Portsmouth's Melville Park route favored for island bikeway

Posted 8/25/15

PORTSMOUTH — A final design plan for the proposed Aquidneck Island Bikeway favors using a route through Melville Park, according to a report the Aquidneck Island Planning Commission (AIPC) presented to the Town Council Monday night.

The …

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Portsmouth's Melville Park route favored for island bikeway

Posted

PORTSMOUTH — A final design plan for the proposed Aquidneck Island Bikeway favors using a route through Melville Park, according to a report the Aquidneck Island Planning Commission (AIPC) presented to the Town Council Monday night.

The bikeway, intended to tie Aquidneck Island in with the other bicycle systems around the state, was originally planned to run along the west side of Portsmouth. However, that was deemed too costly and time-consuming, according to Bill Desantis, corporate director of bicycle transportation for Vanasse Hangen Brustlin Inc. in Providence and AIPC’s design consultant on the project.

Now AIPC is considering “interim” routes that are continuous but are “both on road and off road” and are being planned in conjunction with the R.I. Department of Transportation’s (RIDOT) local road improvement projects, he said.

The Melville route would use an old Navy road with new path construction and connect existing roads in the recreation area. It’s the same option favored by residents during AIPC’s September 2014 informational session held at Town Hall. Mr. Desantis said it would provide the most direct connections to the commercial areas along West Main Road as well as direct access to all areas of the town-owned Melville Ponds Recreation Area.

The AIPC report recommends that the town ask the R.I. Department of Administration Statewide Planning Section to include the Melville route in the State Transportation Improvement Plan (TIP), if that is in fact the town’s choice.

The estimated cost of making this route a reality — $1.8 million — is also less than the other two alternatives:

• The railroad/shoreline route, which would use a shared lane on Cory’s Lane, with a “rail with trail” off-road path along the railroad tracks ($3.5 million).

• The “power line” route along the power line access road just south of King’s Grant, with the construction of a new path ($2.7 million).

Council President Keith Hamilton said he was concerned about the safety of the Melville route alternative, pointing out that bikers would have to cross busy traffic in the Turkey Hill area.

Council member David Gleason agreed. “The only drawback is this is not a family-friendly bike path,” he said, noting that it would be limited to “skilled bicyclists.”

The council took no action on the bikeway but voted unanimously to revisit the matter on Sept. 28. In the meantime, the detailed plans for the proposal will be posted on the town’s website for everyone to view.

Support for Quonset

In other business Monday night, the council voted unanimously to put a request for support of the Quonset Air Museum on its next meeting agenda.

According to a letter from State Rep. Doreen M. Costa, the museum was damaged over the winter and volunteers were told they must vacate the space by Sept. 30.

“If a new space cannot be found, all the aircraft will be destroyed,” she stated in the letter.

Rep. Costa asked the council to join the towns of Exeter and North Kingstown in passing a resolution asking the state to save the museum, its aircraft and exhibits from destruction.

Council member David Gleason requested the council take up the matter at its Sept. 14 meeting, saying the museum was worthy of support.

Police station 

In his report to the council, Town Administrator Richard Rainer announced that an artist’s rendering of what the proposed new police station would look like is on display at Town Hall.

The 20,000-square-foot, two-story building would replace the current station and cost an estimated $10 million. The matter will likely go before voters in a November 2016 referendum.

Beach receipts

Mr. Rainer also announced that the town-owned Sandy Point Beach has earned more than $14,000 in direct receipts so far this season — already far surpassing last year’s total of $6,800. He said he expected the beach to reach its goal of earning $20,000 in revenue by the end of the season.

Liquor store transfer

The council, sitting as a Board of License Commissioners, approved a request to advertise for a public hearing to transfer a Class A beverage license from OM SAI, Inc., doing business as Portsmouth Wine & Spirits, 1557 West Main Road, to Pozdnyakova, Inc., doing business as Portsmouth Liquors.

The hearing will take place during the council’s next regular meeting on Monday, Sept. 14, beginning at 7 p.m. The board will also consider a new Sunday sales license for Portsmouth Liquors.

Tank farm consultants

The council voted to select Matrix Design Group to be the town’s consultant on the tank farm parcel transfer.

There was one other bidder for the job: RKG Associates, Inc. Matrix was the low bidder.

In selecting Matrix, the council accepted the recommendation of Town Planner Gary Crosby, who said the company’s proposal “most closely aligned with the scope of work detailed …”

Appointments/resignations

The council accepted with regret the resignation of Gene Kohls from the Zoning Board of Review.

The council approved the re-appointment of Hugh S. Atkins to the Tax Assessment Board of Review.

Childhood cancer

The council proclaimed September as Childhood Cancer Awareness Month in Portsmouth, on a request from the American Cancer Fund for Children and Kids Cancer Connection.

AIPC, Aquidneck Island Bikeway, Aquidneck Island Planning Commission, Portsmouth Town Council, Sandy Point Beach

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