Good to go. Good to go. Okay. Okay. Why don't we get started here? Good evening. We're here for the um meeting of the Danvers Planning Board. It is uh Tuesday, May 13, 2015 at 7 PM. We're here in the TUMI room at Danvers Town Hall. I'm Lewis George. I'm
the uh chair. I'm here joined by Gene Hartnett, uh clerk, um members Jim Sears, Tim Spiddle, and Michael Dulis. Uh and also joined by Josh Morris from the principal planner with the town of Danverse. So, let's take a look at our
um agenda here. So first agenda item is um planning board reorganization. Elect a chair and a clerk. I just wanted to just give a quick um background here. Um just uh you know historically the chair and the clerk have served for two years and then rotate uh to the next member
based on seniority. So um Jim had served as chair for two years and I served as uh clerk for two years before I was elected to chair last year. Um I think it's a good approach. I think it allows the chair and the clerk to serve a sufficient period of time in their roles. Uh but also allows for newer
members to move up uh if they desire. Uh but under our planning board procedural rules, however, we do need to have an annual election of a chair and a clerk. Uh the first meeting following the town election uh which was um this is the first meeting after the town election.
Um I'm willing and I'm interested in serving another year as uh chair before passing the baton. I believe uh Jean's willing to serve as another year as as clerk. Um at the end of the day, however, um it is the board's decision. So, we do have to have a motion um you
know, on a slate. So, I either entertain a motion or or further discussion on this. So, I leave it to the leave it to members of the board. I think the the present board as constituted is doing a hell of a job and I would continue to support them and
move to um vote to keep the present board members in the positions they are at Lew as chairman and Gene as uh clerk. Okay. Thank you. Thank you Jim. There's a motion has been made. Is there a
second? Second. Second by Jean. Second if she can't. Yeah. Yeah. Okay. I don't think you can second. Right. Second by Mike Dulis. Okay. So, first by Jim Sears, second by Mike Doulis. Um, is there uh is there any discussion on the motion?
Okay. Hearing uh none. All in favor, please say I. I. I. Any opposed? None. So, the motion has been made and thank you very much and I've enjoyed working with you all and continue and we uh look forward to working with you again for the for the coming year. Great. Great.
Thank you. I do have to recuse myself for the next item. Okay, very good. So, just for the record, Jim Sears will be recusing himself from the next item. Okay, we'll give him a moment to step step away. Great. Thank you. So, the next
item here is the Beaverbrook Woods definitive subdivision, 303 to 333 Maple Street. It's a request by Beaverbrook Woods LLC for the release of the performance guarantee for the Beaverbrook Woods definitive subdivision. And could you introduce
yourself for the record, sir? John Colin, Tony, uh, for the record from Beaverbrook Woods LLC subdivision. Um so uh here just to get the subdivision finally released. Want to thank Josh and the planning department for all their
their help uh through a number of items throughout the years and the same to the board as well. U really appreciate it and um and that's really it for tonight. And if there's any questions. Okay, great. Um any questions from
members um members of the board? Start with Jean. No, I looked over the engineering memo and seems like everything has been taken care of. Okay, Tim, no questions. Congrats on finishing the project. Thank you, Mike. No questions. Congrats. Thank
you. And I have no questions and I echo congratulations on on on completion. That's great. Thank you. So, all right. Appreciate it. Very good. So, in terms of what we need, I believe we do have a um we do have a decision in our our packets. Can I ask the the clerk to read
the uh read the decision? Certificate of completion and release of municipal interest in performance security. The undersigned being a majority of the planning board of the town of Danvers have determined that the construction of ways and installation of municipal
services shown on the plan entitled Beaverbrook Woods definitive subdivision in Danvers, Massachusetts dated April 23rd, 2019 revised through August 7th, 2019 known as the Beaverbrooks Brookwoods definitive subdivision have
been fully and satisfactorily completed by the applicant in accordance with the board's rules and regul ulations to serve all lots. The plan is recorded in the Southern Essex District Registry of Deeds as plan book $477 plan 70. The
performance of the subdivision is secured by 17,600 held under a tripartite agreement. Pursuant to MGL chapter 41 section 81-U and in in consideration of completion of said construction and
installation, the Damverse planning board hereby releases its interest in the performance security referred to above. Executed as of the 13th day of May, 2025. Okay. Thank you, Jean. It's been moved. Is there a second on the motion? Second. Okay. Second by Tim
Spiddle. Very good. Um uh any discussion on the motion hearing? None. All in favor, please say I. I. I. Any opposed? None. And as was noted, Jim Sears did not participate. He recused himself. So very good. It's been moved
and approved. Josh, is there anything else that's needed with respect to this? No, that's it. Okay, great. Thank you so much. Thank you very much. Congratulations. Thank you. Yep. Okay, so we're back here. So if Jim Sears can hear us here, Jim can come
back into the Oh. Okay. All right. So Jim Sears is making his way back and very good. Our next agenda item is um uh third agenda item is Tras Lane, full release of covenant. a request for
a full release of a covenant established on August 28th, 1972, which is associated with the definitive subdivision plan entitled quote proposed access to Folly Hill Development, Danvers, Massachusetts, end quote, and dated June 2nd, 1972, and also known as
Tras Lane, Denver's Mass. So, um, Josh, where we stand on on this? It's my understanding that there's a uh that the applicant has made a request for a continuence. Yes. Um that is true. Um there is a representative from the
development team. Um attorney Samasco. Um I wasn't sure if you wanted to just say a very brief few words or just we want to do the continuence or Sure. What I guess I would refer to you. That would be great. Thank you.
Hi. Good evening members of the board. Miranda Samasco from Glovesky and Glovesky on behalf of Corkran. Um we have as you know um amended our original request with the board um requesting a
partial release um and that was amended to be a request for a full release some number of weeks ago. Um we are still um engaged in I would say ongoing discussions with town council about the
best way to proceed and we are also engaged um in our MEPA process which we are scheduled to sort of wrap up um end of June, beginning of
July and um we are still sort of kneede in our uh permitting for the uh Beverly Planning Board. So, in light of of those factors, we had originally just requested that the planning staff um
make a request to table this matter indefinitely. However, I think uh staff's preference was to um continue to a date certain. So we are suggesting that the board's meeting in
July would be um an appropriate date to continue to Mhm. with the caveat that we may very well ask for further time, but um that at least I think satisfies the procedural requirements. Okay. Right. And and it's my understanding, Attorney
Samsco, that it would be the um the July 22nd, 2025 meeting. Correct. I'm sorry if I misspoke. Yeah. No, no, you you just said July. I just wanted wanted to be be clear in terms of the date. So, um and um Okay, very good. I appreciate you
appearing today and and and and giving a giving an update on where things where things stand. So, um so Josh, in terms of this um uh they need a motion. I mean, I because it's a request for a continuence, I guess we can't go much really further into the merits of
things. Yes, that's yes, that's Yeah. Right. That's uh I think that update was helpful attorney Sebasco but yes because it's being continued I don't I think it would be appropriate to not speak too much more about the matter right unless any members have any questions I guess with respect only narrow very narrow to
the continuence itself any I had one question because if yeah you said that you're still sort of working with Beverly planning board one update I was very curious about because we talked about originally was um you
said I believe you represented that they had rejected the idea of opening that road to county way and I was just curious if there was any further discussion on that. Yeah, we have had discussions with the city um and in fact MEEPA asked the
MEEPA office asked that those discussions be um undertaken and um the city is is not able to open up that access. Not able or not willing
I'm not going to speak for the mayor on that. Um, that's all. Thanks. Okay. Yep. Right. Thank you, Tim. Any other further questions with respect to the continuence itself? Okay. Okay. Um, hearing none, then um uh
can I ask the clerk to make a a motion on the continuence? I make a motion we continue chest clean full release of covenant to our July 22nd 2025 meeting. Okay. Motion's been made. Is there a second on the motion? Second. Okay.
