Transportation Committee (TC) Minutes of 9-5-24

Next meeting: Thursday, October 3, 830 am, HHI Conference Room

Present: Mary Day Mordecai (chair), Russ Cobb, Earl Horn, Ned Hulbert, Roxanne Karter, Steve LaMears (Police Chief), Kully Mindemann, Don Scott, Ryan Whitford  Absent: Kate Neary

  • Hancock Road improvements along Lake Skatutakee:
    1. Final follow-up: Mary Day will work with the Lake Association to develop a survey of members about changes that were made this summer.
  • Boat Ramp Sign in the village – Mary Day and Steve will finalize location of sign that will ensure that visitors can find the boat ramp; Mary Day will ask a town employee to order the sign.
  • School speed radars: Speed radars are working well but it would be best if we could have another 30 mph speed limit sign installed on Chesham Road near the South Road intersection so that drivers are aware of the appropriate speed when they approach the speed radar from that direction. Mary Day will follow up with Robert Hyslop of the DOT on this request.
  • Research item: Is there a town-wide speed limit? Steve has a copy of the Town Ordinances, which he will scan and send to committee members as this information could be valuable for other discussions.
  • Radar Updates for SB and PB: TC has previously stated that it would share data with SB and PB twice a year on traffic volumes and speeds.  This is not happening now because of the time required to download the data.  Earl agreed to coach Russ and Ryan on how to collect the data.  The committee agreed that, at a minimum, we need to be aware of summer (high) and winter (low) traffic volumes.  This could become part of TC’s section of Town Annual Report.
  • Update on SB, PB and TC common meeting last month to discuss reporting relationship: Mary Day summarized the meeting. The result: TC now reports to the SB except on issues that are under the specific authority of the PB.
  • TC Job Description: Mary Day and Earl will work on providing a detailed draft description of the committee’s work. Once this is agreed upon by the committee, we will share it with the Select Board.
  • Letter from resident concerning need for a mirror on Main Street at General Store. This letter was referred to the TC by the Select Board.  The resident felt that a mirror would help those turning onto Main Street from the store to better see approaching traffic.  The committee agreed to research the issue. Initially, Russ will contact Erin Hammerstedt who may have researched similar issues in the past.  We will also follow up with the NHDOT to find out what their policy is about mirrors on state roads since this is a state road.
  • More brush cutting is needed on Route 137 since the speed radar located near Hancock Road is not fully visible. Mary Day will contact the Harris Center about getting the cutting done.
  • Preliminary discussion of traffic flow and safety at the recently redesigned recycling center.
    1. Committee members shared their observations and suggestions.
    2. Kully will write up a draft summary draft of TC preliminary recommendations and email it to TC members before next TC meeting. We will discuss the issue further at the next meeting.
  • There will be a Transportation Advisory Committee meeting of SWRPC, Monday, Sept 9, 2 pm, at SWRPC Keene offices. The meeting will include a presentation on long-term transportation issues.  Committee members were invited to attend.
  • Mary Day commits to getting TC Minutes out to TC members for comment within 5 days of meetings.
  • The committee discussed the process it might use to determine its next set of long-term goals.
  1. TC first needs to agree upon what it thinks the long-term goals and projects could be. We would then need to get reactions from residents to these ideas, while at the same time, allowing residents to make additional suggestions.
  2. The first step could be to solicit input from other town boards and department heads. This input could be given in writing to us and we would follow up with direct conversation when warranted.
  3. The TC will consider creating a public survey to be shared on line or by mailing cards to residents.
  4. Ryan will draft memo on the TC’s recommended process for determining its long-term goals. This will be discussed at the next meeting of the TC.
  • Steve recommended that committee members view WMUR Chronical program focused on Vermont/NH northern rail trail information.
  • Preliminary discussion of how increasing the attractiveness and accessibility of a town also increases traffic and put additional pressure on infrastructure.
  1. Is this already happening in Harrisville? What are the causes?  Is it likely to continue?
  2. Where is the balance? This is the key question. How should this question influence the work of the TC?