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ENFIELD TOWN COUNCIL
MINUTES OF A SPECIAL MEETING
JUNE 4, 2001
A Special Meeting of the Enfield Town Council was called to order by Chairwoman Strom in the Enfield Room of the Enfield Town Hall, 820 Enfield Street, Enfield, Connecticut on Monday, June 4, 2001 at 6:00 p.m.
ROLL-CALL Present were Councilmen Dodd, Falk, Fiore, Giddings, Hall, Mangini, Strom, and Vayda. Councilmen Egan entered at 6:12 p.m., Councilman Kaupin entered at 6:10 p.m., Councilman McGuire entered at 6:34 p.m. Also present were Town Manager, Scott A. Shanley; Assistant Town Manager, Daniel Vindigni; Town Clerk, Suzanne F. Olechnicki; Senior Assistant Town Attorney, Maria Stavropoulos; Director of Public Works, John Kazmarski; Director of Community Development, Laura Watson.
DISCUSSION RE: STREETSCAPE/NORTHGATE/HAZARDVILLE
Present from Milone & MacBroom were Vince McDermott, Tom Sheal and Mark Poppa.
Mr. Shanley stated Milone & MacBroom is approximately 30% through the design phase at this point and this is an opportunity to provide more input or have questions answered.
Mr. Kazmarski pointed out a number of State permits will be needed at some point in time.
Mr. McDermott stated they will first review the Hazardville Streetscape.
Illustrations were on display and Mr. Sheal highlighted the area under discussion. He noted in the Hazardville section on Route 190, theres approximately 8,800 feet of new sidewalk. He noted they aimed at a continuity theme for a sidewalk throughout this area. He stated new pedestrian-oriented lighting is also proposed as well as the incorporation of a small number of on-street parking spaces. He added theyre also proposing new tree plantings along the streetscape.
Mr. Sheal then gave more detail regarding the design of the sidewalks and the proposal to continue sidewalks through the driveways. He noted theyve proposed approximately 100 street lights from Park Street to Southview Street. He pointed out those areas where on-street parking is planned and the types of trees proposed.
Mr. McDermott pointed out DOT will be doing a project further to the west, and this will dovetail in, and hopefully DOT will pick up some of the guidelines that are being proposed.
Mr. Sheal then presented a rendering of the Northgate Streetscape. He spoke about the area between Bright Meadow Boulevard and the Massachusetts state line. He pointed out this is a more complicated project than the Hazardville Streetscape.
He explained at Longmeadow Cars, theres parking in front of the existing access way. He noted they have followed the concept of keeping this as a narrower access and having it as “one way” in.
Mr. Sheal stated the State Line Package Store is a difficult little area. He noted they do have a tremendous area of parking in relation to the size of the store. He stated the concept plan called for some angle parking with the idea there would be a loop in and a loop out so that the cars would have the ability to park in the back. He noted this requires an island because theres very limited space between the business property and the highway, and they have to avoid some of the power posts in the area.
He then used the illustration to review other businesses along the route and explained how they would propose addressing those areas.
Mr. Sheal distributed a “Preliminary Budget Estimate of Probable Cost of Construction for the Hazardville and Northgate Streetscape. He briefly reviewed the costs for the projects.
Councilman Falk stated his understanding the town was moving away from constructing sidewalks through driveways. Mr. Sheal agreed there are cost savings by not constructing sidewalks through driveways, however, they were aiming for design continuity. He stated there would be a cost savings of about $60,000 if they did not construct sidewalks through driveways.
Mr. McDermott stated from a designers perspective, they would really like to maintain a continuity and breakups by driveways break up the sidewalk appearance. He noted there is also the issue of maintaining these walkways and the cost difference. He pointed out this is the Councils decision.
Councilman Falk voiced concern about replacing the chain link fence with a wooden rail at the park in Hazardville. He stated his belief the chain link fence was erected to stop children from running into the street, or from balls being kicked into the street. He noted hed be hesitant about changing that concept.
As concerns the trees, Councilman Falk agreed maple trees are nice, however, he would not want to see pine trees planted since they can create a hiding place.
Referring to Northgate, Councilman Falk voiced concern about narrowed entryways. He pointed out some of these businesses have big trucks making deliveries. Mr. Sheal stated its nice to have a 20 curb cut, however, where trucks need to access, they will need a wider entrance.
Councilman Falk raised the issue of sidewalks on private property. Mr. McDermott stated that is an issue that they need direction on from the Council.
Councilman Kaupin referred to the Hazardville Streetscape and noted it was his recollection from the Committee discussions that they had requested the pavers extend a certain amount of feet to the driveways. Mr. Sheal noted they could do that, and it would help from a design-continuity point of view.
Councilman Kaupin questioned the lighting spacing. Mr. Sheal stated the pedestrian lighting sets an ambiance for the area. He noted the road lighting is different and those consist of big overhead lights.
Councilman Kaupin stated his impression they were trying to create more on-street parking for merchants.
Councilman Kaupin questioned whether they will run into any problems in the future with CL&P cutting their shade trees. He stated his impression the ornamental trees would be “power line friendly”. Mr. McDermott stated they need to be sensitive to the placement of shade trees.