Second by Tim. Okay. Any further discussion on the motion for continuance? Uh hearing none. Uh all in favor please say I. I. I. Any opposed please say no. Okay. The motion passes. So, we'll see you again in uh uh July
the 22nd. Thank you all very much for the time. I appreciate it. Thank you very much. Okay. All right. So, let's move on into the next agenda item which is a discussion related to the transportation
needs assessment. Uh this is a discussion about um about uh recommendation draft recommendations and you all should have received a copy of this and um Josh did do you want to give a bit of an intro um on this? I know
we've had some uh I I believe we did have a presentation. I think it was actually at the in the minutes that we just reviewed here the March minutes from I believe it was from Sarah Scott from MAPC. That's right. Um so I think where staff and with MAPC um in terms of
discussion tonight um these are recommendations that came about um through speaking with some folks in town and the looking at the results from the transportation survey. And I think um in terms of this evening,
I think a couple things that I'd like to bring up and part of the discussion are um kind of high level in looking over these four recommendations and in that is there anything that that you that the
group feels is missing? Is there anything in this set of recommendations that is completely you know um inappropriate or seems kind of uh out of bounds or you know why essentially why why would this be included? It's not that
important or should be modified significantly. And then also I think ultimately um if we could come away from this evening about um with sort of um not necessarily rank choice voting but sort of like sort of um what would be the
board from the board's perspective what would be you know your number one most important number two number three number four type situation. I mean obviously there's five of you and it might be different for all five of you but if there staff could get a sense for just
that that hierarchy um we feel like that would be beneficial. Okay. So, and just so we can um you know just for purposes we're I'm reading off this here and so for those who might be you know viewing it at home the recommendations I saw here there were the four were the first
priority recommendation one and again this is you're asking for us to you know look at you know I guess to see if anything's missing anything's bad um as well as rank them but at least so not in any necessarily order but it's listed here priority recommendation one update
the complete streets prioritization plan. Priority recommendation two, promote existing transit services available in Danvers. Three, um, priority recommendation three, revise the zoning bylaw to promote sustainable
development. And priority recommendation four, develop a parking management plan for downtown. So that seems to be the four. Okay. So, um, so I guess in terms of walking
through it, I mean, do we want to, um, how's the board going to do it? Do we want to walk through each, you know, each one, um, or go into in terms whatever you see is your choice? What do you say? Well, I I think we should walk through
them just for the benefit of the audience and let them know what we're deciding and just give kind of a thumbnail sketch on each one and we can go deeper if we need to. Sounds good. So, why don't we start with the first um priority recommendation
one? So, Josh, you want to read through it? I can read through it. whatever they do. Do you have a preference or I can't if you'd like me to I can you want me just read read that first kind of the first paragraph for each one would be all right. So the first one is the priority recommendation one update the
complete streets pri prioritization plan. Denver's complete streets prioritization plan was done in 2019 which means that it's over 5 years old. U Mass Department of Transportation recommends that plans are updated. The
complete streets plans are updated every 5 years so they accurately reflect community needs. Importantly, having an updated prioritization plan will enable the town to unlock up to $500,000 in construction funding to implement one or more projects identified in the plan.
Um, oversight of the planning process should be jointly shared by engineering staff and the department of public works and planning staff and the department of land use community services for more information about complete streets. See appendex E of this memo. Um, just for
context. So basically um I don't have it all completely memorized the process but essentially planning and engineering I was here at the end of for the 2019 planing and engineering staff would essentially put
together a list of the 15 to 20 type of like um infrastructure mostly roadway pedestrian projects or essentially what would end up being like intersections that we felt were like very val like that should be updated, improved, you
know, for instance, you know, like the intersection in front of town hall, the main Denver Square and we just put we and we kind of ranked it town staff for the state. You know, these are intersections andor roadways that we
would, you know, in an ideal world, sort of like what we're doing with this process, we'd kind of ranked it based on different criteria and metrics. And with that plan then the state we we would be able to potentially get significant funding to do them. Now the priority for
this would be in terms of complete streets from and I'm reviewing some of the you know then there's language says once you update the complete streets prioritization plan you can and it goes into other things that can be done which include um you know bicycle and pedestrian infrastructure projects new
and widened sidewalks pedestrian crossings pedestrian signal upgrades bike lanes shared use path connections bike parking um you know comprehensive street and sidewalk maintenance plan. So this seems to be focused when it coming talking about intersections and such.
You're talking more about not just focused on automobiles or or cars or trucks, but more in terms of pedestrians, people on bikes walking. It's a word, you know, that I think we it was referenced I think when Sarah was here when someone asked what is complete streets. It's, you know, it's cars, but
it's also, you know, if we were going to spend a decent amount of money on upgrading or improving this intersection, not only would it be to improve the car experience, but pedestrians, potentially bicyclists, you know, making ADA. So, it's it's
multimodal potentially. Um, so there's a lot of a lot of, you know, layers to it. So, Got it. Okay. So, in terms of the um and I think I I I heard Brian speak at the last select board meeting about the
um sort of the results of some of the transit uh you know the the survey that was done. And I think he indicated didn't he say that that that one of the biggest issues that people had was uh or concerns that people had was I guess walkability. Yeah, I think he alluded to
anecdotal that um there was a significant amount of sort of interest or comments about um right in improving walkability throughout town, you know, um updating improving sidewalks, making new sidewalks, you
know, putting crosswalks in, you know, appropriate locations. So, okay. There definitely there definitely there certainly seems to be an interest in um enhancing the that those features of town for sure. Got it. Okay. Right. So, that's a discussion of the a priority of
that first priority recommendation. Did members of the board, do we want to talk about that or do we prefer that Josh go through each of them? Any preference? Maybe just one question on this because it says we have a complete streets prioritization plan. Can we see that? Uh, sure. I'm not sure
if it's expired or what or just to get a sense for what's in it. Sure. Be helpful. Yeah. I'd also note that this refers to an appendix E. Yeah, I know. I didn't I didn't um Is there more to this memo? I haven't seen that myself, so I will uh I'll when I find that I'll send
that around to Okay. Yeah. Thanks. Okay. So, this 500,000 goes to any one of these four just the first one. Just the first one. So, let's say for instance, we this is
all just me talking. Let's just say town staff felt like this intersection in front of town hall could use a serious upgrade improvement. We could apply for the state to like up to 500 grand to help us, you know, uh upgrade that
intersection essentially. Unfortunately, the money doesn't go as far as it used to. So, you'd think that you'd be able to do several, but um that's not necessarily the case. But, but yeah, that 500 grand um Jim would just go to the first recommend the 500
grand is is just the complete streets program. So, would that have to be put on the 2026 budget or I'm assuming, you know, that money would not be available for this 2025 because it's a fiscal year.
Sure. I'm I'm not exactly sure when it would the the exp I think we generally I think the applications to submit are generally in like the spring. So um and we we might have to wait for the spring of 2026, but I'm not sure exactly the time frame when it would start and stop.
But yeah, I would think that the money would be spent for this year already. That's pro that's very likely. Yes. But so if we can get the money, let's get the money. Yes. Some someone's offering you a half a million dollars. That's a lot
of money for I know it's probably not in the big scheme of things you guys that I mean, but that's a half million dollars that we don't have that could be used. We did uh in 2019 or 2020, we did have when we did through went through the whole process, we did have a couple
projects um lined up and everything, but just unfortunately the state they they weren't chosen to Yeah. to be awarded the money. So, is it a bidding process when you say if we come up and say we come back and say, "Okay, let's let's go for the money first and try to get that." Is it are we bidding to get that
money or is that money not guaranteed? Is that what you're saying? It's not guaranteed. No, it's a grant of up to 500,000. So, they may in their wisdom decide that it's that our application may warrant 500,000 or it may warrant 40,000. Yes. Something of that nature.
