East Hampton Streetscape Steering Committee
Special Meeting Minutes
Tuesday, May 22, 2007
6:30 p.m.
Town Hall Annex
Agenda
1. Call to Order
Streetscape Steering Committee Chairperson Elizabeth Harris called the meeting to order at 6:33 PM. Other committee members present were Kevin Burnham (arrived 6:55), Susan Puzzo, Ralph Stoeckle, and Susan Weintraub. Others present: Kathleen Wright, Recorder Chair Harris said the goals for the meeting were to firm up the design vocabulary/template, to assign priorities, and to decide what will be communicated to the public at the EDC Meet & Greet on 5/30/07.
2. Approval of Minutes, May 16 Regular Meeting
Minutes from the May 16, 2007 meeting had previously been distributed to committee members. Mr. Stoeckle made a motion to approve the minutes of the May 16, 2007 regular meeting. Susan Puzzo seconded the motion. The motion carried (4-0-0). (Yes votes: Chairperson Elizabeth Harris, Susan Puzzo, Ralph Stoeckle, and Susan Weintraub. Yes votes: 4. No votes: 0. Abstentions: 0.)
3. Communications and Announcements
• Mr. Stoeckle said he is looking at the final plans from the DOT. He has two concerns. DOT will take land and cut down a tree on the property of the Bethlehem Lutheran Church. The Church will be compensated with a small amount of money. The Church may hire an attorney. Mr. Stoekle is also concerned with the drain at Century 21.
• Ms. Weintraub said that Val Ferro needs to have a contact at the Board of Education to discuss the school bus route. The school route may alter in order to increase safety. Chair Harris said the route will be implemented in September, and it should be in place for the bid process. Ms. Puzzo gave the name of the School Superintendent, Kevin Reich.
4. Designate project priorities and design vocabulary
Design Vocabulary:
• Cross walks (and refuge island) Chair Harris said that Ms. Ferro and Ms. Hajna of TPA appreciate concrete for its visibility. Ms. Weintraub suggested a colored line of reddish brown to be used in one crosswalk area to set a tone, and white stripes could be used in other areas to save money, with eventually another special crosswalk in the future, perhaps at Lakeview Street and Rt. 66. The location of the first crosswalk with the special treatment was discussed, and possible locations were at the intersection in front of the Catholic Church, and at Main St. and Route 66, to be tied in with the welcome sign. There was a discussion of costs and physical constraints. Ms. Puzzo was in favor of concrete at Main St. and Rt. 66. There was a discussion of a pedestrian refuge island placement near the Town Hall. Mr. Burnham
said that signalized intersections with enhanced crossings do not have much impact and are too expensive. Perhaps they could be done in Phase II. There was a discussion of the longevity of epoxy, paint, and thermoplastic crosswalks. Mr. Burnham will price out crosswalks. It was generally agreed that less expensive crosswalks would free up money for a refuge island, which is more important for safety and more visible. Mr. Burnham said that a refuge island often means taking land, and it is best to find a solution within existing street lines and curb lines. He said a consultant could come up with alternatives, and he said the island would be between 4' and 8', with wider being better, and it would most likely necessitate taking up a lane. A refuge island would also require handicap accessibility. Mid-block crosswalks might give a false sense of security and he questioned their value.
• Lighting Mr. Burnham said it is best to stay with full cut-off. The committee preferred the Universe Collection B area lighting, which features a bell-shaped housing and a shepherd’s crook. Ms. Weintraub said to consider light posts as a means of adding style as well. Ms. Puzzo said there is a power line and a transformer by the Rotary kiosk; if illumination is desired at that location, power is already available. Mr. Burnham recommended having electrical receptacles located on the light poles.
• Chairs, Benches, Trashcans The committee is generally in favor of the Dumor 58 metal benches in black and the Dumor 107c for a trashcan. The committee is also in favor of a pocket park/seating area in front of the Town Hall with its own light, bench and landscaping. Ms. Puzzo said a concrete apron could be considered.
• Way-finding sign and East Hampton/bell sign The committee agreed to keep the way-finding sign in the same location at this time. Ms. Weintraub suggested that the wooden portions of the bell sign could be donated to the Historic Society, with a duplicate made of more durable materials. The committee is interested in powder coating the metal portions of the sign, possibly hosting a fundraiser to pay for it. Ms. Weintraub has some contacts and will look into the cost of powder coating. Ms. Puzzo suggested that "Bring Back the Bell" would be a good name for a fundraiser. Ms. Puzzo said that if the work is sufficiently inexpensive, perhaps a sponsor could be found, and in the meantime the sign could be stored at the Dept. of Public Works.
• Landscaping Chair Harris said there is an opportunity for landscaping at the sitting area/sub-park. Ms. Puzzo said that the kiosk is also a landscaping possibility. Chair Harris said that Mr. Bergren plans to talk with Shaw's regarding additional landscaping; Shaw’s might be willing to fund the landscaping work if the town pays for the design.
Priorities:
· Sidewalks
· Granite curb
· Safety and traffic calming
· Refuge island
· Crossings
· Sitting area
· Landscape for pocket park
5. Next Steps
· Increasing public awareness The Streetscape Steering Committee will have more events like the Meet & Greet in the future to raise public awareness.
· Upcoming EDC Meet & Greet, Wednesday, May 30 Ms. Weintraub passed out examples of invitations for the Meet & Greet and asked for feedback. Mr. Burnham asked that there be more visual definition of the photographed streetscape area, perhaps delineating it in yellow. It was generally agreed that the flyer format for the invitation was best and suggestions were made for the text. Ms. Weintraub also distributed lists of people and businesses to be invited, as well as a press release written by Chair Dostaler of the EDC which will invite the general public.
· Art in Public Spaces This workshop will be held on Thursday, May 24, 8:30 AM - 12:00 PM, at Asylum Hill Congregational Church, Hartford.
· Bright Ideas on Community Design There will be a workshop on 6/5/07. The cost is $25, which will include either breakfast or lunch. Topics will be economic preservation, sustainable development, and livable communities. Speakers will include Tony Millicent of URB Design, and Commissioner Gina McCarthy of the DEP. Mr. Burnham will email more specifics.
6. Public Comments
None
7. Adjournment
Mr. Burnham made a motion to adjourn. Mr. Stoeckle seconded the motion. The motion carried (5-0-0). (Yes votes: Chairperson Elizabeth Harris, Kevin Burnham, Susan Puzzo, Ralph Stoeckle, and Susan Weintraub. Yes votes: 5. No votes: 0. Abstentions: 0.)
The meeting was adjourned by Elizabeth Harris at 8:40 PM
Respectfully submitted, Kathleen Wright, Recorder, August 13, 2007
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