TOWN OF KENSINGTON

BOARD OF SELECTMEN

Moulton Ridge Road (M.R.R.) reconstruction

Meeting minutes

June 15, 2009

7:40PM

Dave B. opened by stating he read the proposal made by the M.R.R. residents and understands their concerns. It was his point of view that the scope of the work proposed by the residents did not address all the water issues and structural integrity under the pavement. He noted that the resurfacing done 8-10 years ago fell apart. He noted that he didn’t want to spend money on work until a complete plan was in place that everyone agreed on.

Mike M. asked if the M.R.R. ever drained well and when the last time it was reconstructed. It was agreed that in 1979 it was paved and ditch work was done.

Mike M. asked aside from the proposed reconstruction, what other clean up could be done to address the road’s issues. Mike noted the bullets of the residents’ proposal and asked if these would help. Dave. B. didn’t think they would solve the structural problems and would only address surface run-off. Rich P. expressed a need for water to drain under the pavement and wants a long term approach

Steve S., M.R.R. resident, wants to focus on the fact that it is a scenic road and not to affect the surrounding stone walls and trees.

Traffic and lack of accidents was discussed in regards to the whether there was a need for the large scope plans proposed by the town.

Mike M. noted that preserving the rural character was important and given the limited traffic asked if widening the road would be necessary.

Hans, M.R.R. resident, asked when the last time the material under the road was re-done and indicated that if the base is so old that drainage work might not help unless that was completely re-done. He indicated that there is more than one way to solve a problem and engineering is often economics and wanted to focus on what specifically is needed for the road. He questioned if maintenance and cost of maintenance is part of the plan.

Steve S., M.R.R. resident, noted that sizable trucks can and have used the road and wanted to re-emphasize that the trees and walls should remain and wanted assurance that any work done will not alter them.

Dave B. noted that the right course of action starts with addressing the water issues.

Peter, M.R.R. resident, asked if drainage issues could be addressed without widening the road and that his primary concern was to not widen the road.

Effectiveness of current ditches was discussed and impacts of cleaning them out.

Rich P. asked if installing rip rap was an esthetic issue. Steve. S., M.R.R. resident, indicated it would not be an issue and was only against widening in regards to altering the stone walls and trees. He also noted that he appreciated the town for including them in the plans.

The worst problem areas were discussed. Dave B. noted that the culvert near Steve S. house needs to be repaired, 2 driveways are causing problems and that another culvert could be addressed to help drainage issues. Dave B. suggested that this be 1 phase of a bigger picture, but would help with snow run-off.

Hans, M.R.R. resident, proposed clear objectives be stated to address the road bed, drainage and get a clear list of things that need to be done and proposed a solution that addresses, the long term water issues, economic concerns, historic and scenic road concerns in a balanced approach.

Rich P. explained the town’s approach to road reconstruction indicating that each road is evaluated and only those sections that absolutely need it would be fully reconstructed.

Steve S., M.R.R. resident, indicated that the walls that are undermined were caused by work done to the road in the past.

Dave B. suggested targeting the worst problem areas discussed earlier and assess later, which would give us time to come up with a full solution that satisfies everyone’s concerns. He said he would contact R.W. Gillespie to check the soil below the road for water content and have him recheck after the work was done.

Peter, M.R.R. resident, stated that his trees and stone wall were his primary concern. Hans, M.R.R. resident, indicated that removing obstacles preventing drainage, maintenance of potholes and replacing fallen stones by his house would be OK.

Further discussion clarified proposed steps to break up the original proposal by the town into more steps where this year phase 1 would be to; clean out the ditches, repair the culvert, re-set fallen stones in road, patching and revisiting at a later date. All agreed.

Dave B. stated that the dirt driveway on M.R.R. needs to be addressed.

Dave B. and Rich P. explained shoulder issues discovered on Drinkwater road that would need to be corrected.

Respectfully submitted,

Russell Perry

Board of Selectman