To: File

From: Christopher R. Bean, P.E.

Date: December 6, 2000

RE: VTrans
       Pittsford-Brandon NH 019-3(49)SC
       CLD Reference No. 00-0219,00-0248,00-0215 and 00-0216

Subject:  US Route 7 Upgrade Steering Committee Meeting 12/04/00

Location:  Pittsford Municipal Building

Notes From Meeting

1. Conceptual Plans Development 
   1. Review Progress Prints/Status of Field Survey

   Wayne Husband updated the Committee on the status of the Conceptual Plans. Wayne presented a draft set of plans for Project Segment 4 as an example for discussion. Wayne stated that the level of design detail that goes into Conceptual Plans is much more advanced than the planning level detail that goes into a Scoping Report. The purpose of Conceptual Plans is to establish line and grade of the highway, the roadway box and the limits of work (slope lines). The plans include a title sheet, plan sheets (a bird's eye view), profile sheets, cross sections, and eventually all of the detail sheets. Wayne added that the field survey and plan annotation are complete, though Vermont Survey and Engineering remains under contract in the event that additional survey is required. Dan Peterson asked whether the plans would show right-of-way (ROW) information. It was later confirmed that existing ROW information will be shown on the plans. Chris Bean added that the Conceptual Plans for the six project segments are targeted for completion by January, 2001

   2. Mailbox Locations in Pittsford Village Chris Bean began this discussion, noting that ideally this issue might have been identified in the Scoping Report, as it could impact the design significantly. He then explained the space constraints involved with fitting the proposed pavement typical in the Pittsford Village area, and maintaining mailboxes in front of residences along both sides of US 7, as they are located today. Ideally, mailboxes would be located between the proposed curb and the sidewalk, in a panel ranging between 2 and 3.5 feet wide. To avoid encroaching on the travel lanes, an 8-foot shoulder would be needed to allow the delivery vehicles adequate room outside the traveled way. In many areas the available width will not accommodate such a treatment. The currently proposed roadway shoulder width (4 feet) does not allow enough width for delivery vehicles. Chris noted that a reduced typical (shoulder width) has been used in other locations, but the traffic volumes in those areas do not approach the magnitude of traffic on US 7, and a reduced shoulder width is not be recommended in this project area. Various options were then discussed, such as locating all mailboxes on one side of the roadway, placing "cluster" boxes with turnouts at fewer locations, and implementing door-to-door delivery. The pros and cons of each were discussed, and the consensus of the Committee was to pursue implementing door-to-door delivery. In preliminary discussions between James O'Gorman and the Postmaster, the Postmaster did not support door-to-door delivery as an option. A majority of the Committee felt that issues surrounding the delivery of mail should not dictate the width of the future highway. Peg Flory indicated that she would contact the Postmaster, as well as the newspapers, to discuss the matter further and determine what criteria must be met before door-to-door delivery will be considered. Scott Newman added that the argument for door to door delivery versus greater levels of encroachment onto historic properties necessary to accommodate wider pavement widths could be supported from a Section 106 standpoint as well.
      
      
2. Act 250 Coordination 

   Chris Bean summarized the discussions from the Act 250 Coordination Meeting held on October 25, 2000. A Master Plan approach will be taken for the overall US 7 Project. The application will be made when Preliminary Plans are complete. The Environmental Board will issue Final Affirmative Findings (FAFs) for issues that are adequately addressed, and then will revisit issues associated with each project segment on an as-needed basis, as information becomes available. FAFs are in effect for five years, and can be extended as necessary. A pre-application meeting with the DEC, VTrans, and CLD will also be held to re-famililarize the involved parties with the project and the agreed upon permit strategy.

3. Vermont Division of Historic Preservation Coordination (DHP) 

   Scott Newman informed the Committee of the DHP's position regarding the Whitaker Building, located at the "bank corner" in downtown Brandon. It is the DHP's position that a satisfactory argument for impacting the building cannot be made, and that the building must remain in place. 

   The Bloodworth property and house were also discussed. This property would be impacted by the project unless extraordinary measures, such as tall retaining walls, were implemented. Scott Newman has indicated that the historic integrity of the property has diminished to the point where such measures are not warranted, and that the house may be either set back on the property, marketed for relocation elsewhere, or, if that effort is unsuccessful, the house could be demolished. Scott asked for guidance as to when these decisions need to be made, so that the necessary mitigation and coordination will not delay the project schedule. Early acquisition of the property is also being considered. It was decided to wait until the Conceptual Plans are complete to set a timeline for these decisions.