Yes, there is discretion at the state's level whether your project is worthy or depending on how much money is in the in the bucket that all the other, you know, communities are vying for that amount of money. So So would the DPW andor staff have a priority? You mentioned the
intersection in front of the town hall. I don't I mean I don't see that as I know it's not perfect but I don't know if there's a is there a particular spot in town where there are a lot of accidents or that's part of like the whole like process a lot of updating that needs to be done to the roadway. Yeah. I mean just anecdotally we do get
a decent amount of comments just because there's the f it's I I was just using that as an example just for conversation. Um you know uh obviously where we sit like intersections that do have you know
higher crashes would you know would rise in terms of our hierarchy of like you know this intersection does have a very significant amount of automobile andor pedestrian uh you know I you know events and that would probably as during our process and
creating a hierarchy would would you know would r would raise that particular geography, you know, compared to other places. And would that be only local roads? Cuz I'm sure people have problem with Elliot Street and 128 and that's a experience in of itself, but that's a
state highway. Sure. I believe don't hold me to it. I believe it would we would only probably be doing local local intersections or it doesn't have to be it doesn't like non-numbered roads, right? Yeah. And I you know, I just keep using intersections as an example. Um they don't necessarily have to be
intersections. um on that uh you know some of these bullet points that Lou mentioned you know any of these types of you know physical infrastructure projects it doesn't have to be it was just I just said intersect it's just easy to you know well and it could be
pedestrian safety I know that that was an issue that came up even in terms of some even like you know even the recent development on high street in terms of so for so for right so that was a real example that we discussed recently um if we felt like planning and engineering
and we you know let's just call it the high street corridor right needed and you know uh needs or needed significant pedestrian improvements maybe that's something that would we would throw on this list right and then we probably to combine with the
because I know we talked about a little bit about the the new mitigation fee that's been yeah right and then you know right there's that piece to it too there's so there's the different pieces and layers to all these things. I wasn't here for the first presentation on this. So, could you actually help me
understand this is a community needs assessment? Yep. There's a complete streets prioritization plan and then I understand there to be a transportation needs assessment that's encompassing that plus more which might fit into a master plan. How do I understand what we do
with this? Like what's the implementation steps beyond this? Because we say we need to update the complete streets prioritization plan. Who does that? That comes out. Say say that one more time. The last the last piece. Start with one question at a time. Sorry, I'm throwing a lot at you. Complete streets prioritization plan. It
says we need to update that. Who would do that? That would be planning and engineering staff. Okay. But we could share it with you folks if we felt like that was necessary or helpful or beneficial. Not to interject. That's why you want some direction in terms of if this is a priority from us, we could at least say to plan staff, yeah, we want
this one as number one priority or number two, what have you. So where I think where you're going, this is just the recommendations from the transportation needs assessment. Um how I view it is we would be this
transportation section would be more than just these recommendations in this document. You know, I haven't seen it or a draft or anything, but I'm thinking that it might be more like a you know, let's just say 8 to 15 pages transportation town of Danverse. Ultimately, this could potentially be a
chapter within the master plan and then within this chapter are these recommendations associated with transportation. Does that make sense? It's so there is a separate document. This is just the summary of a separate document. This is just a summary of the
recommendations within the transportation chapter of the of a of a potential master plan. Okay, does that make sense? Yes. And who is authoring that chapter of the master plan? Um MAP Sarah Scott and MAPC along with
like planning staff and MAPC are kind of working together but this is their MAC MAPC put these recommendation these recommendations together but in consultation with you know Brian and um the survey the transportation survey and stuff like that. Does that make sense?
Yep. So having a chapter to a master plan is good. Yes. Is there a plan for the rest of the master plan? Not to get ahead of myself, but like this recommends zoning update for example. Yeah, that would be something for which it would be helpful
to have a master plan. Right. So, as we not to get too off, um the housing piece, the housing production plan that we also spoke about several or a month or two ago, the idea is that you could potentially
um once that chapter or section is the once our housing production plan is also um finalized, which needs to come back to the board and have a conversation about that too. The idea where we sit or planning staff sits is that that could
potenti potentially be the housing chapter in a master plan. Yeah. And then this transportation would be the transportation chapter and we're trying to fill the a master plan generally is comprised of like six different sections or chapters and we're sort of doing
these individual plans with the idea that they could potentially be cumitively be a master plan of some nature. Um, but that's the idea and hope. Um, we're trying to still I think Brian's trying to figure out if the state would allow us to do something of that nature, but that's the idea. Okay.
Um, the the goal. Um, last question, I promise. Yeah. No. So, does the master plan re sort of what is the framing of the purpose of the master plan? Because these are recommendations. They're sort of aspirational, not guaranteed to happen. Sure. I would have understood a
master plan to be the plan of what we actually think we're going to implement. Is there a meaningful difference between those two things or like we don't necessarily need to do all four of these? Someone's recommended them. Yeah, we haven't decided if we're going to do them or not, right? Will the master plan need to solidify these are the ones
we're going to do? I mean, you probably wouldn't put something in it that you didn't actually really want. You wouldn't if there was something that was so far reaching or kind of out there that you see my question though, right? is like someone recommends something then we have the authority to say these
are the ones we want to do that's our master plan like there's a step between those two correct I think what we're doing today is I think one of the things they want is to be able to to so that we can look at this sift it through and be able to provide them feedback like this is what we this is what we want or what
we feel are priorities that I think it are implemented and I would imagine ultimately go into a there is usually in a master plan like an implementation chap chapter or section or like you know like I guess what we're talking right now is yeah in our master plan if there
were things in here that we felt we shouldn't be doing then we should not be you should not be included in this document. Okay. Does that make Yep. But so if there is something that you really really want to see or you think the town should be pursuing
um we should definitely add it. Well can I sorry I said that was my last question but I lied. That's good. Um, so I assume that there's sort of data underlying these recommendations. Yeah. I mean there's like quantitative
and some sort of projection of traffic. Yeah. I mean I think we know Yeah. I mean well in particular which one in partic like is there one in particular? Just in general, right? Because you know the the updating the streets prioritization plan seems obvious because we have it. It needs to be
updated. But for example, like uh yeah, the the recommendations they made for three revise the zoning bylaws and some of the things they specifically mention. I guess I'm just kind of curious where those recommendations come from in terms of like do we have to just
take them at face value? Do we agree with them anecdotally based on our opinion or is there like data under here about here's a trajectory of growth, here's the traffic patterns we see and we think parking needs to be changed by X. Um just again Jim I'm just just picking
up just in terms of the um just looking at the transportation needs assessments even that the town on the town website sort of walks through the different tasks which includes like an existing condition analysis stakeholder focus groups and relationship building community engagement issue analysis and
then recommendations and then a budget. So I would assume then that there is the particularly when it comes to the existing conditions analysis right that's where that's where sort of you you got the data right for sure right
so and I assume that there is a yeah so I think there's a if we if I I think I assume that if we want to see the work that's that's available. Yeah. I mean I feel like um I think these are the recommendations like these would
probably be like the end of the section the there I'm assuming that there would be the data or the you know that I think you're looking for or would be you know the first couple pages of this chapter if you feel like that would be we could
probably provide that soon. I mean these are these are I'm happy to talk about these topics at a high level and just my personal opinion of which I think are important but there's obviously a lot of data that went into this and I think just having more to sort of chew on and okay so kind of like it seems it would
be beneficial um to see more than just the recommendations which is fine which is a comment of in and of itself would be helpful. Yeah. Okay, that makes sense. Like sort of it's like where do these come where you're sitting it's like
where do these where where are these coming from? Is that you're sort of alluding to? Yeah. Okay, that makes sense. Particularly some of the some of the like even some of the items that are mentioned like you know appendix E of the memo. So like like having that actual appendix to take a look at as well as any of the um access
to any of the you know any of the findings or I mean it could mean you want to you know I'm not sure if this is something that um you know I know I know that that that Sarah presented to us as a as a group you know a month and a half ago but maybe this is something that we
could um you know she could either uh you know come back or speak to us virtually right you know now that we have the you know this draft. Sure. You it it would be helpful to see holistically this whole this whole chapter. Yeah. Okay, that makes sense.
Okay. All right. Um Tim, anything I'm going to Anything further for the moment? Nope. That's helpful. Thank you. Jean, anything you wanted to Not at the moment. Okay. Um Mike, anything? Are we
providing like thoughts on these right now? Are we waiting till we get through them to give our thoughts? What is our what's our plan? It's a discussion. So, whatever we I mean we can sort I think for for for benefit of people from you know at at home watching I think it would be good if we could sort of walk through them. Okay. So, let's walk through them and then go back. That's
fine. Jim, do you have anything further before we went to No, I agree. Let's finish the the four main topics. Okay. Great. So, the next item um is priority recommendation to promote existing transit services available in Danvers. Um Josh, you want to give a summary of
that? Yeah, I guess I'll just read that first paragraph and then we can get into it. Um while Danverse does not have robust transit access, there are a variety of public transit options that are available for people who live, work, and visit the town, including the Salem Skipper, Senior Shuttle, Veterans Van, MBTA bus, Kata Bus, and Logan Express.
