HomeMy WebLinkAbout06/23/2008RECEIVtD
JUL ? ~ 1.008 SoutholdTransportatlonCommission
Southold Town Hall
Sesstit>>4tl Ttrv~~n Viler! June 23, 2008
P : Neboysha Brashich, Jim Baker, Margaret Browa, Frank Field, Tom Fox, Ruth Oliva, Teresa Taylor,
Capt. Marty Flatley, Jamie Richter, Heather Lanza, Councilman AI Krupski, Supervisor Russell for part of the
meeting; two unidentified guests
Approval of May 27 Meeting Minutes: The Minutes of the May 27 meeting received unanimous approval, on a
motion by Ruth Oliva, seconded by Jim Baker.
Southold Town Bus Shelters: At the June 3 Town Board work session, the placement decision for a bus shelter
was put on hold until an agreeable location can be found. Jamie Richter sent a letter to Kevin Darcy of Suffolk
County DPW on June 13 informing him that Southold is willing to give its shelter to Greenport, and is also
willing to place the original shelter in Mattituck at the Shopping Center. However, he noted that the NYSDOT
has never given pemrission to place any shelters and consequently the work has been stopped by the DOT.
During the discussion, it was noted that Supervisor Russell stated that we embrace public transportation, decisions
of this nature should not be made without consideration of businesses, and spotty enforcement of "No Parking"
areas creates confusion. Neb stated that the Town has now missed a funding cycle from the County for bus
shelters.
Hamlet Transportation Enhancements Program: The contractor, RBA Group, has produced substantial work to
date. The deadline for submittal of the proposal is June 27. Heather and Neb met with RBA and reported that our
long history with DOT is an asset. Still needed are letters of support from stakeholders, a Town Resolution, a
letter from the Supervisor and Neb will write a letter from the Commission. The items listed in the proposal,
which was distributed at this meeting, could probably be adjusted as the work is done. It will cost a total of $3.2
million with $625,000 coming from the Town. Once funding is granted, they will do an RFP with specifics and
schedules for meetings to gain public input. It is intended that all the hamlets will receive equal attention.
SEEDS Update: Neb reported that at the last SEEDS meeting, considerable time was spent on the Volpe contract
and feasibility study. Neb reported that even though Volpe required a Coordinator to handle outreach to all the
Towns and Villages in the five towns, Southampton, the lead agency, has not managed to hire one and the single
candidate for the position (Hank de Cillia) withdrew his application in frustration with the delays. Neb read his
letter of resignation. Al Kmpski stated that he believes not including Cross Sound Ferry in the study makes the
project "useless" and Tom Fox stated that not considering a water taxi is a "fatal flaw".
Parking Restrictions for New Suffolk Area: Supervisor Russell, Jamie, Neb, Jim McMahon, and Pete Hams met
to discuss parking in New Suffolk. Jamie sent a letter dated June 19, 2008 to Pat Finnegan, Town Attorney,
outlining their recommendations. Briefly, the street end parking needs to be inspected and updated to meet the
code; "No Parking" on both sides of Jackson Street between First and Fourth Streets is requested; "15 Min.
Parking" should be added to the southerly end of First Street and on the westerly side of First Street in front of the
Post Office. The boat ramp parking spaces should be reserved for "Town Residents Only" if possible. He also
asked if parking of trailers, or vehicles attached to tmilers, can be restricted in the entire hamlet area. "Stop" signs
and "Yield" signs need to be reviewed in seveml places and changed for consistency and traffic safety. Final
decisions will be made after study by the legal staff.
Factory Avenue Mattituck Church Request: Stakeholders and the Implementation Committee brought up several
concerns about traffic and pedestrian safety on Factory Avenue. Church leaders spoke [o Supervisor Russell with
their concerns for new sidewalks, a crosswalk, and new signage for the church such as "Children at Play". There
is also concern for parking at the ice cream shop on the corner of Factory Avenue and Rte. 25. There is a general
congestion problem with traffic from the gas station, the shopping center and the intersection with Rte. 25. Neb
asked Jamie to talk to Pete about a crosswalk at the church. Marty will check on speed limit signs. A sidewalk
down Factory Avenue to Sound Avenue might help but would be costly.
Peconic Lane. Peconic Cross Walk Request: Supervisor Russell brought up a request from the Peconic
Committee for a cross walk between the two play areas on Peconic Lane. First, we will ask Pete Hams to put up
"Children at P-ay" signs on Peconic Lane; and second, we will let [he Stakeholders know it is part of the TEP
Project and ask for a lighted crosswalk.
Current Transportation Issues -Updates:
North Fork Beach Condominium Signage Request: Jamie and Neb met with the DPW engineers in
chazge of resurfacing the road at Town Beach. They will get letters from the North Fork Beach Condo people and
the Motel asking for a reduction of speed. Many people cross the road to the beach. They talked about cross
walks and flashing beacons. This is a possibility for later. For now they offered to put ramble strips on either
side of a cross walk and also discussed establishing a refuge island in the center turning lane. Neb asked if they
could put in textured pavement (like brick) but it is expensive. They will definitely use reflective tape on the
cross walk.
Signage Project: RBA Group will submit their full proposal be the end of the month.
Harbes Winery: Heather met with them a few weeks ago. Nothing much has been done with their site
plan but they have a new parking lot idea for the north side of the road. They will submit a new sketch.
Draft Farm Stand Ordinance: Jim Baker gave us a new revised ordinance proposal. It will now be
passed on to the Agriculture Committee.
Peconic Recycling & Transfer Station Project, Depot Lane: Neb sent a memo to Heather stating that
the Commission does not favor replacing the existing flashing light on Depot Lane with a traffic light. The traffic
light at Cox Lane and CR48 provides sufficient breaks in traffic for getting in and out of Depot lane.
Five Towns Rural Transit: There was nothing new to report beyond what was covered during the
SEEDS discussion.
Old Business: Neb had written to NYS DOT Engineer Frank Pearson regarding athree-color traffic light at the
intersection of Rte. 25 and CR 48 in Greenport. He received a letter dated June 2, 2008 from Mc Pearson stating
that they had scheduled an investigation and would report back as soon as possible.
New Business: Tom Fox reported that there is poor sight distance at the intersection of Cedar Drive and Main
Bayview Road in Southold. He asked if a mirror could be installed there. Marty said Pete needs to address this.
Councilman AI Krupski reported that the "No Parking" zone across from his farm stand on Rte. 25 is mostly not
enforced, but last fall it was strictly enforced. He asked why "No Parking" signs are there at all, since parking is
allowed in many places along Rte. 25 and in front of businesses. We will look into this and also try to find out if
there is a relevant NYS DOT parking code.
The next meeting is scheduled for 10 AM, Monday, July 28, 2008.
Respectfully submitted, Margaret H. Brown