4. Update on Bypass Studies 

   Jason Stone asked whether either of the Bypass Steering Committees had designated additional representatives. As it now stands, Pittsford still needs one representative, and Brandon needs two representatives. The Committees will work on nominating the new members.

   Jason explained that CLD is developing a Draft Purpose and Need Statement. This will be forwarded to the Bypass Steering Committees a week or two in advance of the Public Informational Meeting (PIM), which is scheduled for 7:00 PM on Thursday, January 11, 2001, at the Otter Valley Union High School, for their review and comment. (This PIM was confirmed subsequent to this Steering Committee Meeting.) 

   CLD is also working to develop a press release for the PIM. Advance notice of the PIM will go to the area newspapers as usual, but an informational insert will also be created to be delivered with newspapers several days in advance of the meeting. A draft press release and insert will also be forwarded to the Committees for their review and comment. 

   Constraints mapping is progressing. A related initiative in association with the Orton Foundation was also discussed; Community Viz is a computer software that models development and other changes in land use. The Town of Brandon is participating in a demonstration of the software, which allows a bird's eye view of land use changes as they occur over time. It is possible that the software could be used to evaluate the effects of a Bypass as it relates to land use. (CLD recently attended a demonstration of this software. A memo summarizing that meeting will be distributed.  

5. Archeological Survey Update

   Duncan Wilkie indicated that archeological issues for at least four, and probably five, of the six project segments have been cleared. The area around the Fort Vengeance Monument will require further investigation. It is likely that a National Register eligible site exists there, either in association with the fort itself, or the subsequent use of some of the fort buildings. Chris Borstel presented a cross section of the archeological deposits in this area to show their relationship to the existing road and the proposed improvements. Various scenarios of avoidance, mitigation, and early property acquisition were discussed. Duncan asked VTrans what information is needed to proceed. 

   The Steering Committee asked Louis Berger Associates and CLD to work together to develop a matrix of the various alternatives to be considered in order to resolve the outstanding archeological issues. The Committee does not want the design of the highway to be compromised to avoid archeological resources whose significance has not been positively determined. The attendees are very concerned about highway safety in this particular area. 
   
   

6. Other Issues

   Roy Newton asked that a reminder of upcoming meetings be sent to the Committee and other attendees two weeks in advance of scheduled meetings. Chris Bean agreed to do so. Chris also informed the Committee that notes of the Bypass and Upgrade Steering Committee Meetings are available on CLD's web site  

   Chris Bean explained that some consideration for concrete versus bituminous pavement is necessary. He suggested that there are pros and cons with either treatment. The Committee expressed support for the bituminous pavement option as opposed to the new concrete. 

   Lynn Saunders mentioned there was a Public Hearing scheduled for Tuesday, December 5th, to present the Rutland Regional Transportation Plan. The outcome of the meeting could have some bearing on future roadway construction in their region. She encouraged others to attend. 
   
   

7. Next Meetings

• US 7 Upgrade Steering Committee
  Monday, February 5, 2001, from 4:00 to 7:00 PM, at the Brandon Fire Station.
  
  
• Initial US 7 Bypass Public Informational Meeting 
  Thursday, January 11, 2001, from 7:00 to 9:00 PM, at the Otter Valley Union High School Auditorium. 
  
  
• Brandon Bypass Steering Committee Meeting
  Monday, January 29, 2001, from 4:00 to 5:30 PM, at the Brandon Fire Station.
  
  
• Pittsford Bypass Steering Committee Meeting 
  Monday, January 29, 2001, from 6:00 to 7:30 PM, at the Pittsford Municipal Building.

CRB: cww

cc:	Lynn Saunders	Dennis Benjamin
	Peg Flory	John Narowski
	Hank Pelkey	Mark Germanowski
	Richard Baker	Susie Leonard
	James O'Gorman	Chris Borstel
	Mike Balch	Kathleen Ryan
	Dan Peterson	Gary A. Klinefelter
	Alan Neveau	Roy Newton
	Scott Newman	Ed Barna
	Duncan Wilkie	Frank Farnsworth
	Greg Riley