Since each of these services has different operators and writership, many people who could benefit from them don't know they exist. The town could work with these different operators to develop a promotional campaign to raise awareness of existing transit services in Danvers. The campaign should include
clear information about routes, fees, hours of operation, frequency of service. The town should work with large employers, small local businesses, schools, service providers, and community- based organizations to design materials and identify opportunities for engaging potential transit riders such as info sessions, open houses, and fair
free days. Materials could include a centralized web page with information hosted by the town flyers with links and QR codes to the web page and a short video about available transit services that can easily be shared through social media materials should be available in English
and Spanish. Okay. So I think that this is just I mean so yes unlike uh several of our abing neighbors we don't have you know we don't have commuter rail.
However, there is uh clearly, you know, a decent amount of transit services that are operating in town. And I think that they sort of work right now sort of in in isolation or silos. And I think this recommendation
is sort of saying, you know, pro, you know, it should they should if they could communicate a little bit better or if the town could sort of work as maybe a conduit of some nature to kind of connect all of these uh you know,
services that currently exist and you know, maybe not be existed. You know, we could highlight we could highlight them better, right? And I think that that's what this is sort of okay um pursuing.
Sounds good. Why don't we just why don't we just move on to the the you know let's go let's get through all here. So let's move on to priority recommendation three. Um revise the zoning bylaw to promote sustainable development. Sure. U zoning by law reflects an outdated
approach to land use management that isolates different uses and makes it harder for people to get around with their car. A more sustainable approach to development would make it easier for people to walk, bike, and roll around Danvers, which would reduce traffic congestion, support more support more frequent transit services, and reduce
emissions. There are many ways that the zoning ball can be improved, but the most important step is to reduce or eliminate minimum off- streetet parking requirements for new development. Reducing parking requirements means that more space can go to housing and open space than surface parking lots and garages while simultaneously making
housing more affordable. Developers will provide the amount of parking that they think the market demands because they want to attract buyers and tenants. Some communities don't require any parking and expect developers to tell them how much parking they need to make project financially feasible. At a minimum, the Denver should reduce the amount of
parking required for multif family residential uses to one space or less for each dwelling unit regardless of the number of bedrooms. The town should also reduce the amount of parking required for commercial uses such as stores, offices, shopping centers, restaurants, and healthcare
facilities. Working with the planning board, the town could engage MAPC to identify appropriate parking minimums across a range of uses. The town could also undertake the this effort internally with its own staff. Um, in my interpretation of this, Mhm. I
believe that this is mostly referring to not downtown, if that makes sense. Um, I could be wrong. I could be saying something erroneous, but um I know we've done a lot of work in terms of parking and lind use
downtown and I think this is referring mostly to not not down not downtown. Um where um if you were to do residential units outside of downtown, it's two spaces per unit.
and um you know just um just I s I think sort of looking at commercial parking outside of downtown such as our large commercial areas you know such as the mall you know 114 and Route 1.
Um it's sort of looking at um our parking probably is a little is probably outdated in terms of u it's higher than probably in reality it even just even something like um on the books
like the self storage facilities you know just it's very very high in terms of what happens in reality so I think how I would sum this paragraph up would be basically an analysis of parking out outside of downtown essentially like our
parking table section 10. Mhm. Um that's how I view this when I read this. That's what I'm interpreting. Okay. Yeah. It definitely doesn't work downtown. Yeah. Or it's like I I I don't think that we've clearly um Yeah. Yeah. I think we have to be really careful. I don't think
it works in Massachusetts. If we're in Florida, maybe. But we have six months of winter. You don't see too many people riding their bikes from November to March, but um it's too cold. It's not work.
Doesn't work. Um I guess if I'll just jump to the number four then if that's all right. So develop a parking management plan for downtown. The town did a parking study in 2015 which we discussed last week or a couple weeks ago that highlighted issues with how on and off streetet parking is managed
downtown. While the study is now 10 years old, it offers a comprehensive approach for improving how people access parking downtown. Before implement before implementing the study's recommendations, the town should update the parking utilization analysis so it will have accurate current data to
inform decision-making. The town could engage MAPC to conduct this analysis pri or hire a private consultant or undertake this effort internally. The town may want to consider waiting to conduct the analysis until Maple Square reaches a certain occupancy level. Um, I
guess in summary, how I read this, um, you know, as it sort of alludes to that 2015 parking study, um, you know, it's 2025. Um, it probably makes sense, especially with the likely
and projected and current kind of development that will happen downtown, right? it probably would be appropriate um yeah to take a take take a more recent look a recent kind of view of what's happening um particularly I think
it's alluded to in here um when uh Maple Square is um you know fully or very close to being fully occupied um obviously there's been a couple other development projects that have been approved um and you know I don't think anyone
wants um you know whether it's real or perceived a parking problem um I think it's something that you know we just would something that we would want to get ahead of um so yeah all right so we've gone through all
you know all of these so we've heard some definitely heard some comments on the on priority recommendation one about the complete street so I think we need some additional like some additional backup information I guess it seems um I I have some thoughts just based on reviewing it. But why don't I go back to
um to the board in terms of looking at the at the I know we spoke about the priority recommendation one. What about priority recommendation two about promoting existing transit? Um any thoughts on that? Um Jim?
Well, I would like to propose that we do a meld of one, two, and four because I think at the end of the day, as was mentioned, we're going to have a couple hundred more new units downtown in the not too distant future and downtown should be the focus. I mean, if we can,
if there's any way we can get up to a half million dollars to use toward focusing on downtown whereby you add, you know, you look at additional parking, you look at maybe some MBTA
andor Skipper, Kata, whatever type of public transportation. Say you put a stop where the old train station was on Hobart Street across from the 140ome unit building there. um that would kind of blend kind of the
intent of one, two, and four and get some money that the town doesn't have to pay andor the developer. And you're going to have, you know, you're going to put in place the promotion of these uh this public resource that's very
inexpensive for people to use. You're going to have 140 units there with up to two bedrooms, three bedrooms. So, you could have a fair amount of people there. hardware store gets developed. You got another 28 units, High Street, further
down, Murphy's, a lot of those places. If in the next few years, you're going to see it. And we've got resources that the state's going to give us hopefully to promote this and also have some infrastructure improvements to to
provide for it. So, can we kind of blend? I don't think they have to be separate and distinct priorities. I mean, if we can kind of sell it as part of the ask for the half million, hey, we're going to do this. We need some infrastructure improvement andor at the
same time, we're going to be promoting these other um services that are provided that people don't know about. I didn't know anything about the skipper until we had that meeting. I'm sure a lot of people don't know about it and and older folks that don't go to the senior center might not know about it,
you know. So, I think it's important to uh get the word out, especially if we can, you know, if we were to encourage that, you know, is there a ceiling? Is there a limit? You know, are they going to have to buy more of those skipper vehicles because I
know it's used primarily in Salem. Right. Right. You know, what we probably need to get some more information on that. Sure. Yeah. So that's what I So I guess in summary, Jim, focus and I sort of had a similar
feeling as I was reading it myself, a focus sort of on on downtown but elements of one, two, but like downtown, the focus and then one, two, and four, you know, the geography of downtown being a a strong I mean that's what
we've been doing all of our planning for the last several years about and you know, if we've got some more money, they can help kind of organize it and clean it up. Right. Okay. Thanks, John. Jean, do you want to
add anything at all or anything? Yeah, I think that was a good idea. Jim, um, if we could look at where the traffic is coming from and going to in the downtown, we could see if there's a way to mitigate that. like if we see
that, you know, a lot of people that are moving into the condos are going, I don't know, to the mall or like one specific area, then we could try and get transit on those focused areas. Mhm. Um
or even if it's like people cutting through the town when they could be taking 62 or if there's another route that we could maybe encourage. Anything further change on that? Nope. Okay. Mike, anything you want to
Um, yeah. I mean, I think if you can combine it, it's great. I think sometimes when you try to do too much, it sometimes everything gets done partially and not to the best of the ability. So, I think that that's a great idea if we can get it all done. I just think it depends on money and value and
stuff like that and how much we get from that $500,000 and how far it goes. Um I personally think that sidewalks are a huge thing. I think that I'm didn't realize how bad it was until I started having kids and walking around with strollers and riding bikes
