SIDEWALK FORUM Minutes 12.06.11
December 8, 2011
TOWN OF BRADFORD
SIDEWALK FORUM
DECEMBER 6, 2011
4:00PM
Call to Order and Roll Call:
The Sidewalk meeting opened at 4:05pm with Harry Wright, Selectmen Chair, Barry Wheeler, Jack Meaney, Cheryl Behr, Administrator and Marge Cilley, Secretary present.
Mike Croteau, SEA Consultants, Inc. and Randy Knowles, ASLA, Knowles Design, a landscaping architect were present and presented a general plan of the sidewalk on East Main Street which was posted on the wall for all to peruse. This plan shows peoples homes, property lines, Right of Ways, and utility poles and the limit of slopes if they are outside of the Right of Way. A full size of preliminary plans on the desk as well.
Randy Knowles advised there will be landscaping done where needed and from Route 103, trees will be planted, but there will still be good visability. Maple trees will be used which will match existing landscaping, and will go in at 2 ½ to 3 inches. Japanese lilac trees of about 12’ will be used, which will stay small. Projections on the wall showed the Pizza Chef area as well as the Community Center and how it will look when the sidewalk project is completed, showing concrete sidewalk on the south side of the street with Granite curbing on both sides as well as a bike lane. Native trees will be used as much as possible, but will depend upon the time of year.
Mike Croteau gave an update on where we are right now, and the reason for this second meeting is contractual to provide a second Public Informational meeting per the contract with the town as well as with DOT. We also want to get any additional feedback since our last meeting because the last meeting was a conceptual approach. What was given to DOT was basically a 32 feet of new paved corridor which included the 11 foot travel lanes, the 5 foot bike lanes and the granite curb on both sides. A more advanced, and more thorough look of the horizontal alignment that was adjusted and the vertical profile which is the road way, is presented today. Mike went through the plans as they are today, which were highlighted on the wall for all to follow.
The amount not covered with the Transportation Enhancement (non participating funds) that the town will be responsible for paving is estimated at $144,000.00 which will be presented to the town in a Warrant Article. However, Mike advised there are some contingencies in them right now, and they will get to a final number as they proceed with the design. Mike advised that some of the components that were not included, (non participating) were: common excavation, fine grading, crushed gravel. Pavement, flaggers and maintenance of traffic items were in there which are the percentage of the work that is actually to the center core for reconstructing a roadway. The total estimate for the project is $439,000.00 for the sidewalk portion.
Mike advised that anything that was a CMP (Corrugated Metal Pipe) probably rusted away will get dug out. Anything that is an RCO (Reinforced Concrete Pipe) or HDP (Polyethylene Pipe) will stay as they are suitable under the roadway.
Steel plates imbedded in concrete for Handicapped detectable warning panels will be put in street crossings and at crosswalk between Cilley Lane and the Community Center.
The crosswalk crossing at route 114 was discussed at length as was the drainage off 114 and the current sidewalk at Lafayette Square. Mike Croteau will investigate if a sidewalk can be called for there if it does not meet criteria, this is on State Highway. No objections were heard.
Mike advised they have been meeting with Historical and Archeological groups and there were no Archeological findings which were in some of the meeting minutes that were furnished to the town. This has to be done prior to putting the project out to bid, since it includes Federal money, so DOT has to sign off on it.
Mike advised they are putting 6” of reinforced concrete at commercial driveways which includes rebar, and the remainder of the corridor is 4” with no rebar.
Some utility poles will be relocated including the one at the two lane driveway up back at the former Naughton property, which could be elderly housing at some point.
Question was asked if Main Street does need to be paved to which Mike advised it will need to be re-graded and paved to be a finished corridor.
Mike advised Utility companies will be contacted and there are no wetland permitting required.
Next Steps:
Preliminary Plans submission and Submit drawings as they are to DOT as soon as possible. Right of Way Certificate, Section 11 –Cheryl will go over them with Mike.
Cultural and Historical Signoff.
Final Plans will include drainage improvements, project specifications with specs. Projects will meet NHDOT criteria for Roadway & Bridge construction.
Mike advised the final plans will be done by the end of January and there is a three week window for bidding, so the bids will be in by the first week of March.
Mike Croteau addressed the water problem at the Pizza Chef and he advised it can be diverted and made a note of the problem.
Cheryl Behr, Administrator questioned a street light in front of the Community Center.
Some of the pictures that were shown this evening were requested to have to be used at Town Meeting. Mike advised this is possible.
