HomeMy WebLinkAbout01/31/1995
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Southold Transportation Committee
Southold Town Hall Conference Room
January 31, 1995
Present: Bob Bayley, Neboysha Brashich, Margaret Brown, Victor Brown, Rich Caggiano, Barbara
Michelson, Merle Wiggin; guest Dick Strand of Walter Dunne Associates
Special Report:
Dick Strand of Walter Dunne Associates reviewed the scope of services for our Traffic Study as
they understand our needs. Neb reiterated that we do not want a "standard" traffic study and therefore
want the scope of services to be attractive to small, innovative companies who can do a study that will
reflect the particularities and specific needs of the North Fork. Walter Dunne Assoc. has received a
signed contract from the Town of Southold (dated January 20, 1995) and their schedule is set so that by
February 20 the scope of services will be complete and ready for signing by the Town Board and DOT.
They expect to have a draft for the Transportation Committee by the end of next week (Feb. 9 or 10).
Dunne Assoc. interpreted our concerns to be: safety, parking in hamlets, signage, and mass
transportation. A mechanism will be included to insure full community input including existing Town
committees and especially the Tran.portation Committee. Neb pointed out that time should be allotted
for 2 or 3 public input sessions of a town-wide nature. Strand assured us that this will be done. He also
said that the uniqueness of the Town of Southold in the larger Long Island community, its rural ness, ways
to optimize existing traffic flow and provide safety will all be included.
The first task will be to do a complete inventory of existing conditions in terms of traffic volume,
especially summer, recreational, and passing-through traffic; existing signed speed limits throughout
town; a full review of traffic accident records in town vis a vis locations, speed, fatal and near fatal, time
of day, etc.; and use of information from other agencies such as NYSDOT and Suffolk County Dept. of
Public Works. They will also require an analysis that relates current land use and future land use as it
would impact on traffic.
Walter Dunne (who worked for DOT) has spoken to the planning people at DOT and they seem
to understand our concerns. Neb expressed worry that the schedule outlined by DOT (one year from a
completed scope of services) to appoint the consultant is slow if they are to do the traffic count this
summer and wondered if we can expect DOT to expedite this procedure. Walter Dunne shares our
concern and has expressed it to DOT. Strand is somewhat optimistic. It will be clearer once the scope of
services is submitted. Perhaps a letter from Supervisor Wickham at the time the Town submits the SOS
would be appropriate. Strand agrees.
When the RFP (request for proposal) is sent out by DOT to a list of approved consultants, the
State and the Town will have representatives to review the responses that come in (usually 6 or 7)
according to a set formula of criteria. Town and State will rank proposals and by consensus, decide on a
firm.
At our next meeting, we will review the draft of the scope of services.
General Business:
The minutes were read and accepted with a small correction: In the seventh paragraph, in the
sentence beginning "Safety concerns..." it should state that Merle would specifically identify the cross
walks in downtown Greenport and report at our next meeting. Also, the Trails Committee and all other
smaller committees will henceforth be know as "subcommittees" for the sake of clarity.
Neb was asked to join the board of the Southold Town Promotion Committee by Gayle Marriner-
Smith. He will represent the Transportation Committee. The Promotion Committee is partially funded by
the Town of Southold. Within the next year, they plan to accomplish the following:
I. Publish a new map of the Town. It will look like a 19th Century map on one side surrounded
by hand-painted store fronts of advertisers. On the back will be maps of each hamlet. It will cost $1800
10 produce.
2. Will hold a conference to bring together all those involved with the tourist and recreation
industry so that there will be a cross-referencing of all available services, activities, and special events.
3. Hope to interest large companies in underwriting a sophisticated new brochure identifying
businesses, recreation, and other points of interest.
4. Work with the marketing and tour manager of Sunrise Bus Co. to set up tours to the North
Fork from other areas. So far there is one planned from Pennsylvania and one from New England
Merle said that the Greenport Business Improvement District (of which he is a part) is now
convinced that there must be well-defined attractions in place before the area is heavily promoledor .
visitors will be disappointed. We also need more and improved restaurants and overnight
accommodations. Otherwise, the entire effort will fail.
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Neb has spoken to Diane Masiello of the LIRR and discussed two topics:
1. Neb expressed concern about the shelter at the Southold train station and she told him that it is
temporary. A consultant is working on a plan which will include all stations on the East End. The East
End will be known as the Vintage Rail Branch of the LIRR and each station will have its own distinctive
characteristics reflecting the particular village. Design is in the preliminary stages but when they are
ready they will come to the Town for final approval of the design.
2. Neb discussed the Mattituck/Cutchogue LIRR right of way and the possibility of using it for a
bicycle trail. She will discuss this with Bob Lazaro .
On January 27, Neb, Victor, Rich Caggiano, and Mike Acebo met with Mayor Kapell. The report
of the meeting is attached to the minutes. The Town of Southold has decided on a once/month meeting
with the Greenport Village Board.
The Trails Subcommittee is still waiting for wetlands maps of Moore's Woods. Moore's Woods
was declared a "Park" sometime in the past, according to Mayor Kapell, and hence will always remain a
park (unless changed by an act of the State Legislature). The Moore's Woods trails ideas will be
presented to the Greenport Village Board on February 9 by the subcommittee. Neb will write to the
BTCV with ideas for the volunteers in terms of the project and scheduling.
Bob Bayley talked to Karl Beard of the National Park Services Rivers, Trails, and Conservation
Assistance Program. They are funded annually. Paumanok has received money from them. Beard is
very enthusiastic about our plans and would like to meet with us. He wants copies of our current plans,
and said we should apply for a technical assistance grant. This is not a monetary grant, but an expert
would be sent to help get community support. Steve Ridler should be kept informed of this aspect and be
invited to the meeting with Beard. The subcommittee will assemble the necessary information.
Merle gave us maps showing the seven crosswalks on Route 25 in Greenport. 11 is DOT's
responsibility to paint and sign the crosswalks. Discussion revealed that the Transportation Committee
supports the identification and improvement of all major crosswalks on Rte. 25 from Laurel to Orient.
Enforcement is Town of Southold responsibility. The Supervisor, Mayor, and Police Chief should send a
joint request to DOT for upgrading these crosswalks.
Southold Town Police Chief Droskoski and Lt. Joe Conway believe it is a good idea to write a
column in the local paper regarding traffic safety. If the people obeyed existing laws, there would be a
dramatic reduction in accidents. They would do radio spots as well. They will approach the papers and
may also get the PBA involved.
The bus stop in Greenport has not been repaired.
The trails subcommittee will meet with Highway Supt. Ray Jacobs on Feb. 8 at lOAM to review
the project. Melissa Spiro, Barbara, Victor, Neb, and Mike will attend. The committee gave a written
report. An updated version (which they took to the meeting) is attached to these minutes.
Gail Horton reported via Victor that BOCES has a trail building department and she is involved
with them in her work. She would be happy to tell us about it.
Our next meeting will be Wednesday, February 15 at 4PM, Town Hall Conference Room.
Respectfully submitted,
Margaret Brown