and I actually rode my bike to my son's school today to drop them off and pick them up and it was absolutely atrocious how bad the bumps were and I just was shocked how bad the the sidewalks are that I didn't realize how bad they were. So, I think sidewalks like in the area of downtown so people can actually get
to downtown would be great, too. Um, so I think that's great. Um, and then, sorry, I'm just remembering what's Oh, and then this will probably be the unpopular opinion of my thoughts, but
I think a lot of the concerns that people have about downtown parking are that people don't want to walk. And again, that's maybe an unpopular opinion, but I've never had an issue with parking downtown. And again, maybe an unpopular opinion, but I think if you're willing to walk a little bit,
there's a lot of spots available. I just actually looked on Google Earth while we were sitting here, and from like Supremes and Rockos, the distance to some of those lots is basically the same distance as if you're walking from the front door at Target to like the back spots at Target. Like, it's not that far away, but I think it seems that far away
if you can't park right out front. So, I think it's great if we can not have a further problem, but to me, I think the streets and the sidewalks and the crosswalks are more important if I had a if I had to prioritize them. But I think to Jim's point, yeah, if you can do it
all, it's great. I just um maybe like a may so um maybe another recommendation related to side like a side like a sidewalk recommendation like a fifth recommendation. Yeah. I mean that's a
personal thought on it. I I don't know what the I think that all the board should have comments and give us feedback and everything but that yeah that's just like my personal feelings from experiences. I know you mentioned like the the um intersection out front of town hall and and before I lived in that area, I would have said to Jim's point, I would have been like, I don't
feel like it's that bad. And then if you try to cross that with kids, like with a stroller or bikes, it's impossible to get to the other side. There's no crosswalk. Literally, you have to like go through the train crossing to get to the other side and use that little island as like a defense mechanism to hope no car gets to you. So, yeah. I
Yeah, but I think that sidewalks and pedestrian tra pedestrian crossings and safety of like truncated domes for like ADA accessibility for um people is super super important. So I think that would be good as well. Um I know they're doing that around town anyway, but I think
continuing to do that so that people are able to walk around and enjoy the downtown area. But I think that's everything. So thanks Mike. One thing you can do, Mike, is if you partic have a particular sidewalk that's troublesome, you can let the street department know. Yeah. Because they will
go out and put you on a list. Sure. Cuz I had that in front of my house and my neighbors with the roots from the trees and they come in and they cut it all out and they put in a new side. And I've talked to them before about my area and they've been great about it. I think there's just so many of them. like when
you're in the downtown area there's again I never noticed it until I had strollers and bikes and stuff and then I realized how bad they were because all of a sudden you're going over like all this stuff but yeah it's a great point Jim that we should be more diligent about reaching out to them. People have an issue they should definitely reach out because the town will respond. I
mean they're pretty responsive. I mean they have a list just like the streets how many streets are going to do this year but they can definitely get you on the list. Yeah, I agree. So sounds good. Tim, anything you want to add on these? Um, yeah. I mean, I think the I'm a
kermagin and I can't get over the fact that I like what are we what are we planning and prioritizing around? Is it like this talented as it is right now? We've recently had a lot of zoning changes. ADUs are in effect. I just watched the select board debates and everyone seems up in arms about zoning.
Like I assume it's going to keep changing. I kind of want to know like what the projection is. What do we expect in terms of how people will be commuting? Like a, you know, a a travel demand analysis, the actual underlying data that says this is really high traffic, really low traffic, congestion at this point versus that point. Like
it's hard for me to prioritize when it's like, yeah, I can tell you about my experience. Parking downtown's never been an issue for me, so that's not really high on my list, right? But if we change the zoning for other areas of town, then suddenly the priorities shift, right? So it's like kind of feels like a moving target and it's hard to s stand right now just looking at this piece of paper and say
what the highest priority is. Like I think what everything I've heard so far I agree with, right? Like pedestrian safety really important. Yes, pushing strollers on the sidewalks really stinks. Um but like that's my biased opinion based on my recency bias of pushing a stroller down the sidewalk,
right? It's hard to sort of foresee what the town's going to look like when Maple Square is now being people are moving in, right? Will that change traffic patterns? Will that change which are like the priority intersections based on incident rates? It's just kind of I need more data to say like here's our best bang for our buck. And I'd also
highlight that we have this complete streets plan that's now five years old. It doesn't sound like we actually did anything. We tried to tried to but did we did we submitted several projects. We have this uh where is it? The parking study from 2015 sounds like
we didn't implement anything. Well, I don't know if it was necessarily an implementation thing. I think it was just sort of like a snapshot. I don't know if it was I I don't believe I don't have it memorized, but I don't believe at the time before implementing the study's recommendations, but it's a 10-year-old study. So, we haven't
implemented them yet. I don't know yet. And I don't even know if there were recommendations like it was just like these are the you know, if these are the five public lots downtown, right? There's not like we should I don't believe I don't have it memorized. There might be a hey, we should do a giant parking garage. I don't have that
memorized, but I don't think it said something of that nature. It was just sort of like we have these thousand spots or better wayfinding that sort of thing which can help alleviate there probably there probably was something of that nature which we are actually well yeah try to do that yeah I kind of see
like much like Jim how he wanted to kind of combine a few of these I kind of see different implementation choices right because like making the existing transportation information more easily accessible like we can do that right now even if it changes you'll have a medium to communicate that the parking communication of like what's a better
place you know giving people a map or something like that. We could do that right now. Those types of things I would prioritize because they're more actionable versus like which street should we be prioritizing or how should we change the zoning bylaws and what might that change in terms of travel demands. Like that feels like a much harder thing to plan for. Um I mean you
shouldn't let the perfect be the enemy of the good, but I kind of want to see a little bit more about like what data do we have? Okay. Uh, and and I know, you know, like what Jim said, downtown's been such a focal point and there's clearly a lot for us to digest in terms of what might change as development
comes in, but like Endeott Street, Liberty Tree, like we have to do something about that. Um, I know we've talked a lot about reszoning that and like I would prioritize that and then figure out if that's going to be our transportation hub, which I almost spit out my coffee when I saw Simon Property Group on here, right? Like, hey, we'll
get to them tonight. Don't worry. Oh, good. Yeah. Extra agenda item. Yeah, it just feels like we need that. Again, I keep harping on master plan, but like we need the unified vision of what we're planning for to really make decisions about prioritization. Well, I think the the
previous, you know, traffic uh the transportation needs the parking the study on that dealt with and was usable and used by further traffic studies and used by uh the board looking at developments
that came in the future like the downtown developments because we know that okay if we do some increased building on Elm Street or Maple Street or this street or that we've got the public lots so we can tie into those public lots. So that was helpful in that
sense to identify those. I assume it informed the zoning the you know sort of the zoning changes that were that were ultimately enacted like in 2020. Yep. Yeah. Y you know I wouldn't say Tim I guess I wouldn't say that all of your questions are sort of unknowns right in terms of even just the downtown parking.
we know that there will be, you know, a decent or, you know, amount of new development downtown, right? So, that's not sort of an, you know, with the zoning and just what's happened in the past two years. So I know uh right
there's lots of unknowns clearly but some things I think we sort of you know there is information that we we can sort of make educated kind of guesses or you know hypothesis about what would
transpire right I'm just all more data this is all a moving target so for yeah and I totally get that we like I said don't let the perfect be the enemy but for example we're talking about like paying for parking downtown. I saw that as one of maybe the the things. Oh, was that in here? Just as a thing to consider. No one's recommending it, but
it wasn't in here. Yeah, I thought so. Yeah. Oh, okay. It was like, you know, traffic mitigation strategies such as, right? Like, it wasn't saying you should absolutely do that. Sure. But like something like that, right? Is like a big I'd like to know the what if analysis. What's the congestion if we don't do it? Hard to find parking. If we
do do it, what do they think? Right. Like I would want to see more empirical analyses about that. And I don't think that um anything even with this document or as this moves forward is sort of making any real kind of like those type of level like highle policy you know
decisions. It's sort of like should we continue should we is that something that we should right you know consider right or look further into to evaluate right so um but point taken that's it for me that wasn't really I
didn't answer your question about which to prioritize I guess where I sit that's that's I said prioritize easily actionable things that we have the information to act on right now so number two it seems like would be for you two in some parts of four, right?
