Board Meeting Minutes October 1, 2003

Meeting Opened at 6:30 P.M.

Attendance taken. Minutes read and accepted.

Old Business
Discussion opened again about the traffic light at Frank Street. We will hear more about the City's position next month when Al Chwalek, Director of the Department of Public Works,  will attend our November meeting.  The current series of lights from Boston Road to Parker Street acts as an impediment to accelerated traffic and allows residents to exit their driveways. When the new Mass Pike exit is complete, there will be more traffic on Parker Street. If the proposed Rt. 290 is located in Wilbraham and not Parker Street it would be good for us but there is strong support from area business to have the exit leading into Parker
Street. The light on Frank Street was installed originally to anticipate a new traffic flow for the eventual development of a new highway. In anticipation of our visit from Al Chwalek, there was some discussion on asking for his opinion on a way to halt the DPW from plowing the excess snow in front of people's driveways.  Is there a new technique that DPW could use to be more considerate of residents who have just shoveled their driveway. A technique under development in Vermont is a molasses mixture that facilitates the melting process. The sugar acts as a similar agent but does not have the corrosive nature of salt.
 
Candidate Forum is now scheduled for October 9, 2003 at 7:30 p.m. instead of 7:00 PM at the Church in the Acres in Springfield, Massachusetts. Discussion on visual presentation of the table for the Participating mayoral candidates; former mayor Charles Ryan and State Senator
Linda Melconian.

More discussion and update about the Bridge at Ludow. Out to bid was the construction costs associated with raising the bridge of the train underpass on Parker Street near Verge Street.  Tractor-Trailers get stuck under the pass.  Springfield or the State of Massachusetts has appropriated the cost of expansion of the bridge and the eventual four-lane road that will pass under the bridge. The Railroad does not assume any of the associated cost. Chwalek had presented some information in the past and will be asked to address this expansion at the November meeting. The expansion calls for entering or exiting the Turnpike
after you come off the Ludow Bridge. The exit will provide for easy access to the Boston Road shopping district and provide an egress to the commercial and industrial areas in East Longmeadow (e.g. Milton Bradley and Shaker road).  At the present time there is a weight limitation and height restriction on Parker Street so trucks do not have direct access to the Mass Pike from East Longmeadow. The current restrictions act as a barrier against tractor-trailer noise and preserve the neighborhood for the residents who live on and off Parker Street. If the road was repaired or expanded, the speed of traffic will increase. While annoying,  the potholes do act as a cheap and friendly way to ward against increased speed.

There was a short discussion of the possibility of a Bullet Train stop in Springfield that was originally proposed by former Mayor Mary Hurley. As part of  an overall economic development plan, the stop would promote job opportunities outside of Springfield while at the same time increase the local property values.

New Business

Discussion of the new WNEC light.  The installation has been good for the students and its presence has eliminated the need for two pedestrian walks. However, the continuous halting of traffic each time the pedestrian walk button is pushed has caused some annoyance. Reminder to ask Mr. Chwlek if there is a timer that can be placed on the button to allow some traffic to flow during peak times.

The President extended an invitation by WNEC to the Board Members to attend their Open House dedication ceremony on October 16th at 3:00 PM.

The candidate debate is tonight and our President was invited to represent the 16 Acres Civic Association.
Claudio also received a notice from the Children's Study home that our members should know that the kids that are hanging around outside do not belong here. Students from the study home do not leave the house unless supervised.
There may be a possible interested buyer for the old Burger King on Parker Street.  The broker is asking for a better price.  In the meantime, the individual who owns the building will mow the lawn.

Last minute discussion on the structure of the upcoming candidate forum.  Clodo will open the debate and hand it over to Willis Schoof who will moderate and Richard Greenberg will hold up the time cards. Claudio circulated a letter to the members that outlined the debate format.


Mr. Greenberg sent the local media information about the debate and gave our e-mail address for anyone who is interested in asking a question of the candidates.  The debate announcement was also listed in the paper.  Standout sign holders will be allowed in front of building.

Minutes should be mailed to Mail@16ACRES.org

Finally, it was announced that we are no longer going to decorate the outside and whatever decorations are left in inventory is up for grabs.

Meeting adjourned 7:20 P.M.
Respectfully Submitted, Karen F. Lee, Secretary