MINUTES - SPECIAL MEETING - BOARD OF SELECTMEN
May 27th, 2004
WILLIAMSVILLE HALL
PRESENT:
Selectmen: Piet van Loon, Carleton Chaffee, Priscilla Cotton, Gary Katz,
and Chris Williams.
Also Present: Roger Whitcomb and Tom Lackey of VTrans, Carolyn Lorie of
Brattleboro Reformer, David Cotton, Myra Fassler, Eleanor Applegate, Sheila
Riccardo, Jean Riccardo, Janet Wallstein, Tana Lilienthal, Peter Lilienthal,
India Lawrence, Fred Lawrence, Wayne Crochent (?), Lynn Bedell, Targ Spicer,
John Spicer, Chuck Boardman, Paul Kaemmerlein, Fred Homer, Hermine Bergmann,
Charles 'Bud' Bergmann, Carol Ross, Chris Triebert, Paul Dedell, Susan
Dedell, Ed Druke, Steve Jones, Stephen Brown, Diane Brown, Nancy Riege,
Nissa Petrak, Chris Petrak, Dan Fuller, Walter Fogg, David Clarkson, Norma
Shakun, Mel Shakun, Dot Van Kirk, George Moser, Jeryl Julian, and Doris
Knechtel as Administrative Assistant.
1. CALL TO ORDER
The meeting was called to order by Chairman Piet van Loon at 7:08 p.m.
2. ROGER WHITCOMB - VTRANS - DISCUSSION AND REVIEW OF BRIDGE #14 PLANS
- BRIDGE BY SOUTH NEWFANE STORE
Chairman P. van Loon gave a brief history of Bridge #14 and the decisions
that have been made by the town. It was first agreed by the town to rehabilitate
the bridge until it was discovered that the existing pier is susceptible
to scouring. After talking with the state, it was decided to replace the
bridge. The proposed plan for the new bridge was brought to the affected
landowners by P. van Loon and G. Katz for them to review and ask questions.
At this point, VTrans Project Manager, Roger Whitcomb and Engineer, Tom
Lackey were introduced to explain the elements of the project. From the
original plans of 1945 it appeared that the pier was on ledge (Bridge
built in 1946). Further review found that the pier is on hard pan and
is scour susceptible. The collapse of an interstate bridge over Schoharie
Creek in NY due to scouring caused a movement to identify all potential
scour problems in the country.
The cost to the town for rehabilitation is 5% of the total cost and for
a new bridge is 10% of the total cost. A new bridge will not have a center
pier. The Agency of Natural Resources would prefer an open steam with
a single span. The alignment of the new bridge will be change the intersection
to be somewhat further away from the store, making it safer for patron
and delivery vehicles entering and leaving the store. The design curve
on the Lilienthal side will be will be sharpened to a 8 mph rather than
the current 18 mph design. The turn from Dover Road (TH#2) onto Auger
Hole Road (TH#3) will be easier for the larger vehicles. R. Whitcomb assured
that the stop sign on the store side of Dover Road (TH#2) will still be
there. It was rumored that the stop sign was to be removed. The new bridge
is only 14" wider, 7" per side which will allow for 3' shoulders
on each side. A temporary bridge is proposed on the Lawrence/Lilienthal
side of the bridge. There will be a taking of some trees. The state will
meet with the affected property owners about planting of new trees and
any taking of land that may be necessary. If the process moves along as
planned, work on the bridge will be during the 2007 construction season.
2. ROGER WHITCOMB - VTRANS - DISCUSSION AND REVIEW OF BRIDGE #14 PLANS
- BRIDGE BY SOUTH NEWFANE STORE - (cont.)
Members of the public brought up a variety of ideas of how they feel that
the bridge could be repaired or replaced. Some of the ideas included:
building a covered bridge; rehabilitating the current bridge and putting
some support around the center pier; having a one-lane bridge; having
a raised sidewalk; putting on an external sidewalk; and doing the project
without using a temporary bridge. Members of the public also suggested
a committee to work with the town and the state to come up with a new
design to maintain the character of the village setting as much as possible.
R. Whitcomb indicated that the design needs to meet state standards or
the town would risk losing federal funds, which is 80% of the funding.
He also cautioned that additions for 'gateway' enhancement to the bridge
could substantially raise the cost of the project. R. Whitcomb will look
into doing additional test borings to check on the scouring. Concerns
were expressed about traffic being faster with a straighter bridge. Photos
were provided by one of the residents. The current 'curve' in the bridge
is only slight and not that noticeable.
G. Katz spoke of the role of the Selectboard who represent all points
of view on issues that come before them, taking all factors into account,
not just opinions. Of utmost importance to the Board is the safety improvements
involved with some aspects of the building of a new bridge. The Board
will review the issues discussed this evening at their meeting of June
3rd. If any members of the public have specific ideas they should bring
them to the Board at that time.
3. TO TRANSACT ANY OTHER BUSINESS THAT MAY LEGALLY COME BEFORE THE MEETING
P. van Loon spoke with a member of the Dummerston Selectboard and they
have invited the Newfane Selectboard to meet with them in Dummerston on
Wednesday, June 9th at 7:00 p.m. at the Dummerston Town Office. Attendance
by Board members is not mandatory.
4. ADJOURNMENT
Motion was made by P. Cotton and seconded by G. Katz to adjourn the Special
Meeting of the Board at 9:05 p.m. Unanimous.
