PUBLIC HEARING MINUTES
September 15, 2014
8:00 p.m.
South Windsor Town Council
PURPOSE: To receive citizen input on the Construction of new sidewalks on a portion of Ayers Road to connect the upper parking lot at the Little League Complex to the South Windsor High School driveway
Mayor Anwar called the Public Hearing to order at 8:00 p.m.; and requested that the Clerk of the Council read the call of the meeting (a copy of which is attached hereto). There were approximately nineteen (19) people present in the audience.
Mr. Doolittle explained that the Engineering and Public Works Division was approached by Pat Hankard and by Chief Reed about an issue that they see as a safety concern. Students park at Ayers Road park and then walk across Ayers Road to get to the High School. This happens every morning that school is in session and they are concerned that the students are walking across Ayers Road at a number of different locations. There is a crosswalk but it is not in a good location and there are no sidewalks along Ayers Road. The Town was approached to construct a sidewalk from the upper parking lot, down the road to where students could safely cross to get to the existing sidewalk that runs along the driveway into the High School. A public hearing is necessary for the construction of new sidewalk.
Mr. Joe Perna, Project Engineer came before the Council to present details of the project. Mr. Perna explained that the students will be crossing at the high point of Ayers Road so there will be a better sight line. In order to provide a safe route to that cross walk the Town is proposing approximately 100 feet of concrete sidewalk in front of house #116. The sidewalk will be ADA compliant and proper signage will be provided for motor vehicles.
Answering questions from the Council, Mr. Doolittle explained that the Town will be maintaining this piece of sidewalk. It is felt that it is important for the Town to maintain this sidewalk so that the Town knows it is clear of snow and is in good shape for the students to use. The Little League complex does not operate in the winter time for Little League, but students still park in the parking lot and the parking lot is plowed.
Public
Mr. David Joy, 100 Bramblebrae came forward speaking to the Council as the Chair of the Board of Education. Mr. Joy stated the Board of Education is seeking for the Town Council’s support on this item. Mr. Joy complimented the combined efforts of the Town and the Board of Education. This will bring safety into a currently caotic situation. The Board of Education will be paying for the construction of this sidewalk.
Mr. Kevin McCann, 170 Lisa Drive, Chair of the Sidewalk & Bikeway Subcommittee. The Sidewalk & Bikeway Subcommittee has addressed the issue of sidewalks on Ayers Road and fully supports sidewalks on Ayers Road and supports extending the sidewalk down to Nevers Road.
Ms. Ginny Hole, 85 LeFoll Boulevard stated she supports the sidewalks on Ayers Road. The proposal is part of the sidewalk plan that the Town of South Windsor approved. Ms. Hole said she would like to see the sidewalks extend to Nevers Road and Graham Road.
Construction of new sidewalk on a portion of Ayers Road
September 15, 2014
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Mr. Skip Bourke, 91 Murielle Drive stated he fully supports the sidewalk on Ayers Road. He would like to see it continue to the intersection in the future.
Mr. Daniel Sullivan, 485 Main Street and Principal of the High School, thanked the Town Council for taking the time to consider this request and the support of all of the Town agencies working to improve student safety. Mr. Sullivan stated he hopes that the Town can partner with the Board of Education in future to further explore ways to improve ways to provide safe arrival to the High School.
Mr. Pat Hankard, 61 Green Lane came forward speaking to the Council as the Director of Facility Operations for the South Windsor schools. Seventy percent of the school year, students arrive at the Little League parking lot in the dark and crossing Ayers Road in the dark. It is not a safe situation. This relatively inexpensive solution is well worth support.
Mr. Ken Sek, 285 Griffin Road stated that the sidewalk is needed and hopes that sidewalk could be continued. The more sidewalks the Town has, the better the community will be.
Mr. Robert Dickinson, 19 Birch Road said he supports this piece of sidewalk and supports continuation to Nevers Road.
Mayor Anwar then asked for a Straw Vote from the public.
Those who are in favor of construction of new sidewalks on a portion of Ayers Road to connect the upper parking lot at the Little League Complex to the South Windsor High School driveway: 14
Those who are opposed of construction of new sidewalks on a portion of Ayers Road to connect the upper parking lot at the Little League Complex to the South Windsor High School driveway: 0
The public hearing was closed at 8:11 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
________________________________
Deborah W. Reid
Clerk of the Council
Public Hearing Notice – Exhibit A
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