Main Street Working Group wants constructive public input next week

Last night, the Main Street Design Working Group expressed worries about necessary public comment and its pending deadline.

Next week, the group is inviting public comment from 7-9 on Monday, June 2 and Thursday, June 5. Member Claire Reynolds hoped that residents wouldn’t hold their objections to make a show at the June 18th state public hearing.

Others discussed keeping commenters on track. The town’s engineering consultants urged the group to minimize non-constructive rants. VHB’s Brian Brosnan referred to vague comments made at the DPW’s April 2nd public meeting.

Member and Main Street resident Stephen Phillips argued that people have the right to say they prefer simply repaving the road. He said it’s a valid perspective. Brosnan responded that kind of criticism is constructive. He worried about people saying they don’t like it or that it ruins “the rural character” without any specifics that they can address or fix.

For the past several weeks, the Main Street Design Working Group has been working with the Department of Public Works and VHB to better understand the proposed reconstruction project. They have been assessing details, issues, noted criticism and pushing for alternative options.

Last night, Selectman Bonnie Phaneuf asked the group when they would have a report available to the public. The answer wasn’t firm. Chair Martin Healey mentioned, but didn’t commit to, June 9th.

The group will appear before the Board of Selectmen on Tuesday, June 3 to give them an update. The next BOS Meeting will be on June 17th, the night before the state hearing. Healey acknowledged that people need to see something in advance of that meeting.

Healey expects that a report will show areas of unanimity, consensus, and some splits. He hopes the report will cleary outline those positions.

At last night’s meeting, the group invited key stakeholders for questioning and feedback. They sought to better understand the police and fire chiefs public safety concerns.

Several times during the meeting, Healey pressed the DPW to weigh trade offs and let them know about wiggle room. In reference to a DPW advocated cross walk being for safety, Healey pointed out that a traffic light would be even safer. He said the object is to reasonably cover safety issues but with the least impact to the area.

One area of debate last night was the proposed full arm traffic light at the fire station. Currently, in traffic, the fire truck is forced to drive the wrong way down the eastbound lane to get around cars queued behind the light. (That is after cars blocking the drivewaay clear – often forcing them to back up.)

Under the proposal, the station would trigger a red light for Main Street traffic at the end of the station driveway. At the intersection of routes 30 and 85, Rout 30 westbound would have a green light. All other directions would have a red light. This would allow westbound traffic to clear, so the fire truck can safely proceed.

A detailed discussion seemed to bring the working group to agreement in support of a light. However, Selectman Paul Cimino questioned whether a simple pole with a flashing light that turns red would suffice. A VHB consultant argued that kind of light causes driver confusion and leads to accidents. He said it is against modern traffic regulations.

Healey asked to see the specific regulations to understand if there is any “wiggle room”. The group will follow up on that in next week’s meetings.

The group also asked for input from Pilgrim Church about proposed changes to the common and the look at their front entrance. Phil Davis, representing Pilgrim Church, spoke supportively of the project. He believed that any issues to the church were minor and could be worked out.

Freddie Gillespie, a church Deacon, criticized the timing of communications. She said she had just learned of the meeting through the blog. The meeting at which Davis planned to communicate with deacons won’t take place until after next week’s public comment period.

DPW Director Karen Galligan stated that any issues regarding the sidewalk at the church was something that could be worked out after the 25% design stage.

Agendas for next week’s meetings aren’t available yet. Stay tuned for details.