
Not Present: John Eisner
Public:
Staff: Jennifer L. Christy
Meeting called to order at 10:00AM:
- Ms. Weidner briefly reviewed her public safety spreadsheet (‘work zone tab) that she provided to the subcommittee.
- Brief discussion occurred on what the next steps should be using the organization of the topics in the spreadsheet.
- Discussion occurred regarding the possibility of obtaining funds to hire a traffic consultant to provide input on Menemsha and possibly in the Town center.
- Ms. Weidner volunteered to speak with Tim Carroll about the availability of funds and/or the creation of a RFP for a traffic study which could, in turn, be used to create a warrant article for the 2017 Annual Town Meeting (budget/appropriation requests are due to the Board of Selectmen by January 4, 2017.)
- Mr. Cook suggested looking at the time period required to implement the suggested traffic solutions in Menemsha and organizing the suggestions in order of which may be addressed early and easily before spring 2017, and those items that may only be addressed with more time, extra funding and/or the suggestions fall outside of the area of master planning.
- The subcommittee reviewed Joan’s submitted organization of Menemsha topics and identified which items are within the topic of Master Planning and which items are in the purview of the BOS and/or other Town depts., committees or Boards. Ms. Malkin suggested the Planning Board could identify the topics that are outside of the Master Planning area and then notify the Board/Committee/Dept. that would be involved in the implementation and improvement.
- The subcommittee identified the transfer station, offsite parking as an area that could be improved and enhanced before the summer of 2017 and which may have a great impact, if done well, on the parking issues inside Menemsha. Mr. Cook reiterated the need to contact the High School re building a shelter at the off-site parking area.
- Ms. Malkin identified #8 on her list of topics as items that could be implemented before summer 2017 and may have a positive, cost-effective impact on the traffic issues in Menemsha.
- The members went through Ms. Malkin’s topic list and Ms. Weidner’s ‘public safety’ issue chart and identified those items that are LHF (‘long-hanging fruit’ and may be implemented right away), MP (items that are possibly a goal or objective of the Master Planning initiative), and MT (those items that are mid-way between and LHP-immediate traffic solution- and MP-Master Planning goal.) Ms. Weidner made notations on the chart and topic list to indicate these different categories.
- Ms. Malkin noted that the signage at the actual entrance to the transfer station/off-site parking area is the most important one. Ms. Malkin asked Ms. Christy to highlight the chart after this assessment of the topics is complete so that it is clear what items are the ones that need to be addressed by the MP (Master Planning initiative) or is LHP (low-hanging fruit).
- Mr. Cook suggested the possibility of the rental of a 15 person van by the Town for the use by VTA. This may address, it was noted, the concern with large buses in Menemsha.
- The committee members asked Ms. Christy to identify the hours that the gates at the transfer station/off-site parking are locked/unlocked.
- Ms. Malkin suggested making the VTA schedule larger print.
- Discussion occurred regarding the speed limit signs in Menemsha and whether more should be installed. It was noted that speed limit signs should be installed at the top of North Road, once the traffic passes the ‘triangle’ and is heading down the hill into Menemsha. It was noted that the Police Chief, Brian Cioffi, should be asked for input on this idea. Speed limit signs were identified as not LHF on the topic lists.
- Ms. Weidner noted the Stop & Shop parking area in Tisbury and noted that there is a walkway type of installation that is flush with the pavement and it marks the area where pedestrians are to traverse the way to the Beach. She noted other flush pedestrian walking areas in other Towns that would identify a clear area for pedestrians and could be plowed over and would not be a barrier. Mr. Cook suggested this would not be a LHF due to the possible cost.
Minutes respectfully submitted by Jennifer L. Christy
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