Transportation Committee (TC) Minutes of 7-11-24

Next meeting: 8:30 am, Thursday, August 8; HHI Conference Room

Present: Mary Day Mordecai (chair), Russ Cobb, Erin Hammerstedt, Earl Horn, Ned Hulbert, Roxanne Karter, Steve LaMears (Police Chief), Kate Neary, Don Scott.  Absent: Kully Mindeman

  • Update on Hancock Road around Lake Skatutakee
  • Signage and road striping: Thank you note was sent from TC to Road Crew for getting it done pre-Memorial Day.
  • Communication/education: Article about updates to Hancock Road was printed in Common Threads and the same basic report was in Skatutakee Lake Associatione newsletter (coordinated with Christine DesTrempes, association member).A card on road safety guidelines will be developed and distributed to lakeside residents, especially those who rent their places to out of towners.
  • Reactions from residents: We have heard many positive reactions from lakeside residents, who appreciate the signs, the marking of the boat ramp and the road striping. They note that they feel drivers have slowed down as a result of the work.
  • Roadside brush clearing
    • Town roads: Police Chief reported that Wes Tarr has found clearing equipment and will clear brush from Hancock Rd. around Skatutakee as first priority (no confirmed date yet). The committee recommended a follow-up with the Select Board to ask if more immediate hand-pruning of brush is possible.
    • State roads: According to Police Chief, this clearing will be done in next few weeks (we have 3 state barns that work on Harrisville state roads so clearing may be done at different times).
  • Boat ramp issue in village
    • Problem: Some people are making wrong turn when trying to reach the boat ramp on Harrisville Pond; they end up having to turn around at the cemetery.
    • Potential solution: TC to propose that a new Boat Ramp sign with an arrow pointing straight ahead be put up at Prospect Street.
  • Other signage in town
  • Several signs are faded or missing (#4 Hill Road) – TC will recommend replacements. Please text Mary Day and she will collect list to submit. Earl will get a cost estimate for the new signs.
  • Working relationships with Planning Board and Select Board
  • We discussed the TC proposal regarding reporting relationship to the Select Board (SB) that was approved by the SB in May.
  • TC members may want to attend the PB and SB joint meeting on August 14 to discuss the matter.
  • MAST Complete Streets Grant potential (deadline Sept 26 submission)
  • SWRPC last year encouraged TC to consider a research grant to bring in an engineer to help us look at how to implement Complete Streets projects.
  • On July 15 and July 25 SWRPC will offer a training on how to apply/background for MAST grant.
  • Other business:
  • Discussion of a potential new member of the committee.
  • TC to request Skatutakee Lake Association give feedback on effectiveness of Hancock Rd changes at the end of the summer season.
  • Don shared Culvert Inventory and Assessment Project Map and process for Town.
  • Schedule next meeting (8:30 am, Thursday, August 8)