Which which was uh create a simple saying map, right? Like communicating the resources and how to navigate parking that we already have, right? Like that's something we can do right now. So sort of to summarize where you sit, things that are e lack of a better
term, easy or actionable in implementable implementable if that's a word. Yep. It might be would be high on your list, which is fine. Yes. Can we get a summer intern to do some of that? I mean, it seems to me a lot of that stuff, like Tim said, it's something
that it doesn't cost a lot of money. You get someone that part-time staff person or summer intern or someone could could look into doing some of that. I don't know if we have When you say that, Jim, I'm sorry. What is doing the like the the outreach to the community saying, "Okay, here are the programs here."
Yeah. I mean, even just even the really, you know, that that stuff doesn't it's not huge. even this like I thought the number two particularly even just having a website just listing all these things I was it you know you think it's like simple or easy or whatever but I it's
like that's a great idea that I even myself never really thought about I think we got to go for we got to get the money that too someone's giving you a half million dollars we got to go for the prize yeah I think that's one of the we tried to we tried to in 2019 well I think that's one of the things in terms of but we could but the thing is we
could we could do all of these things. It's not like we're not they're not mutually exclusive, right? Mhm. Yeah. But we don't have to. You could just say here's our priority. Here's our here's our application. We want combination of these things and
here's how we're going to spend your 500 grand. We're going to do this, this, or this. Why does it all have to be kind of under the just the construction funding? I mean, can you I guess it depends on the criteria for the complete streets
grant process. So, is does it, you know, can it does it have to in does this 500,000 only include anything that's under one or can some of the recommendations from two or four get kind of maybe beef up the application? So, it's a so so we're more likely to
get closer to the 500,000 versus 40,000. I one is um I think the 500 is generally for re like real infrastructure not not plans if that makes sense. So it probably you probably couldn't use that for the parking study. Um and you
probably couldn't do Yeah, it isn't it for construction? Yes, it's for like construction physical tangible where the other things are more but I guess so it's for local construction. We can't put an MBTA bus stop in because
that would be within the purview of the state, would it not? We could put a bus shelter or something of that. potential but that that we are we are we I mean there's potential that might be happening but okay well I mean again if the state's paying for it through the
MBTA we don't want to use the same money for something like we want to just use the local money for because there's a fine line you got to maneuver yes between the MBTA and other you know
so um sort Tim sort of alluded to it I guess where I sit if there was a little bit more um if you is it possible to do give me a little more feedback about
um the hierarchy of these or Okay. Yeah, I can give a little just in terms of hierarchy and I think so I think we got from Tim I think he said two and four right in terms of Yeah, I'm kind of with Jim. One, two, and four. One, two, and four. Okay. Um I I'm sort of the when I
was looking at these, you know, I mean my my hierarchy was number one was first of all like in terms of the pedestrian protect particularly pedestrian piece for the reasons that was discussed as well you know the for the young people
as well as also speaking with a a mom who uses a walker you know that's something uh as you're you know people who are older who need to use a walker to get around I mean I think that the sidewalks are very Um that's important as well for people to be able to. So definitely number one I was that was
sort of number one in my list. Number two struck me as you know that was um as number uh uh as number two in my book as well. And then next the last priority for me was um was three uh I'm sorry was
was I'm sorry was uh was four policy recommendation four. So the downtown um parking management plan was your would was your like for it would like so is this the numbers that they're list how they're listed would be your rank would you be no oh no my my ranking was in
terms of priority was recommendation one right two y four yeah okay okay and then recommendation three right that was one I was again I'm a little bit um and again I was looking at this more as like
potentially as as as whether this was focused on downtown and I don't even think now I could be completely wrong but that's how I and you don't even get there I don't see you even get there in terms of zoning issues with respect to parking unless and until you you you see how things have shaken out with Maple you with Maple Square that's why I sort
of think it was not I think now Brian tomorrow is Josh why did you say that the meeting but I don't think that I don't believe that that's referring to I think it's referring to everything not downtown right so so so in my book the that recommendation three would have been is is would be last on the on the
priority list. So that seems like a sort of there seems to be a vein throughout the group without me if I'm not being accurate that but number one I would say I I'm I'm I'm cool with like doing the sort of the one 124 approach. But again
if it was so long as my the but if the $500,000 if it's cleaner to do it as one Yeah. to get the No, it's not. We could do all, we could do none. It was just sort of us sort of getting a general feeling. And I think I'm starting to get
the feeling right that that one, two, and four are sort of higher than three, but don't want to speak for the group. Dean, do you have any? Yeah. How much does it cost to update the complete streets prioritization plan? I think it's just a
it's just a staff. It's just time. It's just us and engineering and whoever else wants to be involved at this town staff level to be involved with the process. But I would envision it would be planning and engineering staff and maybe someone else. But it just it would just
be us meeting a couple times or several times and just creating doing the application whatever that means. Some you know us and maybe we would work with a consultant potentially. Um but uh you know so would it be worth it to just
have like a standing every five years repeatedly do that so that we can potentially get access to 500,000 in construction funding? Yes. Okay. Right. Um anything further? I know we have uh I think we have it's not a
public hearing but we do have members of the audience here if they have any um you know if they have any questions or comments with respect to the the transportation community needs assistance. I think I see Mr. Brad Street's hand up or unless you were just okay I'm tired. If you want to go to the
podium and it's frozen. Sorry. Bill Brad Street town meeting member precinct one. Uh I brought up a parking garage then square several times. It wasn't received very well but I brought it up. My question was, you're you're talking about
$500,000 that can be spent for physical improvements to the roads or whatever. Is that discretionary money? Can some of that be spent on education? Because you mentioned the intersection out here. As
bad as it is, I don't think a lot of people understand how they're supposed to approach that intersection. I don't believe that social engineering is part of is part of the uh driver's ed. Oh, you mean education as a as a you
know drivers. They should obviously not for myself but there are people who are licensed to operate motor vehicles in the state who shouldn't be behind a wheel driving a vehicle. Mhm. Having said that, some of the people
don't understand when they come up to that intersection how they're supposed to get through safely without driving into somebody else who wants to do the same thing. That's the educational part I was talking to as opposed to improving
the sidewalks which need them. But it was can is that money can it some of it be spent on educational purposes? No. That was my question. No, I believe that it's uh it's just it's physical in it's physical tangible like um construction
of you know uh you know the sidewalk or road or ADA ramps. It's not something like uh ed doesn't have an educational component. Is there grant money out there that can
be used for educational purposes? As far as the the streets, I don't know if there's a I think that's driver's ed that you're referring to, but I don't I don't know. When you mean educational purposes, are you talking about like, you know, I remember when I was in in
living in DC, I got uh I got a a warning ticket for jaywalking and they gave me they gave me a little card that told me about traffic about walking against the light. We have working light supposedly working lights in the center of town. I can't
tell you, you probably seen it too. How many people uh don't understand that the light is there for their safety. They don't understand that on what that light is button is pressed the lights have to go through a cycle. They don't automatically come on. And if you drive
through the square, there's a crosswalk here, there's crosswalk there. But I want to go there. So I just walk across the square. To me that's education. Okay. U safety. Yeah. I think it's worth Josh I think maybe just in terms of that
it may be worth if you can maybe check with with staff and maybe if there is any funds available for education like in terms of okay remedial driver ed. I not saying that but I'm just saying if there's
anything for you know I am not aware of a program of that nature but we could look into it. Yeah. Just that the question's been asked. I I would just remedial driving would be appropriate. Thank you. All right. Very good. Yes,
please go ahead. Please introduce yourself for the record. Yeah. Lois McKenzie, uh, precinct 3, town meeting member. I just want to say I I agree with Mike. um more than we putting money into bike lanes in
town. Number one, downtown's not wide enough for him, but beyond that in Brian Zelli stood here the other night and said that most people want a walking town. Oh yeah. I like him. I
don't have my kids. I have grandchildren pushing around. The sidewalks are horrible. I know Jim says you can have your sidewalks put on a a list. You'd have to repair the entire street of River Street to even make it walkable.
