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Board of Selectmen Meeting Minutes

Any and all corrections to the following minutes will be made at the 12/20/01 Board of Selectmen's Meeting and are considered unapproved until then. Corrections will be noted in the minutes of that meeting.

SPECIAL MEETING OF THE BOARD OF SELECTMEN
DECEMBER 6th, 2001
RIVER ROAD (TH#15)/RADWAY HILL ROAD (TH#4) INTERSECTION

PRESENT:
Selectmen: Mike Rohan, Jesse Anderson, Fred Bacon, and Richard Marek. Absent: Lynn Bedell
Also Present: William A. Noyes, District #2 Technician; Chris Ballou, Nelson Fontaine and M. Courtney Nau, Brookline Selectmen; Nicholas Mercede, Attorney Timothy J. O'Connor, Jr., Matthew Beck, Engineer, Michael Fitzpatrick of Fitzpatrick Excavating, Craig Stone, Dick Dowley, Tom Hersh, Adelle Hersh, James Gray, Newfane Road Foreman and Doris Knechtel, Newfane Administrative Assistant.

1. CALL TO ORDER
The Special Meeting was called to order at 3:04 p.m. by Chairman Mike Rohan.

2. PROPOSAL FOR UPGRADE OF RIVER ROAD (TH#15)/RADWAY HILL ROAD (TH#4) INTERSECTION
Chairman M. Rohan explained that the proposal for the change in the existing dangerous intersection has been discussed by the Board off and on for five or six years. Hearings for the relocation of the intersection were held in early 1997. Dauchy Associates prepared the original plans for the intersection. The project was put on hold as the District #2 Act 250 commission determined that the project should come under ACT 250 review as involved lands of N. Mercede.

Matthew Beck explained two options that he has proposed. Option one meets the sight distance requirements for the speed limit (35 mph) of the highway, but requires that a substantial amount of trees be removed from the Hersh property to meet the sight distance requirements. Wm. Noyes has met with M. Beck and T. & A. Hersh to discuss the plans. T. & A. Hersh do not want the trees to be removed as the trees provide a buffer from the traffic noise. N. Mercede is also not in favor of the removal of the number of trees to meet the sight distance requirement. Option two proposes that there be a T-intersection, much like one in South Londonderry on Route 100, where those on the main route have to make a sharp left or right, depending on the direction they are traveling. This could present a problem for the through traffic coming from the Brookline as they may have to stop on an uphill grade to either turn onto River Road (TH#15) or wait for turning traffic. In So. Londonderry, the area is flat, and is still not an ideal situation.

Questions were raised about using another type of vegetation, a tall narrow planting that would create a buffer and not be a bushy as the current hemlock trees, that have not been trimmed recently and are quite full.

Questions were also raised about improving the existing intersection to make it less dangerous. The reasons for the proposed change is to improve the current intersection where there have been accidents and "reported near misses". There are large vehicles using the road to being camper trailers to Kenolie Campground and to bring horse trailers and deliveries to Winchester Stables. It was suggested that "shaving the River Road (TH#15) corner" would help. This solution did not seem to improve the situation to any extent.

The question was also raised about exceptions to the highway standards for pre-existing situations. Wm. Noyes indicated that the sight distance standards must be met.

Another suggestion was made to move the intersection further in a westerly direction to obtain better sight distance without the need to remove as much vegetation on the Hersh property. This proposal would mean cutting back into the existing slope of the Mercede property. M. Beck will work on this new proposal. When the proposal has been drafted, it will be circulated to all of the interested parties present at this meeting. There will be another meeting to review the new proposal, at which time it is anticipated that a decision will be made regarding improvements or a change to this intersection.

3. ADJOURNMENT
Motion was made by R. Marek and seconded by J. Anderson to adjourn the Special Meeting at 4:12 p.m. Unanimous.

Doris A. Knechtel
Administrative Assistant
Newfane Board of Selectmen

Posted:
Newfane Town Office, Newfane Store, Lessing's Family General Store and South Newfane General Store & Deli. www.newfanevt.com

 


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