05/24/2021 BOARD OF SELECTMEN Minutes

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3 Board of Selectmen Minutes May 24, 2021 APPOINTMENTS & HEARINGS Public Hearing: Road Taking — Chestnut Street, Cedar Street, Devon Street, Ash Street, Hawthorne Street, Gina's Way. The Board of Selectmen opened the Public Hearing to discuss the private to public road conversion of Chestnut Street, Cedar Street,Devon Street(partial), Ash Street(partial),Hawthorne Street(partial) and Gina's Way as shown on plans prepared by Cape & Islands Engineering dated January 28, 2021. Copies of the plan are available in the Office of the Town Manager/Board of Selectmen. In accordance with posting procedures, the Hearing notice was read aloud into the record. Catherine Laurent, Director of Public Works was present to discuss the private to public road conversion of the referenced streets. The estimated betterment cost is $311,010, a cost of$20,734 to be borne by the (15)property owners. If residents plan to move forward with the road conversion a second petition signed by at least 50% plus I of the affected property owners must be received by July 12, 2021 in order to be placed on the October Town Meeting warrant or by February 14, 2022 to be placed on the May Town Meeting warrant. It was noted this road taking was petitioned by at least 50% plus I of the affected property owners. Mark Harding a resident of Devon Street noted the numbers on the plans are not clear. In reviewing the easements', it appears he may lose most of his front yard. For clarification the Director of Public Works indicated the right of way was included in the layout when the neighborhood was developed. It is the purview of the Town to take the entire width of the easement when accepting a road conversion. If the road taking is accepted by the residents, the Town at this time does not intend to take the entire 40' width,but it would provide for use in the future is it is so required. Ms. Laurent indicated there was a question from a resident of Gina's Way regarding the taking of the road. The road itself extends as a paper street to Quinaquisset Avenue. The petitioners would be required to be in agreement to include this portion of the road. Some paving would be required although it is not significant to the road taking project. There was also a question related to the road conversion as it relates to the potential for sewering. It was disclosed the road taking project is not included in Phase I of the clean water/wastewater plan. The subject roadway is likely to be included in Phase 11 projections, If the project is delayed for 4-6 years it would offset the construction estimate. This is a decision of the neighborhood. Neil Barney of 4 Ash Street asked why the Town would propose to widen Devon Street to 40' and only 30' on Ash Street when an easement is required to be 20', Ms. Laurent responded by stating the Town would be taking the existing right of way which extends beyond 20' to accommodate drainage and other requirements. This is the easement that is required by the Town. The actual road surface would be 22'. Mr. Barney noted that one tenth of his property would be appropriated by the Town with the taking. Road taking project estimates are generally high. The project shall not exceed the estimate. If the project results in a higher cost,the Town assumes the difference. There are no street lights included in this project assumption.