East Hampton
Streetscape Steering Committee
Minutes of Regular Meeting
Wednesday, April 16, 2008, 6:30 pm
East Hampton Town Hall Meeting Room
Agenda Item #1: Call to Order
Streetscape Steering Committee Chairperson Elizabeth Harris called the meeting to order at 6:37 pm. Other committee members present were Kevin Burnham, Ralph Stoeckle, and Sue Weintraub.
Agenda Item #2: Approval of Minutes, March 19, 2008, Regular Meeting
Motion to accept the minutes from the March 19, 2008 Regular Meeting was made by Kevin Burnham and seconded by Ralph Stoeckle; the minutes were approved by unanimous vote.
Agenda Item #3: Communications and Announcements:
Kevin Burnham reported on the Main Street bridge replacement. The last Design Review Board meeting had been cancelled. The bridge plans now call for an expanded sidewalk of 5 feet, 6 inches (6 inches for curb). The roadway is 30 feet in width, which does not leave much room for a bike lane. The bridge railing still appears tall with a peak height of 6 feet, due to plans which meet code for pedestrians, motorists, and cyclists; however, the railing height may be able to be reduced. The DRB is to decide whether the concrete sidewalk design and walkway lighting will follow the streetscape standard.
Per Heidi Hajna of TPA, bidding on the streetscape project is anticipated for late April. TPA has been awaiting ConnDOT’s review of the proposed plans.
The Town’s second STEAP grant application was not funded; the application focused on the proposed acquisition and renovation of the unused property at the intersection of West High and Main Streets, destroyed by fire a number of years ago. Per Bob Drewry, DECD suggested that the application be re-submitted for the next round of funding in July or August. Representative Gail Hamm is requesting $225-250,000 to renovate the property into a memorial to the late former-Governor Bill O’Neill. Additionally, Sue Weintraub has suggested also dedicating this gateway property to the Town’s many volunteers.
Agenda Item #4: Samples of colored concrete
Two samples of colored concrete Quarry Red (Scofield) and Georgia Brick (QC Construction Products), were viewed. Both samples were reddish in color and lighter shades than preferred by the committee. Liz Harris will request additional samples from TPA and determine whether any desired shades have been installed locally.
Agenda Item #5: Consideration of signage plan and Town features/destinations
The committee arrived at an extensive list of Town features and services which could be part of a Town-wide signage plan. Kevin Burnham noted that, in Hartford, space on the decorative signs is limited, and that no more than about 6 items should be listed at a given location. The committee will need to plot locations, prioritize, and highlight the most unique features. Destinations not located on decorative signs could be featured at a Town welcome center.
Agenda Item #6: Next Steps
The committee will request additional colored concrete samples; the chosen color will be used for an 18-inch band adjacent to the scored concrete sidewalk. The committee will plan to attend the next meeting of the Design Review Board to aid in design coordination between that project and the streetscape. Liz Harris will try to find large maps of the Town’s business district so that the committee can begin to map out locations for signage.
Agenda Item #7: Public comments
Karen Olson suggested that, if the Town experiences a shortfall of funds for the proposed purchase of the vacant property at Main/West High Streets, the public can be involved in fundraising; the public has a stake in the end result. She also suggested that local realtors might be interested in volunteering to staff a Town welcome center.
Agenda Item #10: Adjournment
A motion to adjourn was made by Ralph Stoeckle and seconded by Kevin Burnham; the meeting was adjourned at 7:45pm. The next SSC meeting is scheduled for May 21, 2008, 6:30pm, in the Town Hall Meeting Room..
Respectfully submitted by Elizabeth Harris.
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