ROCKPORT — In a vote of four to one, members of the Rockport Select Board approved a plan to create seven perpendicular parking spaces with sidewalk along Limerock Street to provide parking for the new Rockport Public Library. The April 8 meeting also saw the board vote to place 29 warrant articles on the warrant for the June Town Meeting, including a food sovereignty ordinance and a $4.5 million project to extend sewer lines along Route 1.

The seven parking spaces and sidewalk will be placed opposite the new library along the Memorial Park side of Limerock Street. This represents a reduction by half of the 14 parking spaces proposed by project engineers and architects in the current plan – one of three possible plans discussed by the board and members of the public at a March 25 meeting.

After that March 25 forum, which lasted hours and explored several options, including parallel and diagonal spaces, the board said it hoped to receive additional public input prior to making a decision at the April 8 meeting.

In addition to the seven perpendicular spaces, a handicapped parking space and two spaces for drop-offs will be on Limerock Street, four more spaces for library patrons will be created on Union Street and three will be available on Russell Avenue.

Board members discussed various iterations of the plan prior to casting a majority vote. Selectman Doug Cole made the first attempt to decide the parking scheme, offering that the board move forward with the existing plan for 14 spaces.

“This [14 space] plan was organically grown by engineers, architects and committees...this was the plan that townspeople at the time decided on,” said Cole.

Board members Debra Hall and Jeff Hamilton said they couldn’t support the motion.

Chairman Ken McKinley suggested that the number of spaces be reduced by four, stating that 10 spaces would still offer improved access for Rockport citizens from the existing conditions, and would allow the possibility of future expansion at the site if necessary.

Hamilton said he envisioned six or seven perpendicular spaces on the park side of Limerock. Hamilton warned that since bids for the entire project have not yet been received, it was important that the town had ample funds in place before embarking on a more elaborate plan.

Hamilton said the seven spaces should be placed at the Russel Avenue-end of Limerock, and suggested that the existing plans for a sidewalk spanning 14 parking spaces be maintained, saying that the additional sidewalk would be used by pedestrians.

Selectman Mark Kelley pointed out that an additional 70 feet of sidewalk through the park, bordered by grass and not parking spaces would be problematic – it might tempt people to park on the grass if other spaces were taken, and would likely have to be removed at additional cost should the town decide to add more parking spaces to that area in the future.

“Where do you expect library staff to park,” asked Rockport resident Helen Shaw, during the board’s discussion. Shaw serves on the Pathways Committee and the Library Committee.

Board member Debra Hall pointed out that even with seven spaces on the Memorial Park side of Limerock, there would be sufficient parking options on Russell Avenue and Union Street, and that additional parking was within easy walking distance.

She stressed the fact that able-bodied employees should be willing to park within easy walking distance to the facility, but that the spaces directly in front of the building should be primarily for library patrons and visitors. Although present at the meeting, library director Ben Blackmon didn’t comment on any iterations of the parking plan.

Architect Steve Smith recommended that if the board moved forward with the seven spaces along Limerock, the sidewalk should terminate after the last space as opposed to continue for 70 feet. He said it was important that he and project engineers Gartley & Dorsky receive specific information about this as to best create a change order for the project and estimate how much granite curbing and concrete will be needed. Members of the Pathways Committee said the additional sidewalk would be used by children walking to the library from Union Street.

Kelley moved that the board adopt the plan for seven perpendicular spaces with sidewalk, and that the sidewalk would not be continued past the parking spaces until such a time was necessary. Kelley, Hall, Cole and Hamilton voted in favor of the motion; McKinley voted against it.

Next the board discussed a Memorandum of Understanding between the town and the Rockport Library Foundation (RLF).

The foundation is responsible for raising $2 million in donations and pledges for the construction of the $3.5 million Rockport Public Library facility. A concern arose last month over a $150,000 invoice sent by the town to the foundation that contained no details about the expenditures. The foundation said the invoice would be paid, but requested further documentation and itemization of costs involved.

On April 8, Kelley asked Town Manager Rick Bates whether or not the memorandum had been reviewed by the town’s legal counsel.

Bates said that it hadn’t been, but would be sent to the town’s lawyer immediately.

Hall questioned the time period proposed by the foundation of 30 days upon receipt of an invoice to arrange payment, asking if the response time could be reduced to 15 days.

Finance Director Megan Brackett said she, too, was concerned about the 30-day period of receiving repayment for expenses initially paid by the town, and whether or not the municipality’s cash flow would be able support the delay during construction of the building and active invoicing.

“Our intent is to pay as soon as we can – we’re not saying we necessarily have to wait the 30 days...Our concern is verifying what the costs are...we want to make sure the invoices match the actual building costs,” said RLF member Joan Welsh.

The board did not make a decision on the memorandum at the meeting, but asked that the foundation consider the 15-day proposal at its meeting next week.

IN OTHER TOWN BUSINESS

Earlier in the evening, the board approved a peddler’s permit for Bobby Morgan of Flatbread Co., allowing him to operate a food truck from Rockport Marine Park for the upcoming summer season.

The board also approved a special amusement permit for Bleeker & Greer operating as Main Street Meats at 310 Commercial Street. Owner Sarah Greer said she intends to have classical, jazz and acoustic musical performances at the business, some of which may be held in the cafe’s outdoor space over the summer.

In voting to place each of warrant article on the June Town Meeting ballot, board members individually chose whether or not to recommend voting in favor each article to Rockport citizens. The Select Board’s recommendations were recorded and will accompany each article on the June warrant. 

Warrant Article 10 asks voters to approve the design, site preparation and construction of a sewer line extension from Sea Light Lane to South St. along Route 1.

The $4.5 million project would be paid for through general obligation bonds, and be repaid from wastewater fees. Board member pointed out that the project would have little to no impact on taxpayers, and suggested possibly providing supplemental, explanatory information during polling. 

Other warrant articles include a marijuana ordinance which would limit home cultivation to personal use and a local food sovereignty ordinance which would expand the types of products which could be sold at local markets. Further articles involve mooring fees in Rockport Harbor, and the sale of town owned land. The remainder of the warrant appropriates and raises funds for the budgets of the municipality’s departments. 

Reach Louis Bettcher at news@penbaypilot.com