HomeMy WebLinkAbout2013-02-12 Infrastructure Committee Minutes
Infrastructure Committee
February 12, 2013
ATTENDEES
Councilors:
Benjamin Sprague James Gallant Pauline Civiello
Charles Longo David Neally Patricia Blanchette
Joseph Baldacci
Staff:
Arthur Morgan, Director Public Cathy Conlow, City Manager Bradley Moore,
Services Superintendent WWTP
Dana Wardwell, Public Works
Director
Guests:
Meeting convened approximately 5:15 p.m.
CONSENT AGENDA
1. Sewer Abatement Request: 191 French Street, Account #14018A01
Councilor Baldacci moved and it was seconded, with no further discussion.
Vote: Unanimous Approval
AGENDA
2. McKinley Street One-Way
Art explained this was a street on the east side of Bangor with a thirty-two foot right-of way and a
pavement width of seventeen feet. The street was two-way traffic and when traveling two cars could not
pass at the same time. The City was approached about changing this to a one-way street due to public
safety concerns and the inability for two cars to pass. A public hearing was held. Peter Staples and
Mary Brooks attending this evening also attended the public hearing and were supportive of the change.
City Engineer, Art Morgan recommended McKinley Street be changed to a one-way street.
Councilor Sprague commented that this was long overdue as that was a dangerous area trying to turn at
the Center Street location.
Councilor Sprague moved and Councilor Baldacci seconded, with no further discussion.
Vote: Unanimous Approval
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3. Discontinuance: Request the City Engineer Begin the Process of Discontinuance of a Portion of
North Bangor Road, Also Known as Old Bangor Road or Old North Broadway
Art explained at one time in 1877 this was the Broadway right-of-way. In 1953 the State re-routed
Route 15 leaving North Bangor Road in the hands of the City. The triangular portion in front of Six
Mile Falls Store (indicated on the attached map) was the area intended to be discontinued. Gas tanks
were sited on this portion of right-of-way in the 1950s, when re-routing Route 15. The owners had
contacted the City and asked if that portion could be discontinued so they could make continued
improvements to their property. City Engineer, Art Morgan recommended they move forward with the
process.
Jeff Ingles and his wife Melissa were in attendance and informed the Committee of their intent to
purchase the store and make improvements. But indicated there was a problem with the boundary lines
and that they did not want to purchase the property if it they could not resell.
Councilor Baldacci asked Art if this would resolve the issue. Art stated it would go towards resolving
the issue and started to explain the process to discontinue.
Councilor Baldacci asked if there would be any adverse impact, to which Art stated there would not be.
Councilor Baldacci moved and it was seconded.
Councilor Blanchette asked Art about the number of residents on the old road and how they would exit;
which Art noted there were six or seven residents and explained the current entrance/egress point would
to be retained.
Councilor Gallant and Councilor Blanchette both noted their pleasure with improvement to this location.
It was moved and seconded.
Vote: Unanimous Approval
4. Unscheduled Topic:
Councilor Longo was approached by a citizen regarding the box culvert area between the areas of
Eastern Maine Technical College (EMTC) and the Bangor Mall area and asked Art to explain the
current status and future pedestrian travel considerations.
Art explained this culvert was placed from the area of Staples to the Bangor Hydro Substation. It had
been an area of assaults, vandalism, and robbery. EMTC and Bangor Mall contacted the City and a
combined approached was made with the Maine Department of Transportation to close off this area, to
which they did. It is proposed that there would be expanded access with a DOT pedestrian walkway
over the I-95 overpass.
No action necessary: public informational briefing.
The Public Portion of the Meeting was adjourned at approximately 5:27 p.m., and moved into the
Executive Session.
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