Comprehensive Plan Update Committee
Meeting Minutes
March 13, 2002
Stimson Hall
Present: Jack Goosetrey, Mitch Berkowitz, Dick Cahill, Don Hutchings, Ralph Taylor, Mark Grover, Jason Wilson, Cole Thompson, Don Whitney and Edward Michaels
Mr. Hutchings called the meeting to order at 6:30 p.m.
I. Approval of Minutes February 4, 2002
No action was taken on the minutes.
II. Information Exchange
Mr. Cahill distributed a compilation of the homework assignment responses that the Committee worked on the previous week. Both problems areas of concerns and suggestions for improvements were noted. A complete package containing the Committee s emailed/mailed comments were also distributed as well as a small street map of the Town of Gray for reference. Copies of the March 20th agenda were also distributed and it was noted that Harvey Oest would be presenting a briefing on transportation issues at that meeting. Jim Hicks will provide the Committee with a draft of the chapter on population and housing at the March 20th meeting.
Mr. Hutchings suggested the Committee look over all the areas outlined in response to the Committees assignment regarding problems and solutions and prioritize them in anticipation of the next meeting and to serve to provide Mr. Hicks with some direction.
Jason Wilson mentioned Richard Barter s suggestion at the last meeting that the Committee look into what the town could do to alleviate traffic concerns (i.e. loop/ring roads) without the state s involvement. Mr. Wilson asked the Town Manager what the town s resources are for implementing improvements. Mr. Berkowitz explained that there are not a lot of available dollars but that the town could plan over the long-term for allocating money for projects subject to the voters approval. Mitch added that after a list of proposals is formulated; the town could be in the position to plan to appropriate money for future improvements. Transportation funds are diminishing and land and water conservation funds are marginal at best. Monies appropriated for planning/studies are minimal and are not used for
implementation. Jason suggested the Committee consider going through the town s current zoning laws and codes to insure that they are both in keeping with the comprehensive plan s focus. Mitch proposed the Committee keep in mind short to mid term (15-30 months) projects, and long term ones (30-48 months) while they ponder improvements and planning. Mr. Wilson said that if the Committee could identify any obsolete codes and eliminate the unnecessary ones, changes could be implemented without costing the Town any money.
Mr. Grover proposed that the Committee assign number values to the possible solutions so that a value could be placed on desirability, cost and practicality. After this process is done, the higher values could then be prioritized. The Committee agreed to assess each bulleted item by first numbering them in sequence and then assigning a number value between 1 and 5 with 5 being the highest priority and 1 the lowest in the three areas (desirability, cost, practicality).
The following traffic problems were cited and a review of the potential solutions were discussed and assigned a number value.
Traffic Problems Identified:
§ Gray Corner Traffic
§ Exit 11 Traffic
§ Libby Hill Road/Route 26 Intersection Traffic
§ No. Raymond Road/Route 26 Intersection Traffic
§ Route 115 (Yarmouth Road) Gravel Truck Traffic
§ Intersection at Brown Street and Yarmouth Road (Route 115)
§ Pedestrian Safety
§ Large Trucks using Exit 11 and Gray Corner to avoid paying the toll at the Gray/New Gloucester Toll Barrier
This chart references MEMO dated 2-21-02 from Dick Cahill to CPUC
1=Low 5=High Bullets were numbered in sequence.
Bullet/# Desirability Cost Value/Practicality
Page 2.
1 3 1 1
2 4 2 4
3 4 4 4
4. 1 1 1
Page 3
1 0 0 0
2 5 5 5
3 4 4 4
4 4 4 4
5 need to look at configuration/recommendations and to observe the impacts associated with the bypass
6 0 0 0
7 1 1 1
8 5 5 5
9 5 5 5
10 5 5 5
11 3 3 3
12 4 4 4
13 5 5 5
14 5 3 5
15 0 0 0
Page 4
1 3 3 3
2 - - -
3 - - -
4 0 0 0
1=Low 5=High Bullets were numbered in sequence.
