Approved

Middlesex Select Board
Minutes of November 8, 2005

Present: Walter Kelley, Bill Callnan, Cindy Carlson, Peter Hood, Mary Just Skinner, Mary Alexander, Brenda Persons, Jessie Dupont, heather Furman, Steve Gladezuk, Amy Bell, Denise Sanders, Jill Smith, Angelo Napolitan, Don Wexler, Dave Shepard, Barry Goodman, Joe Segalle, David Saladino

Meeting called to order at 6:30 pm.

Public Hearing – Traffic Calming Middlesex Village
Barry Goodman addresses the meeting. The Conservation Commission received an enhancement grant to conduct a study for traffic calming in the village. The purpose of this meeting is to get input from residents regarding pedestrian, traffic and gateway issues. The study has been conducted by RSG Engineering Company. This study does not commit the town to any of the recommendations that will be made.

An annualized traffic study indicates the median speed is between 32-37 mph through the village. An accident history was reviewed; there were no reported crashes for a 5-year period. Functional Classification was reviewed; this is used to collect traffic from a smaller road onto a main source of travel. Generalized Land Uses in the Village was reviewed as part of the study. 

Comments: 
There was discussion of 3-foot shoulder, which is the state recommendation, for the use of bicycles and pedestrians. The shoulder through the village is anywhere from 1’ to 5’. To widen the shoulder land would have to be taken from property owners.

There was discussion of a sidewalk through town, do people feel safe walking through the village and is there a need for sidewalks in the village? Residents stated safety is the concern in the village. Traffic travels to fast. It was felt if there are sidewalks people would park in the side of the road or park on the sidewalk to step into the sidewalk. It is possible to put a 7” granite curb to help deter parking on the sidewalks. It was suggested that a walk/bike lane should be created instead, as with sidewalks bikers have to use the road. It was noted that the wider the shoulder the faster cars travel and residents felt a 2-3’ wide lane for a bicyclist is adequate. It was noted that as you travel through town, the best side of the road changes. There is no space to get out of the way of traffic while walking in some areas through the village. 

There was discussion of safety issues at the village store. There have been vehicles travel through the parking lot from RT #2 and exit onto 100B without stopping, to avoid the turning traffic at the intersection. The intersection is very close to the entrance to the store and the intersection is not well lit. If someone is crossing the road, it is difficult to see him or her. Suggestions were made to install some pedestrian friendly lighting, define parking spaces in the store parking lot and reduce the size of the entrance to the store from 100B. Further discussion of downsizing the entrance way concerned citizens as it could cause back up of traffic on RT #2, and there are delivery trucks that would have a more difficult time of entering the parking lot. 

Other suggestions were to provide parking for the public at the former Morse property, better signage for the intersection on 100B, more speed enforcement by the State Police through the village, lower the speed limit to 25mph and better gateway notice of the village.  There was discussion of the former Morse property. It is the hope to develop this property; currently there is a feasibility study for a town building need being finalized. This property could be developed with town buildings, providing access to the river or a park. Access to the property should be considered as part of this study. 

The Board states they understand why some residents would recommend sidewalks versus a walkway.  However, there are long-term financial needs associated with sidewalks that have to be considered; maintenance, plowing, sanding and liability to the town of any potential injuries. If a walkway were built instead, the State would be responsible for maintenance.

The Board moves into its regular meeting.

Don Wexler, Town of Moretown, Steve Gladczuk, VT By-Ways Project
The Town of Moretown is going to ask that 100B through Moretown be designated as a scenic by-way. They are asking the Board to include Middlesex as part of this request. The designation is for a 5-year period. If the two towns submit the request as one, it is a stronger package for the approval process. 

The designation allows the community to define projects within the designation. There is possible grant money available for projects like such as the traffic calming. The designation does not change zoning or limit the type of traffic that can use the by-way. The state considers the designation a by-way it is only labeled scenic by-way or historic by-way. Moretown will host another public hearing before the request goes to the Transportation Board for review and a final decision. 

Motion:   Mary Alexander moves to seek designation of the RT #100B Vermont By-Way before the Scenic Preservation Council with conjunction of the Town of Moretown. Mary Just Skinner seconds. Motion passes 3 to 2

Gary Lamell, Road Commissioner
A proposed temporary driveway permit application was reviewed.
 
Motion: Mary Alexander moves to approve the process of implementing a temporary driveway/access permit and the proposed temporary driveway/access permit application. Bill seconds, motion carries.

Gary will notify the contractors when they call him that the application is required and a notice will be placed in the occasional.
 
The town has not been reimbursed yet for the project on Government Hill. Gary will be applying for grants for replacement of a culvert on the Brook Road. The doors have been installed on the town garage and they still have to install the heating system. 

Other Business
All orders were signed

Motion: Mary Just Skinner moves to approve the 10/27/05 minutes. Walter seconds, motion carries.

Motion: Mary Alexander moves to approve the 9/27/05 minutes.  Mary Just Skinner seconds, motion carries.

Motion: Mary Alexander moves to approve the 10/5/05 minutes. Mary Just Skinner seconds, motion carries.

The Band Stand Committee has received notice that a grant in the amount of $2,700 has been approved. The Committee is looking for a business sponsors for the project for future concerts. The Committee has raised all the funding for this project, there has been no town funds contributed, other than the use of the equipment. 

The Cemetery Commission will meet on 11/16/05 at 6:30 pm.

The audit report was given to the Board Members for review. The Board would like to schedule the review the Bill Yaccavonni as soon as possible.

Correspondence
Introduction to the Vermont Marijuana Policy Project

VLCT News

George D. Aiken RC&D & Northern Vermont RC&D

Letter from Ruth Shuman concerning meeting special needs

VLCT 2006 Winter Olympics

Letter from Michael Levine requesting permission to remove trees along the Bear Swamp trail
Ok to do per the board

CT Economic Development – Survey concerning the towns economic priorities

State of Vermont Department of Taxes concerning FY 2006 Lister Training Subaccount Balance

VT State Police Enforcement Contract Summary for September 2005

Constable Log from Jim Paige for September – October 2005

Green UP Day notification – May 6, 2006

Overweight Permit
Daniel R. Molleur

Motion:  Bill moves to approve the Overweight Permit for Daniel R. Molleur. Mary Alexander seconds, motion carries.

The Board discusses the enforcement of the Junk Ordinance. Final letters will be written with notification that tickets will be issued if property owners do not comply with the ordinance.

Meeting adjourns at 9:15 pm.

Respectfully submitted,



Cindy Carlson
Executive Assistant to
The Middlesex Select Board