HomeMy WebLinkAbout2022-10-04 Infrastructure Committee Minutes1
Infrastructure Committee Minutes
October 4, 2022
ATTENDEES
Councilors: Gretchen Shaefer, Dina Yacoubagha, Jonathan Sprague, Rick Fournier, Clare Davitt,
Joseph Leonard
Staff: John Theriault, Amanda Smith, Debbie Laurie
AGENDA
1. WWTP: Department of Water Quality PFAS Update
Amanda Smith outlined measures EPA and DEP were taking in advance of LD1911 for
the preventing further contamination of soils and waters. And, provided an overview
and details of EPA and DEP analysis of chemical samples of the outgoing treated water
samples from the Waste Water Treatment Plant.
The City, in preparation, will gather data and test what is going into the plant and reach
out into residential areas, then move to commercial & industrial areas.
There were Council and Staff questions, comments, and responses regarding PFAS,
data, and requirements and public awareness.
Vote: No vote, informational only.
2. Fifteenth Street/Union Street Demonstration Project Update
John Theriault outlined his letter to the residents:
The City of Bangor's Engineering Department conducted a demonstration project at the
intersection of Union Street and Fifteenth to determine the traffic impacts associated
with potential changes to access at the intersection. Beginning on August 11, 2022
through September 12, 2022, traffic barrels were placed on Union Street such that
motorists could only make right turn movements from the Fifteenth Street approaches to
Union Street. A conceptual plan of the permanent raised concrete island has been
included with letter.
The goal of the demonstration project was to gain a better understanding of future traffic
patterns should a raised concrete island be installed to prohibit left-turn and through
movements from Fifteenth Street onto Union Street. This turn restriction is an attempt to
reduce the number of angle crashes involving left turning motorists at this location.
As discussed in a previous letter, the Engineering Department reviewed the three-year
crash data from the Maine Department of Transportation that showed that the
intersection is classified as a high crash location with eight crashes occurring in a three-
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year period. The majority of these crashes {5) involved motorists making a left turn in or
out of Fifteenth Street.
The Engineering Department conducted before and after traffic counts at the
intersections of Fifteenth Street/Union Street and Beecher Park/Union Street to have
actual traffic data on the impacts resulting from the change in access at the intersection.
Figure 1 accompanying this letter depicts before and after traffic volumes during the
weekday morning Peak Hour and Figure 2 shows the traffic volumes during the
weekday evening Peak Hour.
The Engineering Department also conducted a speed study on Beecher Park during the
demonstration project because of concerns expressed by the residents of the
neighborhood. A summary of the collected speed study has also been enclosed with
this letter.
The Engineering Department will be holding a public meeting on Wednesday October 5,
2022 at 7:00 PM in Council Chambers to discuss the results of the demonstration
project with members of the public. I encourage residents of this neighborhood to come
to the meeting and provide input.
Following the public meeting, the Engineering Department will summarize received
residents' comments and bring this topic for discussion at a future Infrastructure
Committee meeting with the Bangor City Council. At that point, the City Council will
determine if and how any restriction to access at the intersection of Fifteenth Street and
Union Street will be implemented.
There was further discussion regarding the above letter content above and alternative
measures such as right in, right out.
Vote: No vote, informational only.
3. Versant Easement at Pickering Square
John Theriault explained that Versant Power has been working with the City of Bangor
to provide electric service to the new Transit Center at Pickering Square. The work
includes sections of new underground conduits, transformer vault, and new transformer.
The new infrastructure is located north of the Transit Center and south of the existing
transformer vault identified as MH13.
In order to maintain and the new electrical service, Versant Power is requesting a 20
wide easement from the City of Bangor along the extent of the existing primary conduit
and 10 feet south of the new transformer vault. The easement language and Exhibit A
were included.
In addition to the easement, Versant Power is also requesting a Bill of Sale from the
City for the electrical equipment. It is typical for Versant Power to take ownership of
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electric service equipment from the City in order for them to maintain the equipment in
the most efficient manner.
Vote: Motion made and seconded, unanimous to move to Council.
4. Versant Easement at Public Works
John Theriault explained that Versant Power has been working with the City of Bangor's
Public Works Department to upgrade the electric service to their facility on Maine
Avenue. Versant is rerouting the electrical service and Public Works has requested that
Versant maintain the electric feed from Maine Avenue to the first utility pole on Public
Work's property.
In order to maintain the new electrical service, Versant Power is requesting an
easement from the City of Bangor along this portion of the service line. The location of
the service line to be maintained is depicted in the aerial image provided with the
memo.
Vote: Motion made and seconded, unanimous to move to Council.
Meeting Adjourned