[RP TownTalk] Transportation Study/Traffic Management

[Jonathan W. Ebbeler]

Hi Bruce -

 

To your points:

 

1)      Yes I agree and this is why I said precisely this in my previous
posting, at the last work session meeting, and every opportunity I have had
publically and privately.  I have always suggested that any and all traffic
studies be funded 100% by the Cafritz team.  The Council made this one of
the bulleted items that was passed in the last legislative meeting as our
initial position.   The town has always adopted the position that it is
required for the developer to reimburse the town for other ancillary
professional services such as legal fees and our contract planner as well.

2)      There are some fundamental legal issues with this position;  i.e.
they do not currently own the CSX 'air rights' nor the land on the east side
of the tracks (UMD does).  So push as we may there could never be a legal
agreement in place by the time we have to record our comments (no later than
11/28) for MNCPPC because their team lacks the legal sufficiency and
authority to sign off on such a demand from our town.  They cannot guarantee
or agree to conditions for land rights they do not currently possess.

3)      While a true statement when a train is present I would suggest that
statistically emergency services vehicles taking a connected Rhode Island
route vs. a EW/Route 1 passage (especially in the mornings or evenings)
would be quicker 90+% of the time over the course of any given month.  I
have spoken to emergency services personnel and they are certainly keen on
having that access built for their vehicles.

 

There are no 'back-door' deals being cut with the developer, the County, or
anyone else.  The town and Council has as much information as has been
presented via public record.  While not everyone attends every meeting, the
information is readily available via meeting minutes, resolutions,
Patch/Gazette articles etc.  In our letter we indicated a desire to have
space available to the town for a police substation (as has been readily
reported on by the Patch) and potentially a storage area for Public Works
Vehicles.  An expansion of the town to the degree the developer proposes
will necessitate a larger police force, public works department, and
equipment.  Other municipalities have indicated concern about the need for a
police substation on-site as a mandatory condition so as to not have the
property be an undue burden upon their public services.  I would hazard a
guess that the rumor started from this point given that a police substation
could be interpreted as 'town offices' since our officers are paid RP
employees.  I think this is quite different than any contemplation of moving
our town hall or something to that effect.  I hope this address your
question sufficiently.

 

 

Best,

Jonathan

 

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