SUNAPEE BOARD OF SELECTMEN
MEETING
7:00 PM Town Office Meeting Room
Monday, May 18, 2009
Present: Stephen White Chairman, William Roach Vice-Chairman, Emma Smith, Fred Gallup, Charlotte Brown, Donna Nashawaty Town Manager.
Also Present: Tony Bergeron, Road Agent, Chief David Cahill. (See attached sign-in sheet)
The meeting was called to order by Stephen White, Chairman at 7:00PM
Tony Bergeron, Road Agent
Tony presented 3 proposals to the Board. In Tony’s opinion Alt #1, going counter clockwise or right turns make for a natural flow of traffic.
OPTIONS FOR ONE-WAY LOOP
Alt #1 – Counter-clockwise – between High and Harbor
To enter Harbor area, turn right onto High St., turn left onto River Rd.,
To exit Harbor area, proceed westerly along Main St.
Positives:
“Normal” way of driving
Creates 25 new parking spaces
Encourages development of River esthetics
Provides for safer pedestrian and vehicular flows
Negatives:
Exit from Maple St allowed right turn only
Exit from Garnet St allowed right turn only
Alt #2 – Clockwise – between High and Harbor
To enter Harbor area, proceed along Main St.
To exit Harbor area, proceed to River Rd, to High St, to Main St
Positives:
Brings traffic directly to Harbor
Creates 23 new parking spaces
Provides for safer pedestrian flows
Allows easier access to boat queue
Negatives:
Creates traffic conflicts at Main & High and at Main & River
Exit from Maple allowed left turn only
Exit from Garnet St allowed left turn only
Alternate # 3 – Partial Clockwise – between High and Garnet
To enter Harbor area, proceed along Main St
To exit Harbor area, proceed to River Rd, to High St, to Main St
Positives:
Brings traffic directly to Harbor
Creates 10 new parking spaces
Negatives:
Creates traffic conflict at Main & High
Exit from Maple allowed left turn only to reach Rte 11
Exit from Garnet allowed left turn only
2-way between Garnet and Harbor creates confusion
Will increase traffic on Garnet St
Chief David Cahill
In Chief Cahill’s opinion, he feels Alt #2 is safer for pedestrian traffic. People parking their vehicles on Main Street would be exiting unto the sidewalk. In Alt #1 people would park, exit their vehicles and have to cross the street to get to the sidewalk. Also when people are lining up for the boat queue Chief Cahill is worried about vehicles with trailers trying to make that turn.
Chairman White
Chairman White read an email from Domenic Ciavarro, from Plan NH and Team Leader for the Charrette, regarding the one way loop.
“I am unable to attend the meeting tonight. I hope all goes well for you and Tony regarding a decision from the Select Board.
I also support Alternative One for the one-way loop. Most one-way pairs are set up in the direction of travel to minimize conflicting turning movements. In this instance the one-way loop also enhances on street parking opportunities which will support the businesses in the area. Alternative one, with added parking on River and Main Streets and added visibility to the parking area off High Street, will encourage and enhance the walk-ability of the harbor area.
As noted, the traffic pattern for the boat launch queue should be monitored to ensure compatibility with the counter clockwise traffic pattern. The boat launch queue works very well and provides a space for those waiting to launch a boat that does not impact traffic on Main Street or the immediate harbor area. Ensuring that the sharp right turn from River Road can be made by those with a trailer, or making minor modifications such that the maneuver can occur, will be important.
One word of caution with regard to a temporary implementation of a new traffic pattern. Extra effort should be devoted to advertising the change, and providing signage and clear pavement markings in the immediate area. Many times a trial traffic pattern change fails as a result of poor communication of the change and the lack of appropriate signage and pavement markings that would provide clear direction to motorists.
Please let me know the result of the meeting and if I can be of any support as you pursue changes in the Harbor area.”
Domenic Ciavarro
Public Comments
The meeting was well attended by the public. Some of the concerns of the residents that opposed the one way loop was safety, parking, more signs. Some residents felt that “we don’t need to fix something that’s not broken”. The residents that were in favor bought up that the one way loop was recommended by the Charrette, which thought it would enhance the overall use of the harbor, primarily for the safety of pedestrians. Money was voted to design the one way loop by the residents in March of 2008.
Public Session closed at 8:08PM
Motion to try Alternative #2 by Fred Gallup, seconded by Emma Smith.
Motion amended to make High Street one way. Try Alternative #2 starting the week of June 15th and will end the week of Labor Day by Fred Gallup, seconded by Emma Smith All in Favor Unanimous.
Donna Nashawaty
Donna presented the updated organizational chart for the Town of Sunapee with the change from Lieutenant to Sergeant and the Sergeant’s job description, which remained the same. Motion to accept changes to organizational chart by Fred Gallup, seconded by Emma Smith. All in Favor Unanimous.
Chief Cahill informed the Board that after the Oral Board interviews conducted Thursday, May 14th that Officer Neal Cobb has been promoted to Sergeant
effective June 1st. One of the part-time officer will become full-time on June 1st. There is an “officer in training” who will be allowed to be on his own for 2 months (July and August) and possibly become full-time in September.
Chairman’s Report
The Board will hold a non-public meeting on Wednesday, May 20th at 7:00 in the Town conference room for the Town Manager’s review.
Chairman White handed out to the Board a letter that was delivered to the Town Hall from Peter Urbach to Chairman Stephen White (see attached letter) concerning the “public comment” portion of the meeting.
Chairman White asked if the Board would like him to write a letter to the County Commission asking them to cut or level fund the budget. The letter would be hand delivered to the County Commissioners at the June 1st Board of Selectmen’s meeting, which the Commissioners will be attending. Permission from the Board was granted.
Chairman White would like the Town Manager to write a letter to the Town Of Portmouth regarding the passing of Mayor Sirrell. Also, he would like the Town Manager to write a letter to Claremont Savings Bank thanking them for the quick response in cleaning up the Sunapee Center property.
Sue Gottling
The public hearing on the budget will be on Thursday, May 28th at 6:30PM in Newport downstairs courthouse.
Town Manager’s Report
Donna received 2 money orders totaling $558.53, which includes $55.00 for first tax installment for 2009 from Steven Voyditch to buy back his property that was deeded to the Town located on North Shore Road. Motion to accept the payment from Steven Voyditch by Fred Gallup, seconded by William Roach. All in Favor. Unanimous.
Motion to adjourn: Unanimous Meeting adjourned at 9:30PM
Submitted by,
Barbara Vaughn
Administrative Assistant Approved:
Stephen White, Chairman Charlotte Brown
William Roach, Vice-Chairman Frederick Gallup
Emma Smith
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