Um, so that's one priority that I think everybody in town that wants to respond to the surveys responding in that way. So, we need to listen to the people of the town more than some of these studies
that we're paying a lot of money for. I wonder somehow they how they come to their conclusions. Um, and you know, the transportation that everybody wants, it's great. But I don't know if anybody realizes the Salem Clipper, you can go
anywhere for $2, but guess what? The town pays $8 for every ride that goes out of this town. So the taxpayers are paying the additional money for the people to take the clipper for $2.
So that's all. Okay. Thank you. Good evening. Thank you for doing what you do. Bill McKenzie, precinct three, just voted in. Congratulations. the uh complete street. That to me sounds like a
complete street. Sidewalks, burm, trees, drainage. Is that the definition of a complete street? I mean, it can be. There's different kind of transsects of a you know, it just it depends on, you know, the environment. Uh, it could have
um it could have sidewalk on one side, it could have sidewalk on both sides, it could have a bike lane, it could have, you know, there's there's lots of different varieties um of what it could be. You know, we just what you know, all the conversation
you hear complete street I to me a complete street is what I just mentioned and we do have numbers of streets in Davis. It needs to be a complete street. Adam Street nightmare. But that's my opinion. Also
to get back on the public safety and crosswalks and I know we got sort of up against the wall with the state on Route 35, Purchase Street, High Street there. But when you press that button across, nobody knows it's a light that
you're gonna it's you're going to get killed there. It should be a light like in Dev Square. it stops everybody and we could all cross nicely. And with the new developing that's going to be going on, I can see Walgreens going real soon and
that's going to be major there. And then, you know, we just need to look at that type of thing. I know we're up against the wall with the state because of the way they control the lights there, but we should look into that. Very dangerous. Okay. Thank you. Thank you. Okay. Very good. Thank you. All
right. Coming back to the board. Um any other any other questions at all or any other comments with respect to this? So Josh, do you have enough information? I think so. Public stuff later. Excuse me. Other public comments other comments later? No, we don't. Not on the agenda. If you have a question about the
the transportation um the transportation needs assessment be willing to I I just I need to make this a clear clarity point for you. If you'd like to get to the please go to this podium, please introduce yourself and Thank you. Karen Nastik um 15 Lockxley Road. Um, I
was I was at in the car watching some girls go across the street and I looked at the light to make sure I couldn't, you know, I wasn't missing the light change. And when I took the next picture, I said, "Where did the girls go?" I couldn't see them because they had
gone out of the light and into out of the light and into the shadow. Can you see them from there? No. Right. That's my point. See, they're right here. My eyes aren't that good. They're right here. Okay.
So, if if now this is this is middle of the day, if you if you start putting up buildings around them, this is the it's going to be really hard to see people. That's my point. I was so I was looking I thought they turned around and didn't
continue across the street and they're right in front of me, right? Because the light and the dark. Okay. Got it. Thank you. So, you're concerned about pedestrian safety? I am. Okay. Thank you. Okay. Josh, anything further that um
that you need from us with respect to this and sort of where do we go from here? Yeah. No. Um because I know there was some follow-up things that that Tim had asked about in terms of sort of sort of the background information. Yeah. Right. Especially with respect to number one, right? But I think that we've we've
presented sort of what our Yeah. our priorities are in terms of what Yeah. Seems like there's definitely a strong, you know, the one, two, and four are definitely high. Um, certainly. Yeah, I think like the pedestrian such as was kind of by us and
by discussed by the by the by the residents as well. It seems like a very like there's lots of very I said terms of hierarchy just anything sort of anything that like downtown andor pedestrian focused seems to be kind of raised. So, I think
um I think what from the discussion tonight, I could summarize it and circle back with Brian and um Sarah and kind of have a conversation. Maybe we could put this as an agenda item for a follow-up. Yeah. No. Um we'll definitely um just
need to talk with Brian and Sarah like what we want to do for like the next steps. Certainly um um the next draft or um you know we we'll certainly I'd like to have this on have this on the agenda for a future meeting just just to sort of close up
some of the Oh yeah, for sure. For sure. Yeah. No, we weren't going to um and maybe as Tim kind of alluded to, maybe it makes sense the next time to have the whole kind of chapter like together. Sure. So, um but yeah, certainly um this
is not uh and not final. It was just um uh we just want to have a discussion um but we certainly the board will have an opportunity to see kind of the next iteration. Sure. For sure. Okay. Sounds good. Thank you. Okay. Um so anything
further on transportation needs assessment before we move on to the next agenda item? I think the only thing I would add is just to reiterate that I think the priorit prioritization that I expressed today is like what I think we should act on right now. But I don't want to overlook that recommendation
three and just the sort of anticipated changes that might be coming to zoning and changes to density that are coming from existing laws. Like I think there's a bigger question about understanding the projection of where the town's headed to help us with these decisions. So, it's kind of like still a very high
priority even though it's a kind of bigger question. Yeah, I think it's a bigger question and we're not we're not quite there yet, I think, in terms of having the information, but I think it's something that we need to, you know, sort of keep on the horizon. Exactly. I mean, yeah, we w we weren't going to cross unless tonight there was
something on here that was like, why would we ever consider doing that or that was not appropriate or whatever. I everything could be will be included. It was just All right. So, more to Good more to more to come then. That's right. Mr. Mr. Brad Street, did you have something before we move on to the next item?
Again, Bill Brad town meeting member precinct one. One reference is made to studies and I think the reference was made to a study made 10 years ago. That's too far. It has to be to my
way of thinking. It should be taken not three years. certainly not relying on 10year-old information to make a present day decision. Yeah. And I think that was one of the recommendations at least for the priority recommendation for about the
parking management plan was that the town should update before implementing the recommendations should update the parking utilization analysis. So we'll have accurate current data to inform the decision-making. Right. And by current that would be open to your interpretation. mine would be no more
than three years and certainly even less than that if you're going to make a decision about proven in one aspect how fresh or how new is the information you're going to be relying on. Yeah, I think there was a concern also for Maple Square that sort of see how things go once Maple
Square is is is rented and then sort of see where things are from there. So, thank you again. Thank you. All right. All right. Next um next agenda item here. Um and again we'll probably see we'll we'll see this again but thanks
for the for the comments and discussion about it. Sure. Um and next item here I think we have minutes from this is our meeting. I believe this was the March 25th meeting. I think this is one actually that we had
uh I believe both if I'm not mistaken I believe both Tim and Mike were not that's right at the meeting. Right. That's right. Okay. So we do have if have if people had the opportunity to review the the minutes from the uh from the
meeting. Move to accept the minutes as written. Okay. Second. Very motion's been made by uh by Jim. Second by Jean to approve the minutes as as written uh from March 25th, 2025. Any discussion on the motion
hearing? None. All in favor, please say I. I. I. Any opposed? Any abstensions. Oh, abstain. State. Okay. Two abstensions. Okay. Very good. But the but the minutes have passed. Thank you.
All right. So, that's it for our agenda here. I do notice Josh that we have some there are some additional materials you uh you gave us here in terms of a Liberty Tree Mall paving paving update. Yeah, there was just a comment our last meeting just um just wanted the group
wanted an update on what's going on in terms of paving at the Please tell. So the document that Lou has the plan um I guess I can show the group actually because we have show on screen too that we have technology to do that. So let's do that.
Um, where are we at? Okay. Yeah. So, it looks like this is a chart that is from from May. Yep. Just got it from Sim. So, just got it from Simon. Yep. So, just for a reference. So,
and for the mall is a the mall road is a private road. So, areas A, B, and C on this plan were repaved in fall of 2024. Mhm. And you
said A, B, C. A, B, and C. Okay. Um, and I was recently told or last week or the other day, I was told that areas D and E, so the area of Commonwealth have
um, closest to Enderut Street and Independence Way, the entrance, the main entrance and exit on Endicottut Street are planned or scheduled scheduled to be paved um, in the next couple weeks. Josh, can you just confirm when you say repaved, are we talking patched or are
we talking ripped up and repaved? I think the second, not not So, the ones that were done in the fall of 2024 were ripped up and repaved. I believe that the I don't know the technical terms. Um, but it was it's they don't feel new to me, but Jim, I know you go in that area more than I do. They're not They
weren't patched. It wasn't No, there was a small section from Dicks. The ones that are there, A, B, and C, are those new? A A is new. Okay. Yeah, it's new Logan Express. Um B. Well, no. Logan Express is up in the
corner further up the top. Yeah, they did Logan Express. This is in front of Dick Sporting. No, A is new, right? I don't know about B if they've done B yet or C. I don't go that way to I don't think they've done B or C yet or D yet. That's what was communicated to me.