John Greenwood and committee members thanked Jim Bruss and Jeff Taylor for coming to this meeting and expressing their input.
Meeting adjourned at 5:30pm.
Respectfully submitted,
Marjorie R. Cilley, Secretary
Safe Routes to Schools Minutes 05.12.11
May 13, 2011
TOWN OF BRADFORD
P O BOX 436
BRADFORD, N.H. 03221
SAFE ROUTE TO SCHOOL MEETING
MAY 12, 2011
2:30PM
Present were: Dawn Rich, Marilyn Gordon, Harry Wright, Selectmen Representative, Cheryl Behr, Administrator, , Laura Hallahan, Don West, Kearsarge Elementary School, Jim Valiquet, Police Chief, Nik Coates, CNHRPC, Craig Tufts, CNHRPC, and Marge Cilley, Secretary.
The meeting opened at 3:40 with Nik Coates, CNHRPC discussing the Bike Rodeo which will be held Saturday, May 14 from 10:00am until 12:00 Noon. Don West advised he and Chief Valiquet have the Bike Rodeo ready. This is open to area towns as well as Bradford, and will be held at the Bradford Elementary School. Chief Valiquet stated that as the children arrive, their bicycles will be looked at by Will Hurley, Out Spoken. They will be checked to make sure they do have helmets. They can go through the cones if they want to, do the figure eight and stop and go. Last year about 35 students attended. They do have 25 more helmets to be given away. There will be three police officers attending.
Nik Coates advised that starting Monday through Friday of next week, May 16, 2011, they will be doing “Commute Green” This is trying to get every school in the state, every town, and every business in the State to try to walk, bike and car pool. The goal is to get 50,000 miles reduced in the State for that week. The deadline for signing on for schools is May 13, 2011. The 23rd of May is the last date that one can log on their accomplishment.
One thought was that students could be let off on the Route 103 end of Old Warner Road which would be closer to the school for walking, plus they would not have to walk over the hill as pointed out by Chief Valiquet.
It was thought that the fall is a good time to begin new projects, and there will be a June meeting to begin organizing, and some of the ideas are:
1. Pick a drop off locations.
2. Check with the Bus Company as well as Maintenance Director.
3. Draft letter to parents
4. Draft map for parents
Cheryl Behr, Administrator questioned if other drop off places can be considered where students walk to catch a bus, pulling other students into it.
Nik Coates gave an area map showing bus routes to Don West.
Some handouts suggested were key chains, rubber bracelets and Nik will bring in samples.
Don West, Kearsarge Elementary School advised a news letter will be going out to the parents from the school, and one page could be dedicated to Safe Route to School information.
Nik Coates, CNHRPC advised Beth Richards, National Development Director for all Safe Routes to School for all over the country, works out of Concord. Ms. Richards has stated that any school that wants to participate in Commuter Green or any Safe Route to School endeavor is available to talk with any group to help with ideas of what they can do.
Chief Valiquet questioned if there was any money for signage as currently there is no sign on Old Warner Road stating there is a school near by. A sign showing operating hours and perhaps a solar speed sign showing the speed limit that will also reflect the actual speed one is going. Also, the 4th of July town celebration was discussed with ideas of putting out information at tables with safety fliers, key chains, book marks etc. Nik Coates, CNHRPC stated that the current Grant did not include this, however, future Grants applied for certainly can include signage.
Meeting adjourned 4:20pm
Respectfully submitted,
Marjorie R. Cilley
Secretary
Safe Routes to Schools Minutes 01.13.11
January 16, 2011
SAFE ROUTES TO SCHOOL
JANUARY 13, 2011
3:30PM
Nik Coates, CNHRPC opened the Safe Route to School meeting which was held on January 13, 2011 at 3:43pm with Don West, Principal Bradford KRSD, Cheryl Behr, Administrator, Dawn Rich, Laura Hallahan, Marilyn Gordon, Jim Valiquet, Police Chief, and Marge Cilley, Secretary present.
Don West, Principal stated that the concert at school went very well, and they did get some surveys, but not enough. Teacher surveys were few, but the parent surveys had about 80 returned. This will be revisited in the spring. It was thought that there are about 214 students and 180/190 families. Actually are hoping for a 75% return. There are other events coming up. Two news letters have gone out from the Principle’s office, and the teachers send them out regularly. Poster boards were mentioned as a possibility as well as putting information out in the business community.
