Public Works & Buildings Committee

Public Works and Buildings Committee City Hall Council Chambers Meeting Minutes November 20, 2025 6:00PM MEMBERS PRESENT Chairman - Councilor Hamann Vice Chairman-Councilor de Geofroy Councilor David Walker Councilor Daniel Fitzpatrick MEMBERS ABSENT Councilor Kevin Sullivan (excused) OTHERS PRESENT Peter C. Nourse PE, Director of City Service Gretchen Young, P.E., Deputy Director – Technical Services Jenn Marsh, Deputy Director – Operations and Administration Dan Camera, GIS Mike Dugas, Greenman-Pedersen, Inc (GPI) Laura McDormand, Admin. Services Supervisor MINUTES Councilor Hamann called the Public Works and Building Committee to order at 6 PM 1. Roll Call Ms. McDormand took the call attendance. Councilor Hamann, Councilor de Geofroy, Councilor Walker, Councilor Fitzpatrick were present for the roll call. Councilor Sullivan was not present. 2. Approval July 18, 2025, PWC Minutes Councilor Walker made a motion to accept the minutes of October 16, 2025, meeting as presented. Councilor de Geofroy seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously. 3. Public Input There were no members of the public that were there for public input. 4. Safety Improvements to Meaderboro Road/Estes Road/Route 202A Intersection Mr. Nourse gave some history on the Meaderboro/Estes Road/Route 202A Intersection, stating this is a key intersection on the west side of the City. Mr. Nourse stated that 202A is controlled by The New Hampshire Department of Transportation and Meaderboro and Estes Road are maintained by the City of Rochester. Mr. Nourse further stated that there are historic houses, a retail store and an active garage in this area. Mr. Nourse explained this area is skewed and there are sight challenges due to structures and topography, approximately 3,500 vehicles go through this interaction per day. Mr. Nourse stated that the 2019 transportation master plan identified intersections with safety concerns and the Meaderboro Corner intersection was included in the top 10 being the 3rd highest ranking for the most dangerous in the City. Over the past 10 years there have been 20 automobile Page 1 of 27  crashes near or around this intersection. Mr. Nourse further stated that there is capital improvement money in the 2025 and 2026 fiscal year to improve this intersection. This intersection has been discussed at the Public Safety Committee meetings where they took great interest in this. The project has advanced through a technical evaluation, which includes capital recommendations, so this project was shifted to the Public Works Committee. Mr. Nourse introduced Mike Dugas of Greenman-Pederson, Inc (GPI) who was present to go over the Meaderboro corner project. (presentation attached). Mr. Dugas highlighted the 3 conceptual improvements stating that the investigating conceptual improvements for this intersection were almost complete. The presentation went over the existing conditions of the intersection, which includes sight lines and access management deficiencies at each access point of the intersection. Mr. Dugas presented the 3 conceptual improvements to this intersection. Concept 1would be to provide low-cost improvements, retaining the stop signs that are presently out there, enhancing them by adding “cross traffic does not stop” placards beneath the stop signs, adding intersection warning signs to west of intersection, add a “stop ahead” sign on Estes Road. A traffic island at the corner of the intersection which would define the roadway and the business parking lot onsite and would provide a suitable place to have a “stop” sign on the right-hand sign of Estes Road which could not happen the way it is now. The cost of this concept would be approximately $70,000. Concept 2 includes an All-Way Stop Control where all four approaches would have “stop” signs. The concepts includes “stop ahead” signs on 202A which don’t exist today and “new traffic pattern ahead” signs would need to be temporarily constructed as the traveling public becomes accustomed to the change. The existing flashing beacon would need to be converted to flashing red in all directions. This concept would also include the construction of a separation island at the corner of Estes and 202A. The cost of concept 2 would be approximately $110,000. The third concept is a realignment of Route 202A. This would include the reconstruction of approximately 800 feet of 202A, the purpose of this is to realign the central line to shift to the south. This option would improve sight and include construction of the corner in front of Doug’s Towing. This concept could result in an increase in speeds in this area. This concept would cost approximately $400,000. The NHDOT are not contributing to the cost of this project, but 202A is State maintained, they do need to approve the project details that will be done. NHDOT has been piloting All-Way Stop Controle intersections throughout the state, and antidotally has been satisfied with the results. Staff recommends concept 2 to convert intersection to All-Way Stop Control, install “stop” and “stop ahead” signs on Route 202A, follow best practices for implementation, message boards, “new traffic pattern ahead” signs, flanking signs on both sides of road, LED-enhanced “stop” signs, install corner island to manage access. Ultimately this is NHDOT managed intersection, and the city will need their approval prior to implementing any changes to the traffic patterns on 202A. NHDOT has stated that they are preliminarily not opposed to the concept but would require further review prior to approving modifications. Councilor Fitzpatrick stated that he has dealt with 4-way stops and he feels they are very effective. Councilor Walker said he does not like 4-way stops but feels it is the best option for this intersection. Councilor de Geofroy said he also supports a 4-way stop in this area. The consensus of the committee is to progress the design of Concept 2, and continue to work with NHDOT for final approvals. 