VPC Minutes

Wed., June 10

7 p.m., Daniels Room

 

Present: Mary Covington, David Drasba, Mike Fallon, Kurt Grassett, Howard Mansfield, Tom Pisaturo, Dennis Rossiter

Absent: Jim Gamble

For the Selectboard: John Jordan

Public: Jack Bowes, Steve Fillebrown, Nahida Sherman, Jeff Wilder

 

 

1. Review of June 4 public meeting & drafting of memo to Chad Brannon @ MLS.

The VPC prepared this memo:

a. The "cowpaths" on the south of the street are out of the plan. The Selectboard will decide how to handle any changes to the cowpaths at a later date. The VPC suggests backfilling the paths to make them more walkable, and to extend the paths to the corner of Forest Rd., and to Hosely Rd. as requested by residents at the design meetings. The width of the paths will also be determined by the Selectboard.

b. Take all crosswalks out of the plan.

c. Reduce the size of the cobble "peninsula" in front of the Market.

d. Add two parking spaces in front of the church.

e. A traffic island at the west end only makes sense if it is used with a stop sign.

f. The use of edging is a very sensitive subject. The VPC will review all the applications of edging, using it primarily in areas where there is much parking. Other edging treatments, such as restored grass berms should be considered. Where possible the edging should be "minimal."

The edging material should also be reviewed, including using different kinds of granite in different places, reusing existing granite, finding a darker granite, tumbled or flamed granite, setting it so grass grows between it. Also consider using a chipsealed asphalt edge with a low profile in certain places.

 

2. Dennis will write the Happenings article on the June 4^th meeting.

 

3. David will prepare the Power Point from June 4^th for the website

 

4. Comments from public attending meeting:

 

-- Steve Fillebrown: There is historical significance to the edging as it is with its "indefinite transition from paving to grass" including the potholes and puddles. He presented a photo of existing conditions.

Also, Fillebrown "still questions the wisdom" of using a traffic island at the west end. He is concerned about the sight lines.

 

-- Jeff Wilder: He has been concerned that the VPC has not responded to the public's concerns as expressed at the first two design meetings. But tonight "you've hit it on the nose." He does want a "simple, usable sidewalk." But he urges that we keep the village as it is as much as possible.

 

--Nahida Sherman: Emphasized that there was a strong dislike of the crosswalks at the meeting.

 

--Jack Bowes: Praised the VPC for all its work. Made these comments:

-- We can get a "ragged edge" by using certain settings on the asphalt-laying machinery.

-- With more deep-sump basins we wouldn't need edging for drainage.

-- Suggested that mock ups of the edging be made to insure that the contractor correctly executes the design.

-- Suggested a meeting with just Main St. residents. VPC said that those residents have been at the last two public design meetings.

-- Bushes not appropriate on Main St. between sidewalk and street.

-- Likes the term "soft edges" as it was used by Howard

 

5. Next Meeting: June 17.

 

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