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