TE Grant:
Cheryl Behr, Administrator advised the RFQ’s have gone out for Engineers for the sidewalks and there was a great turn out held on January 5, 2011. January 20th is the date the proposals are due. Shelters for the students were also discussed at the Jan. 5th meeting. Other concerns noted were additional lighting by the Community Center, and a bike lane. The next round will be in July. One thought was to run the sidewalk down Greenhouse Lane, avoiding Route 114 to the Post Office. Another thought was to go down Cilley Lane.
Also brought up is the 24 acres off Main Street with the possibility of a HUD Senior housing which would be a good example for new road and best to put sidewalk in at that time. Nik offered language to put on file for future use which has been used by other towns/cities.
Evaluation:
Don West, KRSD suggested he make available addresses and bus routes with no names attached. Other concerns noted were signs stating School Zone with hours.
Base maps 8 ½ x 11 could be distributed to parents and have their route to school traced which would highlight routes mostly used as well as most direct route.
Level of service analysis, including measurements, speed and each road would be graded as A the safest and E least safe. Accident data will be put on a map to show trouble spots. Chief Valiquet advised the intersection at Main Street and Route 114 is the area of concern. Speed and Traffic control will be done in the spring.
Education:
Nik Coates, NHRPC asked if anyone could update/dress up fliers and brochures and Laura Hallihan volunteered. Don West, KRSD suggested some students could also work on this project.
Nik Coates advised he will have Scott Lane, DARE Officer forward some information to the Bradford Police Dept. Jim Vailiquet, Chief advised he could give it to Ed Shaughnessy, Bradford’s DARE Officer to look at.
Encouragement:
Incentives such as shoe laces, zipper pulls etc are some mentioned and Nik will forward more information regarding this.
May 20, 2011 is the National Bike/Walk to Work date and it was suggested that some sort of celebration would be in order. Dawn Rich mentioned the map on the School Wall which was the First Walking Map done in 1988. Walk to School Days could be set up where the busses drop off students and volunteers, police, parents will walk to school with the students. This could be a good follow-up after the May 20, 2011 event.
Dave Toppin, a Certified Instructor for Biking and Bike Safety could be contacted for a Bike/Walking Safety Course with the Bradford Police Dept. for a spring activity. Also Bill Herlihy, Out Spokin would be asked if he could do inspections.
Enforcement:
Bradford Police Department community awareness. Chief Valiquet addressed Old Warner Road as being an area of concern. School In Session Signs would be helpful as well as School Zone signs with hours posted on them.
Next meeting scheduled for: Thursday, February 10, 2011 at 3:30pm.
Meeting adjourned at 4:45pm.
Respectfully submitted,
Marjorie R. Cilley,
Secretary
Safe Routes to Schools Minutes 11.19.09
November 22, 2009
TOWN OF BRADFORD
SAFE WALK TO SCHOOL MEETING
NOVEMBER 19, 2009
3:30PM
In attendance were: Nik Coates, CNHRPC, Cheryl Behr, Administrator, Debbie Flinkstrom, Dawn Rich, Kate Dobrowski, Andrew Pinard, Beth Rodd and Marge Cilley, Secretary. Audrey Sylvester was absent.
Audrey Sylvester brought in pictures taken at the Community the day of the Scavenger Hunt.
The Scavenger Hunt went off very well with the exception of the heavy rain. The Halloween gathering was very well attended with over 200 there. In reply to some questions to children regarding side walks, one child said: “Get new ones” another said “Where are they? Questionnaires were looked at and people were asked to leave them at the Town Office.
Another subject brought up was how dark Main Street is and it is very difficult seeing walkers after dark, especially when the late school busses unload on Main Street. It was thought that the street lights that were taken away about ten years ago should be put back. The money saved in electricity is inconsequential.
Nik Coates, CNHRPC advised he spoke to the Bradford PTO last evening and had positive results. He handed out the prepared packets for Safe Route to School. He advised he had also spoken with the Sutton Board of Selectmen who wants to do Safe Route to School also, and would like to extend an invitation to attend their meetings and would like to be included in Bradford’s, making this a district wide approach.
Nik Coates’, CNHRPC office will be doing a Safe Route to School conference in March to include the whole state. At this time the date has not been set. Local experts from the whole region will do seminars to help communities get their Safe Routes to School projects rolling. A task force meeting to include Warner, Bradford, Sutton, Newbury would be beneficial.
Mr. Spadaro, Principal, Kearsarge Bradford School will distribute Safe Route to School information in the school news letter.
The infrastructure is already in place at the school with the existing trails etc.
