Board of Selectmen[Marker]
Meeting Minutes
June 10, 2008
Present: Miller, Takacs, Ketcham
Also present: B. Sanford (Highway Superintendent), Toby Welles of the Planning Commission, Police Chief Fuchs, three representatives from the DOT(M. Baker, J. Georges, B. Sweeny), one consultant to CONNDOT, Chief Miceli of the West Redding Volunteer Fire Department
Media: Redding Pilot
Mrs. Ketcham called the June 10, 2008 meeting to order at 7:30 pm.
DISCUSSION AND ACTION ON CONNDOT PLANS FOR SIMPAUG BRIDGE RESTORATION
Mrs. Ketcham commented that this project is not a municipal project and not subject to approval at a town meeting. The Board of Selectmen requested and received opinions and recommendations of the Planning Commission because the project has an impact on Marchant Road, a Scenic Road. She is grateful that the DOT requested advice and input for consideration in the decision making process.
Members of the DOT provided information on the process leading up to tonight’s meeting. The bridge location will remain the same. As a result of meetings and input, specifically the need for the very heavy fire trucks to use bridge and the impact on Marchant Road which posed additional traffic and aesthetic issues. DOT previously provided three options for consideration.
The three options were discussed in detail. There was a concern about the amount of fill that would be required for the increase in grade. The traffic intersection at Simpaug & Marchant was discussed, along with traffic stop signs at that intersection, and at the western end of the bridge to control traffic.
A member of the Planning Commission reported the Commission suggested a further option due to Commission’s concern that the potential plans would create a traffic flow-though situation rather than a situation that slows traffic. He also suggested a study be done regarding and increase grade & change in curvature of the bridge. He added that the Planning Commission is not trying to be difficult, but would like to preserve the simplicity and workability of the existing configuration as much as possible while allowing the necessary project to go forward in a timely manner and to make sure the construction process does not burden the Town’s roads or delay access to the north of Redding any more than possible.
Police Chief Fuchs reported that he, Highway Superintendent Sanford and West Redding Fire Chief Miceli were all opposed to a plethora of stop signs and options 1 & 2 have numerous stop signs. Chief Miceli agreed with Chief Fuchs regarding the geometry of the curve and the stop sign issue. His primary concern is the functionality of the bridge with the large fire trucks. In addition to the West Redding Fire Department, other fire department would use the road during mutual aid situations. He added that many of the West Redding fire volunteers live on the west side of the Simpaug Bridge and that is their primary route for response.
Toby Welles noted the existence of an archeological/historical Indian spring north of the bridge on Simpaug Turnpike.
Traffic safety consideration—particularly at the intersection of Marchant and Simpaug Turnpike going southbound—were discussed at length, with several options presented by the DOT and other meeting attendees for traffic calming at the Marchant/Simpaug intersection.
The general consensus was that Alternative 3 was the best resolution.
Motion: move that the Redding Board of Selectmen adopt Alternative 3 as presented tonight subject to satisfactory improvements to meet some of the concerns raised tonight about traffic calming, esthetic issues, and historic archeology concerns. Miller, Takacs. Approved. Unanimous.
ADJOURNMENT
The Board of Selectmen meeting was adjourned at 9:20 pm
Respectfully submitted,
Mary Maday, Recording Secretary
Mary
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