M E M O R A N D U M

TO: File

FROM: Christopher R. Bean, P.E.

DATE: January 29, 2001

RE: VTrans

Pittsford Bypass Scoping Studies

NH 019-3(49)SC

CLD Reference No. 00-0215

Subject: Pittsford Bypass Steering Committee Meeting

Location: Pittsford Municipal Building

attendees: Bypass Steering Committee Members and other officials:

Lynn Saunders Brandon Selectboard PBSC, BBSC

C. Baird Morgan Pittsford Citizen PBSC

Peg Flory Pittsford Selectboard PBSC, BBSC

James O'Gorman Pittsford Town Manager PBSC

Hank Pelkey Pittsford PBSC

Dan Peterson VTrans Project Manager PBSC, BBSC

Chris Bean CLD Engineers Project Manager PBSC, BBSC

Greg Riley VTrans, Regional Planning

Duncan Wilkie VTrans Archeologist

Chris Borstel Louis Berger Group Archeologist

Mark Blucher Rutland Regional Planning Commission

Judith Kmileck Rutland Regional Planning Commission

Roy Newton Brandon/Pittsford Reporter

Jason Stone CLD Engineers Envir. Specialist

PBSC - Pittsford Bypass Steering Committee Member

BBSC - Brandon Bypass Steering Committee Member

Citizens:

Peg Armitage Pittsford Elaine Mumford Brandon

Dorothea J. Parker Pittsford Ron Eddy, Jr. Brandon

Martha Parker Pittsford Chris Eddy Brandon

Bill Parker Pittsford Phil Sutherland Brandon

Adam Parker Pittsford Monica Freson Pittsford

Nancy Vysocka Pittsford Anthony R Freson Pittsford

LaVerna Bassett Brandon Phil & Belva Guica Pittsford

Richard Bassett Brandon Bill & Paula Fitzgerald Pittsford

John S. Malewicki, Jr. Brandon Kelly & Ed Shannon Pittsford

Meeting Notes

1. Introductions

Chris Bean made general introductions of those present.

2. VTrans Project Manager

Dan Peterson indicated that there has been no change in the project manager status. He is still acting in this capacity and will continue until a replacement is named.

3. Hill and Hollow Alliance

A group of concerned citizens known as the "Hill and Hollow Alliance" has formed. The members reside primarily in the area referred to as Sugar Hollow, along Birch Hill Road, in the Towns of Pittsford and Brandon. A resolution was submitted to the Selectboards of Pittsford and Brandon. The group requested an opportunity to summarize their concerns relative to the Bypasses. The following concerns were expressed:

· David Martin: The group is concerned that westerly bypass alternatives will not be fully considered. The group recognizes that US Route 7 has problems and supports the upgrade projects and the study of "mini-bypasses" around the villages. The group opposes long bypass alternatives, especially those that would impact the Sugar Hollow area. A petition stating the group's concerns and position has been signed by approximately 300 people, and continues to be circulated.

· Ron Eddy, Jr.: Does not believe a bypass will solve the problem with US Route 7. Ron Eddy thinks the problem would only be moved to another location and that environmental impacts associated with a long bypass are not worth benefits gained.

· Chris Eddy: The Sugar Hollow area is valuable black bear habitat as well as wintering habitat for deer. Chris Eddy cited noise, pollution, and accidents (animal-vehicle) as reasons that a bypass should not be considered in Sugar Hollow.

· Phil Sutherland: The Sugar Hollow area is a valuable resource enjoyed by many for its scenic beauty and natural resources. A bypass should not be constructed there. Mini-bypasses are acceptable; a large bypass to the east of US Route 7 would be strongly opposed.

· Peg Armitage: Three concerns were expressed: destruction of black bear habitat, impacts to her own woodlot, and the rare fern species in the Sugar Hollow area.

4. Project Purpose and Need Statement

Prior to the meeting, the draft Purpose and Need Statement developed for this project was provided to the Steering Committee for review. Chris Bean summarized the input received at the Brandon Bypass Steering Committee Meeting and asked those present for comments.

