ho_florence072412
DESIGN PUBLIC HEARING
JULY 24, 2012
AT
JFK MIDDLE SCHOOL
Community Room
100 Bridge Road
FLORENCE, MASSACHUSETTS
7:00 PM
FOR THE PROPOSED
NORTHAMPTON – Construction of a Park & Ride Facility
At the Veterans Administration Medical Center
Project No. 606375
Highway Division, Project Management
IN THE CITY OF NORTHAMPTON, MASSACHUSETTS
COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS
MASSACHUSETTS DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
HIGHWAY DIVISION
FRANCIS A. DEPAOLA, P.E.
HIGHWAY ADMINISTRATOR
THOMAS F. BRODERICK, P.E.
CHIEF ENGINEER
THE COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS
MASSACHUSETTS DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION – HIGHWAY DIVISION
NOTICE OF A PUBLIC HEARING
Project File No. 606375
A Design Public Hearing will be held by MassDOT to discuss the proposed Park and Ride Construction
project in Northampton, MA.
WHERE: JFK Middle School
Community Room
100 Bridge Road
Florence, MA 01062
WHEN: Tuesday July 24, 2012 @ 7:00 PM
PURPOSE: The purpose of this hearing is to provide the public with the opportunity to become fully
acquainted with the proposed Northampton Park & Ride Construction project. All views and comments
made at the hearing will be reviewed and considered to the maximum extent possible.
PROPOSAL: The proposed project consists of reconstructing an existing Veteran's Administration
Medical Center parking lot to accommodate park & ride use, signal upgrades at the VAMC
entrance drive on Route 9, signage, and upgrades to the existing parking lot lighting. The lot will
provide approximately 75 parking spaces (50 for park & ride users, 25 for the current VA users)
along with a bicycle rack, a bus stop with shelter, pedestrian walks and connection to the
Norwottuck/Mass Central Rail Trail. Shared accommodations for all users have been provided in
accordance with applicable guidelines.
A secure right-of-way is necessary for this project. Acquisitions in fee and permanent or temporary
easements may be required. The city of Northampton is responsible for acquiring all needed rights in
private or public lands. MassDOT’s policy concerning land acquisitions will be discussed at this hearing.
Written views received by MassDOT subsequent to the date of this notice and up to five (5) days prior to
the date of the hearing shall be displayed for public inspection and copying at the time and date listed
above. Plans will be on display one-half hour before the hearing begins, with an engineer in attendance to
answer questions regarding this project. A project handout will be made available on the MassDOT
website listed below.
Written statements and other exhibits in place of, or in addition to, oral statements made at the Public
Hearing regarding the proposed undertaking are to be submitted to Thomas F. Broderick, P.E., Chief
Engineer, MassDOT, 10 Park Plaza, Boston, MA 02116, Attention.: (Highway Division, Project File No.
606375). Such submissions will also be accepted at the hearing. Mailed statements and exhibits intended
for inclusion in the public hearing transcript must be postmarked within ten (10) business days of this
Public Hearing. Project inquiries may be emailed to dot.feedback.highway@state.ma.us
This location is accessible to people with disabilities. MassDOT provides reasonable accommodations
and/or language assistance free of charge upon request (including but not limited to interpreters in
American Sign Language and languages other than English, open or closed captioning for videos,
assistive listening devices and alternate material formats, such as audio tapes, Braille and large print), as
available. For accommodation or language assistance, please contact MassDOT’s Chief Diversity and
Civil Rights Officer by phone (617-973-7171), TTD/TTY (617-973-7715), fax (617-973-7311) or by
email (MassDOT.CivilRights@dot.state.ma.us). Requests should be made as soon as possible prior to the
meeting, and for more difficult to arrange services including sign-language, CART or language
translation or interpretation, requests should be made at least ten (10) business days before the meeting.
In case of inclement weather, hearing cancellation announcements will be posted on the internet at
http://www.massdot.state.ma.us/Highway/
FRANCIS A. DEPAOLA, P.E. THOMAS F. BRODERICK, P.E.
HIGHWAY ADMINISTRATOR CHIEF ENGINEER
Deval L. Patrick, Governor
TImothy P. Murray, Lt. Governor
Richard A. Davey, Secretary & CEO ~!'~lJ1.q~~!2Q[
Frank DePaola, Administrator • ~~ighWay Division
Dear Concerned Citizen:
The Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT) is co~nmitted
to building and maintaining a transportation infrastructure that is both safe
and efficient for all who use our roadways, bridges, bicycle facilities and
pedestrian paths, while maintaining the integrity of the environment.
As part of the design process for this project, we are conducting this public
hearing to explain the proposed improvements, listen to your comments and
answer any questions you may have. At the conclusion of the hearing,
MassDOT will review all of your comments and, where feasible, incorporate
them into the design of the project.
We recognize that road and bridge construction can create inconveniences
for the public. MassDOT places a great deal of emphasis on minimizing the
temporary disruptive effects of construction.
MassDOT encourages input from local communities and values your
opinions. Please be assured that we will undertake no project without
addressing the concerns of the community.
Sincerely,
Frank DePaola
Administrator, Highway Division
Ten Park Plaza, Suite 4160, Boston, MA 02116
Tel: 617-973-7000, TOO: 617-973-7306
Leading the Nation in Transportation Excellence www.mass.gov/massdot
WHAT IS A PUBLIC HEARING?
WHY A PUBLIC HEARING?
To provide an assured method whereby the Commonwealth of Massachusetts can furnish
to the public information concerning the State’s highway construction proposals, and to afford
every interested resident of the area an opportunity to be heard on any proposed project. At the
same time, the hearings afford the Commonwealth an additional opportunity to receive
information from local sources which would be of value to the State in making its final decisions
to what design should be advanced for development.