5. Other Page 2 of 27 Twombley Street-Big Hole in Road Councilor Walker said there is a big hole on the side of the road on Twombly Street. Union Street-Adjust timing on Traffic Light Councilor Hamann asked if the traffic light on Union Street could be adjusted for vehicles going south. Ms. Young stated there are signal upgrades that are pending just waiting on the equipment to come in. Status of Bridge Street Councilor Hamann asked when Bridge Street would be opened. Mr. Nourse and Ms. Young said either tomorrow or next week Bridge Street will be opened. Welcoming Jenn Marsh, New Deputy Director of Administration Operations at DPW Mr. Nourse welcomed Jenn Marsh the new Deputy Director of Operations and Administration, to the DPW team. Meeting adjourned at 6:49 PM. Minutes respectfully submitted by Laura McDormand, Admin. Services & Utility Billing Supervisor Page 3 of 27  MEADERBORO CORNER NH 202A / WALNUT ST / CROWN POINT RD AT ESTES RD / MEADERBORO RD CONCEPTUAL IMPROVEMENTS STUDY Presented to: Rochester Public Works and Building Committee Date: November 20, 2025 Page 4 of 27 Agenda 1. Existing Conditions – Road features – Resources – natural and cultural 2. Traffic Operations and Safety – Crash history – Hazards 3. Conceptual Improvements – Design elements – Comparison of alternatives Page 5 of 27 2 Existing Conditions Map Page 6 of 27 3 Existing Conditions – Cultural Resources c.1780 c.1882 c.1782 c.1910 Doug’s Towing & Auto Repair Four Corner Antique Store c.1704 c.1832 Page 7 of 27 4 Agenda 1. Existing Conditions – Road features – Resources – natural and cultural 2. Traffic Operations and Safety – Volumes and speeds – Crash history – Hazards 3. Conceptual Improvements – Design elements – Comparison of alternatives Page 8 of 27 6 Traffic Volumes and Speeds Traffic data Daily volume: 3,350 Rickers Trucks: 6% Brook ~1,100 vpd Speed data Speed limit: 40 mph 1,900 vpd Average speed: 48 mph 2,500 vpd 85th %ile speed: 53 mph Page 9 of 27 16 crashes 2020-2023 • 4 injuries • 12 ‘significant’ damage • 3 failure to stop • 11 failure to yield Page 10 of 27 9 Safety Deficiencies House obstructs sightline Uncontrolled access Deficient crest Page 11 of 27 11 Deficiencies – Sight lines Looking left Looking right Page 12 of 27 12 Deficiencies – Sight lines Looking left Looking right Page 13 of 27 13 Deficiencies – Sight lines Looking east Looking west Page 14 of 27 14 Deficiencies – Access management Page 15 of 27 15 Agenda 1. Existing Conditions – Road features – Resources – natural and cultural 2. Traffic Operations and Safety – Crash history – Hazards 3. Conceptual Improvements – Design elements – Comparison of alternatives Page 16 of 27 16 Concept 1 – Low-cost improvements Page 17 of 27 17 Concept 2 – All way stop control Page 18 of 27 18 Concept 2 – All way stop control - background 1. New treatment has come into favor as a low-cost – and effective - treatment for TWSC crashes • Successful conversions in North Carolina and Delaware have led states and cities to take a second look at AWSC • Out-of-state findings: • North Carolina • Delaware • Maine 2. Common circumstances • Locations where modest traffic doesn’t warrant signals or justify cost of roundabout • Constrained locations with inadequate space for road expansion • Sites with confusing traffic operations: 3-way stop intersections 3. NHDOT experience • 15 sites converted statewide, 4 pending • Examples  Chester – NH 102 /NH 121  Lempster – NH 10 / 2nd NH Turnpike  Wakefield – NH 109 / NH 153 Page 19 of 27 Concept 3 – Route 202A realignment Driver sightline Shift roadway 12’ south Page 20 of 27 20 Access management details Page 21 of 27 21 Access management details Page 22 of 27 22 Access management details Page 23 of 27 23 Other Alternatives Considered 1. Mention other possible 1. Traffic signal alternatives not advanced • Not warranted by current or future traffic volumes 1. Roundabout 2. Building removal 2. Recommend AWSC 2. Roundabout • Proven safety countermeasure would provide safe and efficient operations • Substantial property impacts • Challenging topography • Costly solution Page 24 of 27 Other Alternatives Considered (cont.) 1. Mention other possible 3. Route 202A realignment w/o profile adjustment alternatives not advanced • Increased property impacts from higher roadway 1. Roundabout • Would not correct deficient crest 2. Building removal 2. Recommend AWSC 4. Remove sight obstruction • Would correct sight distance deficiency at Meaderboro Rd • Costly and intrusive solution • Potential historic impact Page 25 of 27 Recommended Action 1. Mention other possible Concept 2: Convert intersection to All-Way Stop Control alternatives not advanced • Install stop and stop ahead signs on Route 202A 1. Roundabout 2. Building removal • Convert flashing yellow beacon to flashing red 2. Recommend AWSC • Follow best practices for implementation - Message boards - ‘New Traffic Pattern Ahead’ signs - Flanking signs (both sides of road) - LED-enhanced stop signs (optional) • Install corner island to manage access Page 26 of 27 Meaderboro Corner Conceptual Improvements Study Thank you! Mike Dugas – Greenman-Pedersen, Inc. Mdugas@gpinet.com 603-374-7915 Page 27 of 27 27