Yeah, I don't know if they've been done yet cuz I'm fairly certain they have. But maybe it's looks bigger on there. You think they were done as in ripped up? Yeah, like Yeah, it's it wasn't a big area. Yeah, it wasn't a big area, right? So, oh, is it on the sheet?
Sorry, Jean. What? What you saying? It seems like it's a mill and overlay because they gave a section of of existing and proposed and okay, it says partial depth repair and mil to depth specified, which is usually pretty good indication. We just don't know if that's
for everywhere, right? Or like did they do that in all those five areas? I was told her now this is just me being messenger I guess at this moment that AB and C was done in this partial depth. I don't know the
technical construction term if it's mill and overlay but it's not it's above just patching a hole. It's more significant than that. I think if they did this in all of those areas that would be I would
I just haven't drove over in that the C and D section. So I just didn't know if anyone knew if that was actually I could I could I could try and clarify B and C but I was told that B and C were done. Yeah. Okay. Yeah. Thank you. But we could go I could go further on that. But
the idea or the scheduled what's going to happen in the next week or so is that partial depth repair not above you know more than just patching holes for area D and area E. Got it. And
that's sort of in conjunction also with the I know area E I guess with the Chick-fil-A. Um but it's not really like a Yeah. Right. That's that right. It's like, you know, right not going there for a little while, but Right. Yeah. And
actually that area E was actually more of an area than I was actually originally told like a couple weeks ago to be honest. Like the area not on the entrance exit, but the the area shaded in green along the main Independence Way. Okay. Where on Federal Street does
it become a town road? Is the entire Federal Street private or does it end at the location they stopped and then it becomes a town road? Do you know? I think it might be I remember talking to Steve King. Would you know that with the I think it might be street. I think it might be all private, but I Everything's private.
Road up all the way to the lights is private, I believe. So, yeah, it's all the ring roads. Everything's private. It's going by um Yeah. Okay. That was my intuition, too. I thought Got it. Okay. Um if you can find out a little more just just to find a little more of the
on B and C. Yeah. And just give us a And and hopefully at our next meeting, we'll have a little more. Sure. you know, we'll be able to maybe talk about it in the past tense. Sure. And then, um, they also are I know Jim brought up some of the lights weren't working. Um, and I brought that up to them and they said
that they will be reviewing the lights also. So, right. Hopefully. Yep. When did you say they're doing D&? Um, they said in an email. Oh, on May 6th. Um, DNA are scheduled to repair over the
course of the next two weeks. Okay. So May of 2025. Okay. Okay. Great. Which is probably interesting timing with the whole reinter with the whole paving of that whole entire main intersection associated with the chalet court and 152
Ender Street. So there's a lot of Yeah. paving happening. Okay. Got it. Good. All right. Any other questions about uh paving? All right. And we'll move on. Uh I guess um anything what's uh what's
what's at our next our next meeting is the 27th uh day after Labor Day. I mean Memorial Day rather. Don't get ahead of myself here. Yep. Summer Memorial Day. I believe that there will be there it's not officially been submitted but I believe that there will be an ANR um
proven not required application. Um and then the other application is a um it's a special permanent and site plan application for 83 Elm Street and Essex
Street the old Deanverse Pharmacy building. Um, currently there's a dentist office and it was a Bank of America before COVID and there's an application for it's very similar to what we've been seeing downtown a mixeduse development use you know using
the existing building above it um with 16art 16 residential units 16 16 okay um so that will be the two items on our
next meeting on May 27th here. Okay. Okay. Very good. Mr. Brad Street, did you have a question before we finish? Just a question. Does they turn that into housing? The
corner of Essex and Elm was a parking lot in back there that should northern sufficient for parking for the housing units. the park that existing part that existing parking lot is part of is a
component of the the the project. Okay. All right. Okay. Very good. Anything further, Josh, that would So, we have those two items that'll be an ANR and then this um uh and Elm Street. That's right. Okay. Very good. Anything further
from members of the of the board? I will be on a plane during the next one, so I won't be there. But I did want to mention two items I was hoping maybe we could speak about at a future meeting. Okay. Related to two things we talked about today. Yeah. One is um I'd like us
to consider a resolution to formally request from the town of Beverly Planning Board to reconsider opening county way for that development on Tras Lane. Um, I just want more information about why that's not open because I think that
has a really big impact on Danvers and we're sort of taking as face value that that's how it has to be and I'd like a formal explanation as to why. I don't know if it would be, not to interrupt, I don't know if it would be a Beverly planning board as she alluded to. I think it's city of Beverly leadership,
but um, just for information, whoever needs to receive it. So it would be So you requested that an item be placed on the on the agenda to address. So it would be an item for our our board, but we would be asking the city of Beverly
and then to do what? Making a request to open county way for access to tr the tran development or an explanation for why the city's not in favor of it. Yep. Okay. Okay. Not sure. Yeah. Okay.
There's Okay. Let's see what I can do about that. Okay. The other one is um I'd like to consider a a study committee for a plan for getting our master plan together. I know that we're putting the pieces together, but I just it's a big
task. I think it's something we need. I think, you know, people have been talking about zoning so much. Yeah. It just we need a plan. We we can't keep making decisions based on our personal preferences or opinions. And that is something I think is at the discretion of the board to create uh
excuse me, the chair to create study committees. Okay. I appreciate your thoughts and I will take it into consideration. Great. Okay. Very good. Anything further? Well, the only comment on that I mean I've
been on those those committees and I think a lot of times what happens is the it actually generates from the town manager andor selectman and it comprises the planning board, the zoning board and
um staff and perhaps other boards. So I've been on probably half dozen of those over the years. Mhm. So, so it would not just be necessarily our our ball game, but it's something that would involve other, you know, the other
Yeah. Well, it'd be great to meet the town manager. I haven't met her yet. And maybe she could come to a meeting, you know. Okay. Um, luckily for us, I do believe that she has a she has a community development planning background, so
that I think that would be an ally for us. Yeah. Good. Okay. Thanks for Tim for those. But you said you you will not be present at the next at the next meeting. I think I land at like 6:30. So maybe I make it but probably not. But where we
set you will Yeah, we should move. You will not be uh available. Yeah. So Okay. We could get a police escort. Yeah. Yeah. Exactly. I could take the town. Are you landing here? You're landing here at 6:30 that you're saying or No, no. Logan. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. I
could take a private jet to Beverly airport and then get over here quickly. Why not? Maybe if you're a little lategan up. I'm not going to say. Okay. Anything? Um Oh, Mr. Brad Street. Yes. It is. It's still there at at Hunt.
Sure. I am not sure about that. It's a good idea. I got a friend that has a helicopter. Maybe we could Yeah, we do have We do have Logan Express as well. What's our budget? What's our petty cash budget?
We got to use it up by the end of the fiscal year. Anything further? Anyone else from the next meeting? So, so Tim, in terms of your your your questions, in terms of suggestions and also in terms of having a discussion on some of these other items, I imagine that if we um you know, I'll consider it if we indeed put
them on the on the agenda, it would probably be requested that it be not the next meeting. Yeah, please. Oh, yes, Mr. McKenzie. I just want to mention Memorial Day is 26 this year. 26th of May. And you're
all welcome to watch the parade and come to the service that we're going to have at the junior high school. Thank you. I'd appreciate it. Awesome. Thank you very much for that announcement. That's very good. Thank you. Okay. Very good. Anybody else? All
right. Entertain a motion to adjurnn. Make a motion we adjourn. Is there a second? Second. Okay. Second. It's moved and seconded. Any discussion? All in favor, please say I. I. I. Any oppose? None.