Councilman Kaupin stated there was some discussion about closing off access to Southview Street. Mr. Kazmarski stated they received a petition signed by 85-95% of residents on Southview Street. He explained originally DOT had that street cul-de-sacd, but there were some concerns by the wire safety people that theyd be unable to gain access to Southview Street. He noted they came up with the concept to cul-de-sac this street and put a grass paver connection to Route 190 in that location. He stated he talked with the Town Engineer today and theyre scheduling within the next week to meet with DOT, the fire marshal and the local traffic authority to discuss the issue about getting this placed back into the project. He noted they will have time to add this to the project since DOT slowed down the progress on that particular intersection project and the sister project at Palomba/Middle and Route 190 because of some funding constraints. He noted they dont expect signing a contract with the contractor until mid-August.
Councilman Giddings referred to the Northgate project and questioned if there will be on-street parking in front of the liquor store and will that parking be far enough off the street so that cars backing out of those spaces arent backing into the line of traffic. Mr. Sheal responded yes.
Councilman Hall pointed out CL&P will be providing trees for the Hazardville Streetscape, however, she does not believe CL&P will be providing a lot of shade trees because of the power lines.
Councilman Hall questioned the length of the actual pavers. She noted she would like to see the pavers extend entirely from the realignment of Elm and Route 190.
Councilman Hall questioned when in the design process will they include the benches, planters, and ornamental street signs. Mr. Sheal stated those items should be included in the plan this month.
Councilman Hall questioned whether its being proposed the Town patios the whole area at the intersection of North Maple and South Maple, particularly in the area of South Maple (Tonys building and a little bit of the hotel). Mr. Sheal responded yes. Councilman Hall stated originally they talked about approaching the owners of the property for cost sharing. Mr. Sheal stated theyre looking for direction in this area.
Councilman Fiore referred to the Northgate project and questioned whether there was any contact with the businesses in that area. Mr. Sheal responded yes. He noted they did have some trouble surveying on the Connecticut Valley Autos property. Councilman Fiore questioned if there was any concern about parking. Mr. Sheal stated Connecticut Valley Auto did erect a metal beam rail down Carl Street as a safety barrier.
Councilman Fiore stated this plan shows some removal of parking in front of Rinaldis. Mr. Sheal clarified that removal is on the state line.
Councilman Fiore questioned if they considered dead-ending one or two streets, and Mr. Sheal stated they did not look at that.
Councilman Fiore referred to the note at the bottom of the cost sheet and read: “Construction of on-street parking space, underground conduit for site lighting, new site lighting, new street trees and streetscape amenities (benches, trash receptacles) are not included in this preliminary budget.”
Mr. Kazmarski stated if there was a decision to dead-end streets, that could be done, however, the Council should bear in mind they would not recommend doing so without the creation of a full size cul-de-sac to allow for the turning of snow plow trucks and emergency vehicles. He noted that probably would mean the acquisition of some private properties.
Councilman Vayda questioned whether there would be an entry point to the park in Hazardville from Route 190, or would the entry point be on a side street. Mr. Sheal stated his impression the access will remain the same.
Councilman Dodd questioned the capacity of the snow shelf for these projects. Mr. Sheal stated his belief the snow shelf is going to be similar to what exists now.
Councilman Dodd questioned how they would plow in the area of the businesses. Mr. Sheal stated his belief the businesses are probably plowed by a private arrangement.
Councilman Dodd stated when the State was doing sidewalks on Route 5, he questioned the fact that they were not putting a sidewalk through the driveways and was told by DOT that this was a new regulation. He pointed out this might not be something the Council has to consider at this point. Mr. McDermott stated hes unaware of any DOT policy that would preclude a town from doing this as part of a town project. He added DOT may have their own internal policy of not doing this.
Councilman Dodd questioned what is the radius being proposed into the driveways. Mr. Sheal stated theres a whole series of modifications and it depends on how much space is available. He noted everything is very customized.
Councilman Dodd questioned the use of angle parking. Mr. Sheal stated the only place theyre proposing angle parking is at State Line Liquor.
Referring to the cost sheet and column entitled, “Quantity/Unit Cost”, Councilman Mangini requested clarification of “allowance” and how they arrived at a cost for that allowance. Mr. Sheal stated they wont initially know the cost for these items, therefore, they provide an estimate. He added they feel its wise to provide for some amount of an allowance given the length of the Hazardville Streetscape.
Councilman Mangini questioned the cost for power pole removals at the Northgate Streetscape. Mr. Sheal stated they are not anticipating power pole removals at Northgate, however, they wanted to make a provision should there be a need for some utility relocations.
Referring to the proposal to run sidewalks through driveways, Councilman Mangini pointed out there are several churches and businesses in the Hazardville section and she questioned if those establishments have been approached regarding this proposal. Mr. Sheal responded no.
Chairwoman Strom stated the Council is now running 15 minutes late for a Public Hearing. She questioned if the Council would consider adding this item to the Regular Meeting agenda prior to going into Old Business so they can finish this discussion.
ADJOURNMENT
MOTION #5301 by Councilman Egan, seconded by Councilman Dodd to adjourn.
Upon a SHOW-OF-HANDS vote being taken, the Chair declared MOTION #5301 adopted 11-0-0, and the meeting stood adjourned at 7:30 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Jeannette Lamontagne
Secretary to the Council
Suzanne F. Olechnicki
Town Clerk
Clerk of the Council
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