One thought was to give each school child a journal to record how many miles they have walked as a wellness/healthy living exercise each week, and could be incorporated as part of their English class. Another thought is to work with the school and do a mapping of routes to school.
The next task was thought to have a survey inserted in the Bradford Bridge, and also put it on the Bradford Web Site. For the next several months, the main effort will be put into the surveys, circulating and getting them turned in to the town office.
Also there will be a traffic count and this could be worked out with the Road Agent. It would include volume, speed and classification of vehicles. This would be for a week in the spring for 24/7. Also a walking audit was discussed with an inventory, observation, striping and conditions which would be done with teams.
In the spring, a Bike Rodeo to include how to fix bikes will be planned, coordinated with the police and Will Hurley. Also a Community Night may be planned for the spring.
There will be a Book Sale at the school probably early December and the goal is to make up some book marks about Safe Routes to School to hand out for each book sold as well as place some in the library.
March 29, 2010 is the day notification of the Grant that was applied for should come.
The next temporarily scheduled meetings are:
December 17, 2009
January 14, 2010
February 18, 2010
March 11, 2010
April 8, 2010
Motion to Adjourn 4:30pm
Respectfully submitted,
Marjorie R. Cilley
Secretary
Safe Routes to School Task Force Meeting 11.05.09
November 9, 2009
BRADFORD SAFE ROUTES TO SCHOOL
TASK FORCE MEETING
TOWN HALL
NOVEMBER 5, 2009
3:30PM
Present at the Nov. 5, 2009 meeting were: Andrew Pinard, Chair. Evan Aird, CNHRPC, Cheryl Behr, Town Administrator, Dawn Rich, Marvin Rich, Kate Dobrowski, Shanna Braden, Audrey Sylvester, Jim Valiquet, Police Chief, Marge Cilley, Secretary.
Halloween Event:
Andrew Pinard asked for in put regarding the Halloween party held at the Community Center. Cheryl Behr advised many pictures were taken of the children as they came in. Many flyers were handed out which contained a map on the reverse for Safe Route to School, and many people were talked with explaining the project. There were between 200 and 300 participants in the activities that night. People were asked to return the surveys either at the town hall, or at the Community Center.
The school survey will be from a hand count as the individual teachers ask a question, for a show of hands, and they will report the responses.
It was suggested posting the flyer’s in Newbury at the Post Office, Library and Town Hall.
It was stated by Evan Aird, CNHRPC that the Town should hear from the Grant that was applied for by late March.
For the Scavenger Hunt, on November 14, 2009, Cheryl Behr suggested that a synopsis of the History with the picture of each of the listed stops be printed and handed out. It was unanimously thought to be a great idea, and will be pursued. There will prizes, speakers, music and refreshments.
The event will be advertised in the Intertown Record, Concord Monitor and has already been in the Bridge. Evan Aird, CNHRPC will make up another banner. It will be announced in school.
Some upcoming events listed for spring include: Bike Rally, French’s Park, Fishing Derby in April, 3 mile walk in June. Audrey Sylvester suggested a bike parade.
A sound system will be provided by Andrew Pinard for the Nov. 14, 2009 event, which will be held from 11:00am to 2:00pm.
Jim Valiquet, Police Chief questioned the route of travel for the scavenger hunt patrons as having to cross Route 103 several times. There will be coverage for the crossing, and it was thought this will also be helping the children be more aware of crossing highways.
Jim Valiquet is working on the Bike Rally in the spring and will co-ordinate with Mr. Spadaro, Kearsarge Elementary School.
NEXT MEETING IS SCHEDULED FOR THURSDAY NOV. 19, 2009 AT 3:30 PM
Adjourned 4:15pm
Respectfully submitted
Marjorie R. Cilley, Secretary
Safe Routes to Schools Committee Minutes 10.01.09
October 5, 2009
TOWN OF BRADFORD
SAFE WALK TO SCHOOL
OCTOBER 1, 2009
3:30PM
Andrew Pinard, Interim Chair, opened the Safe Walk to School meeting at 3:00pm. with the following in attendance: Kate Dobrowski, Community Center, Dawn Rich, Nik Coates, CNHRPC, Shanna Braden, Audrey Sylvester, Friends of the Brown Memorial Library, Evan from CNHRPC, Christine Waite, Chips, Cheryl Behr, Town of Bradford, Debbie Flinkstrom, Parks and Rec., Beth Rodd, Community Member.
September 17, 2009 Minutes:
Andrew Pinard advised the last minutes that were taken, on September 17, 2009 have been posted on the web site with the edit of Nik Cotes name which is: Coates.