Bullet/# Desirability Cost Value/Practicality
Page 5
1 5 5 5
2 4 4 4
3 5 5 5
4 5 5 5
5 5 5 5
6 3 3 3
7 3 3 3
8 3 3 3
9 4 4 4
Page 6
1 4 4 4
2 - - -
3 4 4 4
4 - - -
5 0 0 5
6. - - -
7 - - -
8 5 5 5
9 - - -
10 will review zoning and possible business general area
11 5 5 5
12 5 5 5
13 - - -
14 5 5 5
Edward Michaels voiced his concern that adding additional roads or lanes to existing roads would facilitate more growth to the town with adding any benefits to the citizens. Mr. Berkowitz said that the statistics obtained from the traffic studies indicate that most of the traffic is due to cars driving through Gray. Mr. Hutchings suggested that the consultants look at Gray Corner keeping in mind that the bypass will eliminate some of the existing downtown traffic. Mitch made the point that some of the costs associated with widening (of existing roads) would not cost the town that much money because the work would be part of the BTIP. (i.e. collector roads, Dry Mills/North Road Rd and Route 100/American Legion)
The Committee discussed turning restrictions at Dunkin Donuts and the possible implementation of a barrier to stop traffic from turning left (headed north on Route 26), which creates major traffic backup problems during peak hours. The issue of law enforcement was also discussed.
Another highly favored suggestion was renovating Pennell Institute to be used as the municipal office building and in exchange for the school departments use of the town office building. This proposal would put the municipal offices in the town s historical district
Mr. Grover discussed widening Shaker Road from the entrance of the new bypass through to the High School to three lanes. Mark noted that motorists are passing cars by using the bike lane which is very unsafe. It was mentioned that the State might have plans to widen that section of Route 26 after the completion of the bypass project. Costs would be reduced if the State were planning to widen that section in their second phase (post bypass) plans. This suggestion falls into a mid-range planning category.
The State may also be interested in the proposed suggestion that would create a connection from Depot Road/Route 115 to Route 100 N or S. If the state were interested in this idea a wetland study would have to be done (which they would pay for). Another alternative would be to avoid the wetlands and use Whitney Road.
Mr. Edwards asked again about projected growth associated with the road improvements. Mr. Hutchings said that a feasibility study would have to be done to assess that and the State would pay for the study. Mr. Berkowitz added that the bypass is a limited access highway and that in addition, restricting certain areas as “no growth areas” could also help limit growth.
The Committee discussed the impact of Pineland s business campus and the study that showed 50% of the traffic coming from east/west (Windham) direction. The need for a ring road to route traffic to and from Pineland should be studied and revisited by the State.
The Committee agreed to revisit the idea of having the Public Safety/Traffic committee maintain a continuing road plan when the Committee reviews the zoning section of the plan. Mr. Thompson suggested that the town seriously consider working with New Gloucester with regard to future planning and to work on solving traffic concerns. Dick Cahill and Mitch Berkowitz explained that talks were in progress and that the towns are being to work on traffic issues more regionally. Dick said that the town has to look at how to get around traveling through the center of town and start to look at connecting roads that will bypass the village. (i.e. Mayall Road to Route 26 to Poland connecting to Route 85) Other options would be to use signage to help motorists to utilize Lawrence Road from Route 115 or Dutton Hill to avoid Gray
Center.
The idea of a joint recreation department between the towns of Gray and New Gloucester was also mentioned as well as how the town can improve the public s perception of the school department.
Mr. Berkowitz explained that a traditional public sewer system was not feasible due to the lack of discharge capabilities and the high expense. Neighborhood-wide septic systems could be a reasonable alternative with land behind Pennell School used for a sewer district that would encourage businesses at a price they could afford.
There was significant support for having an ongoing planning process headed up by someone (or a committee ) who would help implement the changes after Phase 2 and work on ongoing planning. Perhaps an annual report on what steps have implemented from the plan could be part of this process.
Mr. Thompson suggested a feasibility study be done to determine whether or not the Woolen Mill could be renovated. Mr. Thompson suggested that research on the Woolen Mill would be needed - which he offered to do on a volunteer basis. Corporate sponsorship would be another way to obtain funding as well as applying for grant money. Mr. Wilson and Mr. Thompson both offered to work on the smaller issues by heading up subgroups for the Woolen Mill and town zoning.
Both Mr. Edwards and Mr. Thompson expressed concern that the protection of natural resources suggestion only received a number 3 out of a possible 5.
Mr. Berkowitz said he would add up the point values and document those suggestions that received a total of 12 or more points, putting them in sequence.
III. Adjournment
It was moved and seconded to adjourn the meeting.
The Committees vote was unanimous.
The meeting adjourned at 9:02 p.m.
The next meeting will be held on Wednesday, March 20, 2002 at 6:30 p.m. at Stimson Hall- Jim Hicks, Mike Casino and Harvey Oest will be in attendance.
Respectfully submitted,
Janmarie A. Bourret
Recorder
Notary Public
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