TOWN OF WALPOLE

MEETING OF THE BOARD OF SELECTMEN

PUBLIC HEARING

JULY 20, 2006

Selectmen Present:            Whitney Aldrich, Charles Miller, Sheldon Sawyer

Whitney Aldrich called the Public Hearing to order at 7:00 P.M. in the North Walpole Elementary School.  Barbara O’Brien and Patrick Kiniry, North Walpole Board of Commissioners, were present.  

The North Walpole Board of Commissioners made a proposal to the Board of Selectmen to change Center Street to a one-way street.  The purpose of this Public Hearing is to discuss the proposed change in traffic on Center Street in North Walpole.  Jim Terrell distributed and explained copies of a sketch on how the traffic would flow if this proposal is approved (a copy is attached for the record).  At the intersection of Vine and Center Streets it is blind in both directions; this change would eliminate that.  Locations for “Stop Signs” are also indicated.  Funding for the signs will come out of the Highway budget.  A resident questioned if parking is going to be maintained like it is now on Center Street.  Mr. Terrell responded that he was not going to change the parking just the direction of the traffic.  Mrs. O’Brien explained that each apartment is supposed to have two parking spaces per apartment on their property but there is one building on the end that doesn’t have that many so it is a problem.  There was discussion relative to the Southwestern Community Services apartment building; the driveway is tarred but the question came up as to whether it is a driveway or a fire lane.  When originally renovated it was called a fire lane.  North Walpole Fire Chief Ed Hasselman stated that it is a fire lane but is used for other purposes.  The North Walpole Commissioners agreed to follow-up on this. 

Mrs. O’Brien asked Jim Terrell that when this new road is done that arrows be put along Main Street so cars will not park there; from Bernie Karnacewicz’s fence up.  People wanted that to be an open area because of the traffic and the kids crossing over.  Mr. Sawyer noted that at the present time Mr. Terrell was thinking of putting stones there but, in the future, maybe a fence or some trees would be aesthetically nice but they would have to be budgeted.      

Mrs. Knowles questioned the time table.  Mr. Terrell hopes to have it done before winter; maybe early September. 

There being no other public comment, Mr. Aldrich closed the Public Hearing at 7:22 P.M.  There were approximately eighteen people in attendance.

Respectfully submitted,