Andrew Pinard also thanked Nik Coates for coordinating the information which is being turned over to him today.
The checklist for today includes:
Letters for support from community members due.
Letters received include the Community Center, State Senate, Mr. Janeway, and Representative, Beth Rodd, and Barbara French. Nik Coates advised there have been enough letters received, waiting for others, could delay the process. Nik Coates will collect the letters today and run them thru the PDF copier with the application and have it for completion by Monday.
Nik Coates advised the application is complete and should move forward.
Christine Waite advised there will be a Chips special meeting set up soon.
Nik Coates advised that realistically a meeting would encompass about one half hour. This could take place at Community Night. This should be well advertised with a press release, volunteer fliers, advertising for Community night. Samples of what another town is doing was passed out for perusal. A guide for Community Night for consideration was passed around. Andrew Pinard advised he will contact school administration and cross promote this to the school and keep Mr. Spadaro up to date with what is going on.
Andrew Pinard added that Cheryl Behr and Nik Coates have put a lot of work into preparing the initial grant, and if any new members have questions or input to feel free to speak up.
Recruiting a task force for different areas of this endeavor to include:
1. Promotional, which Andrew advised he will do something on the Web Site.
2. Media and Grass Roots aspect.
3. Planning a walking event for the fall. Now that the asphalt has been cleared off from West Main Street and the repair of some sections of it and showing the difference left on East Main Street can be seen better, and will show the limitations of what is being worked on. Hopefully this will get more people with children out and walk downtown and see what the conditions are and understand that there is a need to improve certain areas. Suggestion for locations to make stops at and where to cross the street could be outlined. The highlights of the route should include the Town Hall, Community Center, Library, Church and Fire Dept. with a stop at each where refreshments of cider etc. would be made available.
Andrew Pinard advised it is not just an issue of sidewalks, there is also lighting issues involved. There is a map showing a potential area for the sidewalk to go. Nik Coates suggested getting information out to parents during Halloween. Dawn Rich volunteered to give handouts at that time. A scavenger hunt was suggested and perhaps could include the Boy Scouts.
1. Nominate someone to talk with the Selectmen to see if it would be feasible to close the road for a certain time frame on Halloween. The time frame is usually from 4:00pm to 6pm for the small children and 6:00pm to 8:00pm for the older children. Cheryl Behr will talk with the Police Dept. concerning this.
2. A scavenger hunt should be planned very soon as it is getting colder and this should include both parents and children. There could be speakers, such as Fire Chief, someone from the Safe Routes to School, as well as the Police Chief, for 5 minutes each. A banner could be at the beginning of the route and also a table with information and fliers about Safe Routes to School. This is a suggestion, however, something different could be set up. Shanna Braden and Kate Dobrowski will work together on this. Dawn Rich questioned if October 12th might be a good time with there being no school on that day.
Jim Valiquet, Police Chief suggested poling the Selectmen as to the closing off of Main Street during the Halloween hours for safety.
November14, 2009 is the date set for the scavenger hunt during the day from 10:00pm to 2:00pm with historical facts regarding the town of Bradford as their guide to go on to the next step in the hunt. Their prizes will be picked up at the event to be held at the Community Center at 3:00pm., where there will be a speaker. Several possibilities of speakers were suggested and will be approached. This will be coordinated through e-mails.
Distribution of surveys was discussed to coordinate with the Web Site, as well as giving the information to Mr. Spadaro to take the lead in the schools and to coordinate with the teachers, hopefully by making it a homework assignment and offering rewards. Paper copies of the survey could be put in the Community Center and Library as well as other local spots. It was suggested that survey’s could be dropped off at a specified places to be named at a later time.
A dead line for the survey’s to be completed will be tentatively set for November 24, 2009.
THE NEXT MEETING IS SCHEDULED FOR THURSDAY NOVEMBER 5, 2009, AT 3:30 AT THE TOWN HALL
Nik Coates advised that once events are planned and everything is in place, they will need to transition into looking at completing the tasks that are built into the application. Specific items needing to be addressed are: Creating the maps which will come out of the surveys. An other survey that needs to be done will come out of Field Work from CHRPC who will work with the committee. Some walking will be done in the spring. A bike rodeo will be in the plans among other activities as well as setting up an assembly at school to talk with parents about speeding and safe driving around school zones.
Everyone will be receiving e-mails from Nik Coates with up-dates.
Adjourned at 4:00pm
Respectfully submitted
Marjorie R. Cilley
Secretary
