06/24/2024 SELECT BOARD Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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*REVISED DRAFT* SELECT BOARD MINUTES JUNE 24, 2024 10 Select Board Minutes June 24, 2024 APPOINTMENTS& HEARINGS CONVENE JOINT MEETING WITH THE AFFORDABLE HOUSING TRUST Presentation....._ ..... __.,.�......... w .M.M. 1 sMggV._mVanasse....& A soc ate (continued)DiDiscussion of Old Barnstable Road Transportation Imp act Asses mm Artie Schneider,manager of the condominium association was noted to have a conflict and was unable to attend the meeting. On his behalf there was comment regarding the traffic study. Reasons disclosed include the diminished quality of life, increased traffic,trucks,the speeding of vehicles, accidents, and the risk of children and residents walking on the road. At present the road conditions are unsafe. It was also stated the association received notification of the meeting only two days prior to the Affordable Housing Trust meeting. Area resident Jay Hill indicated that 104 residents participated in the survey. 86% of the residents conveyed concern with respect to traffic and traffic safety. The study does not represent those living in the area, and the facts do not add up to the actual speeds. This is a busy road. What will the Select Board do with issues on clean water and common-sense safety issues. Marvin Karp stated that currently he cannot keep his windows open. There is a lot of noise from commercial traffic. It is like a parkway that worsens every year. Mr. Karp noted that it is often difficult to make a left-hand turn. There are no sidewalks or crosswalks. There is no place for an ambulance or fire truck to bypass and there are a lot of mature people residing in this area who are suffering. John Pitts cited deep concern for the safety of children. What is the number of children who would live at the affordable housing project and how far would they be from the roadway. Mr. Pitts stated this is a recipe for disaster. This is a highly used commercial roadway that is dangerous. It is felt the proposed onsite sewage treatment facility would offer little room for the children to play outdoors. It was noted the Select Board is listening and would take all comments into consideration. Don Allen and Mike Perkins indicated that road safety was the number one issue of the residents who responded to the survey. Since the property was transferred to the Affordable Housing Trust in 2017, 350 homes have been constructed in this area. With the Route 151 corridor project the Town has diverted traffic through Lowell Road and Old Barnstable Road. This is now a bypass corridor. It is not a residential roadway,it is a commercial roadway, and currently, the roads are unsafe for residents and school children. To add 24 more units is irresponsible and it would significantly impact the residents. Most cars and commercial trucks are driving at 40 mph. Road safety,water quality and the proximity to the headwaters of the Quashnet River were questioned. It was stated that it's just a matter of time before something bad is going to happen.