C. Baird Morgan stated that he thought it was interesting that, based on the comments received after the January 11, 2001 Public Informational Meeting, many people feel the proposed upgrade projects will not address quality of life issues in the villages. He felt that these issues might even worsen if the improved roadway led to higher speeds, though he acknowledged the speeds motorists travel can be affected by local enforcement of the posted speeds.

5. Project Schedule/Progress Report

Chris Bean updated the project schedule. Phase I is essentially complete, though a meeting with the Resource Agencies will be added, to make the agencies aware of the project and to present the Purpose and Need Statement for discussion. This meeting is scheduled for February 7, 2001. Peg Flory and Lynn Saunders will attend. David Martin indicated that a representative of the Hill and Hollow Alliance would also attend. The Phase II schedule has been adjusted. The next Individual Town Steering Committee Meetings are targeted for March 8, 2001, at the Otter Valley Union High School. The Brandon Bypass Steering Committee Meeting will be from 4:00 - 5:30 PM, and the Pittsford Bypass Steering Committee Meeting will be from 6:00 - 7:30 PM. A second Resource Agency meeting is slated for early April, 2001, to discuss conceptual corridors, followed by a third round of Individual Town Steering Committee Meetings, in early to mid-April. A second Joint Public Informational Meeting is slated for late April, bringing the project back on schedule.

6. Update on Archeology

VTrans and its consultant, Louis Berger Group (LBG), have created a Predictive Model for predicting the location of archeologically sensitive areas. To the extent practicable, such areas should be considered as constraints in the development of conceptual corridors. The Predictive Model developed to date consists of a compilation of known archeological site information for sites within the project area, as well as other sites in Vermont. Information such as a site's relationship to key environmental parameters are used to predict the likelihood of archeological deposits existing in a given area. For prehistoric sites, the key parameters are proximity to a water source, and the presence of well-drained soils and terrain with low to gradual slopes. For historic sites, the key parameter is an area's proximity to historic roads.

LBG has applied the Predictive Model to the project area. Areas of predicted prehistoric and historic archeological resource sensitivity have been mapped. LBG will work to provide this information to CLD in ArcView format, for incorporation into the environmental constraints maps.

7. Environmental Constraints Maps

Jason Stone presented the constraints maps developed to date. The information contained in the maps was provided by the Vermont Center for Geographic Information and the Rutland Regional Planning Commission. Several maps were shown that group "like" resources. A portion of a map depicting all constraints was shown, to demonstrate that there is no possible way to design a bypass to avoid all resources. Conceptual corridors will be developed to minimize resource impacts to the extent practicable.

There were several questions about the accuracy of the constraints maps, especially with regard to wetland locations and boundaries. It was pointed out that the data provided by RRPC was based on NWI maps, and these include Class I and Class II wetlands only. Therefore, some wetland areas known to exist do not show on the constraints maps.

8. Next Meeting

The next Individual Town Steering Committee Meetings are targeted for March 8, 2001, at the Otter Valley Union High School. The Brandon Bypass Steering Committee Meeting will be from 4:00 - 5:30 PM, and the Pittsford Bypass Steering Committee Meeting will be from 6:00 - 7:30 PM.

CRB:cww

Attachment: Hill and Hollow Alliance Resolution

cc: Lynn Saunders	Brandon	Mark Blucher	RRPC
Peg Flory	Pittsford	Mark Germanowski	RRPC
Richard Baker	Brandon	Susie Leonard	RRPC
Jim O’Gorman	Pittsford	Judith Kmileck	RRPC
Mike Balch	Brandon	Kathleen Ryan	Landscape Architect
Hank Pelkey	Pittsford	Gary A. Klinefelter	VSE
Dan Peterson	VTrans	Virginia Russell	State Transportation Board
Alan Neveau	VTrans	Jon Satz	Store Owner, Brandon
Scott Newman	VTrans	Sen. Gerry Gossens	State Senator
Duncan Wilkie	VTrans	Roy Newton	Brandon-Pittsford Reporter
Chris Borstel	Louis Berger Group	Ed Barna	Rutland Herald
Greg Riley	VTrans	Frank Farnsworth	Otter Valley Press
Dennis Benjamin	VTrans	Harry McKinlay	Pittsford
John Narowski	VTrans