WHY NOT A VOTE ON HIGHWAY PLANS?
The hearings are not intended to be a popular referendum for the purpose of determining
the nature of a proposed improvement by a majority of those present. They do not relieve the
duly constituted officials of a State highway department of the necessity for making decisions in
State highway matters for which they are charged with full responsibility.
WHAT DOES A PUBLIC HEARING ACCOMPLISH?
It is designed to ensure the opportunity for, or the availability of, a forum to provide
factual information which is pertinent to the determination of the final alternative considered by
the state to best serve the public interest, and on which improvement projects are proposed to be
undertaken.
It is important that the people of the area express their views in regard to the proposal
being presented, so that views can be properly recorded in the minutes of the meeting. These
minutes will be carefully studied and taken into consideration in the determination of the final
design.
RIGHT OF WAY ISSUES
A secure right of way is necessary for this project. Temporary construction easements may be
required. Your municipality is responsible for acquiring all necessary rights in private or public
lands. If your property is affected, your rights are fully protected under law.
1. REASON FOR PROJECT
The completion of this project will serve local needs. The proposed enhancement
will also be in the interest of others in the greater community, and provide for the
public good.
2. WHO CONTACTS ME?
Representatives of the municipality have already contacted or will contact you.
They will explain the procedures used in acquiring any necessary rights in land.
3. WHAT ABOUT DONATIONS? WHAT IS A RIGHT OF ENTRY?
Town officials will often seek donations, of parcels, where permanent rights are
required. This procedure will minimize the acquisition cost for your community.
A Right of Entry is a document that is signed by the owner. It allows the
Contractor to perform certain types of work on the owner’s land. The work is
usually minor in nature and frequently consists of loaming/seeding behind
sidewalks, new driveway apron work, grading/sloping, and wetland protection,
etc. The rights granted are temporary in nature.
4. WHAT IS A FAIR PRICE FOR THE ACQUIRED PARCELS?
In the event that donations are not considered, or completed, every effort will be
made to ensure that an equitable value is awarded. Municipal and/or outside
appraisers will complete an appraisal. Consideration is given to the type of rights
needed, whether in fee, permanent or temporary easements. The appraisal will be
the basis for arriving at a fair price (for damages that result).
5. MUST I ACCEPT THE MUNICIPALITY OFFER?
No, if the owner feels that the offer is not fair the owner may petition the courts.
This action does not stop or delay the acquisition. The action must occur within 3
years. The owner(s) may be paid pro tanto (for the time being). The pro tanto
payment will not prejudice the court’s final decision.
NORTHAMPTON PARK AND RIDE FACILITY
NORTHAMPTON, MASSACHUSETTS
The proposed improvements will be displayed for public viewing this evening and will be discussed in
detail in order to provide as much information as possible to the citizens of Northampton. All opinions
will help to assist the City and the Commonwealth of Massachusetts during the next design phase. Your
participation and comments are greatly welcomed and appreciated.
Project Location/Limits
The Park and Ride lot will be located within the area of an existing parking lot of the Veterans
Administration’s Medical Center in the City of Northampton, Massachusetts. The site is located on the
north side of North Main Street (Route 9).
Purpose / Scope of Work
The primary purpose of the project is to provide approximately 75 parking spaces (50 for park and ride
users, 25 for the current VA users) at the proposed park and ride lot. A shelter will be provided at the bus
stop as well as bicycle racks and pedestrian walks. A connection to the Norwottuck/Mass Central Rail
Trail will be provided.
Traffic Management During Construction
During reconstruction of the traffic signal at the VA Drive and North Main Street intersection, one travel
lane in each direction will be maintained as much as possible within the project limits. At the end of each
workday one travel lane in each direction will be open to traffic. Every effort will be made to minimize
inconvenience.
Land Acquisitions / Easements
Preliminary Right of Way Plans have been prepared for the project. The project is located within VA
Medical Center property. An easement for the park and ride facility is being negotiated.
Project Funding/Cost
It is anticipated the project will utilize both state and federal funds. Currently the preliminary total federal
participating construction cost estimate is approximately $750,000.
Project Status
The project is presently at the 25% design stage. Advertising is anticipated in the winter of 2013.
Construction is expected to be completed within 12 months from the construction notice to proceed.
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THE COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS
MASSACHUSETTS DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
HIGHWAY DIVISION
FEDERAL AID PROJECT
Northampton, MA
Northampton Park & Ride Facility
Project File No. 606375
This sheet is provided for your comments. Your input is solicited and appreciated. Please return
your sheet, with comments, to a staff member at the meeting, or mail to:
Thomas F. Broderick, P.E., Chief Engineer
MassDOT – Highway Division
10 Park Plaza, Boston, MA 02116-3973
Attn: Project Management
The final date for receipt of written statements and exhibits for inclusion into the official hearing
transcript will be ten (10) days after the Public Hearing.
PLEASE TYPE OR PRINT LEGIBLY.
Name: _________________________________ Title:_______________________________
Organization: __________________________________________________________________
Address:______________________________________________________________________
Please Fold and Tape
________________________ Please Place
Appropriate ________________________ Postage Here
________________________
Thomas F. Broderick, P.E.
Chief Engineer
MassDOT – Highway Division
10 Park Plaza
Boston, MA 02116-3973
RE: Public Hearing
NORTHAMPTON PARK & RIDE FACILITY
NORTHAMPTON
Project File No. 606375
Highway Division/Project Management