HomeMy WebLinkAbout07/28/1997
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Southold Transportation Committee
Southold Town Hall
July 28, 1997 8 AM
Present: Neboysha Brashich, Glynis Berry, Bob Brown, Margaret Brown, Victor Brown, Frank Field. Bernie
Jacobsen, Valerie Scopaz, Melissa Spiro
Southold Town Police Chief Conway was invited to our meeting to discuss traffic safety in general and bicycle
safety in particular. He pointed out that bicycles may ride two abreast if they do not cause traffic problems.
However, they must ride on the shoulder and as far right as possible. They must obey aU the rules of the road
applicable to automobiles. Neb asked him about writing a column in the local newspaper addressing safety issues.
He was non-committal about its value. He said that traffic rules pertaining to bicycles are available in code form
but are probably more accessible in simplified form from one of several bicycle clubs, the Bike Stop and
CycleTime, as well as AM. Neb said that migrant workers often ride at night wearing dark clothing and
therefore pose a risk. Chief Conway replied that while this is true, they are very careful to stay to the right.
Margaret suggested that we look into giving them reflective strips for their bicycles and/or clothing.
Scenic Bvwavs: Neb, Valerie, Steve Ridler, Laury Dowd (Town Attorney), and Supervisor Jean Cochran had a
three hour meeting with Fernandino representatives, the finn that successfully bid on the project. Mr. Earnest
Hutton will probably be the team leader. Valerie, Neb and Steve had drawn up a tentative contract which was fine
but during the ensuing discussion some changes were suggested. They will start in August. There should be
some figures on traffic volume by then.
LIRR Bicvcle Policv: Neb, Valerie and Margaret went to a hearing held by the Long Island Railroad in
Hauppague on July 14 regarding changes they plan to make in their bicycle policy. Their intention is to make it
somewhat easier to take bicycles on the trains. They will still allow only 4 bikes per train on weekdays and 8
bikes per train on weekends, but they do plan to have some weekend trains taking 40 bikes both Saturday and
Sunday. They also plan to coordinate their policy with Metro North so that the rules will be the same. Some
changes have been made in scheduling which trains will accommodate hicycles. At present, it is not possible to
make reservations for bicycle space on the train and the final decision as to whether a bicycle is allowed on is left
to the conductor. Also, there is no fee for taking a bike on the train but it is necessary to have a bicycle permit
(issued by the railroad for $5.00 and good for life). There is no mechanism at present within the LIRRfor
addressing either the issue of reservations or a use fee. Several of those attending the hearing agreed that both
would be helpful and reasonable changes. Representatives of the LIRR will attend the next meeting of the East
End Transportation Council on August 7 in Shelter Island.
Transportation Budl!et: Neb has prepared a budget for presentation to the Town Board today. Valerie suggested
that we ask for funding for a secretary.
Moore's Woods: Neb met with Mayor Dave Kapell. He presented a three-phase plan with dollar amounts for
each phase. Mayor Kapell thought that the National Park Services plan was too elaborate. Kapell asked Neb to
ask Barbara Heaney to bring the subject up at the next Village Board meeting. She did, and we watched a video
of that meeting.
Traffic Countinl!: Valerie reponed that there are traffic counters at the following places:
Orient between the ferry and the State Park entrance
East Marion near Rocky Point Road near Sep's Farmstand
East or West of Moore's Lane in Greenpon
Near Young's A venue on Rte. 48
Near Cox Lane on Rte. 48
At Cox Neck Road where the four lanes become two.
Next spring they will do intersection counts. Valerie also asked the committee to identify traffic trouble spots in
town and let her know about them by the end of the summer.
Soundview Avenue Re-oavinl!: Glynis gave several options of how the Soundview A venue re-paving might be
done in the interests of safety. She suggested that we should schedule a meeting in August with Ray Jacobs to
discuss this. The question was asked who will do this work and is an RFP necessary.
The next meeting will be Monday, August!!. 1997,8 AM at Southold Town Hall.
Respectfully submitted. Margaret H. Brown