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Nantucket Historical Commission offers early input to DOT on Milestone/Rotary and Nobadeer Farm Road projects
Summary
At a DOT early‑coordination briefing, the commission recommended period‑sensitive materials (Belgian block apron, granite curbing, split‑rail fencing), urged minimal intrusive signage, and voted to send formal comments to the town and DOT for the preliminary design package.
The Nantucket Historical Commission provided design guidance to Massachusetts Department of Transportation consultants working on the Milestone Road/Main Street rotary and the Nobadeer Farm Road intersection and voted to send a formal letter listing the commission’s preferences.
Mike Burns, the town’s transportation manager, told the commission the projects are on the state’s safety improvement program and that DOT hopes to produce a pre‑25% (preliminary) design package by June. Burns said the goals include reducing crash severity, improving bicycle and pedestrian facilities and reducing congestion; the projects are proceeding at DOT request after town authorization.
Commissioners recommended materials and treatments that would retain Nantucket’s historic character: Belgian‑block or similar aprons rather than concrete on roundabout centers, granite curbing over precast concrete curbing, split‑rail or low wrought‑iron fencing instead of chain link, and grass or low‑maintenance planting in central islands. The commission also urged consistent use of brick‑red detectable warning panels at crosswalks rather than yellow panels and recommended minimizing advanced “crosswalk ahead” signage when pavement markings are clear.
Commissioners stressed maintenance considerations: several members asked for designs that will be durable and low‑maintenance in the island’s conditions. They also asked to involve stakeholders for specific memorials in the project area; commissioners requested outreach to the American Legion regarding the Coffin memorial/flagpole so the veterans’ group can weigh in on any changes to that circle.
The commission moved, on a motion by Angus McLeod seconded by Clement, to draft and send a letter to DOT and the town enumerating the commission’s material preferences and contextual design concerns; the motion carried unanimously. Burns told the group that the design consultant would welcome the commission’s list “sooner rather than later” to inform the pre‑25% package.
The commission also discussed operational changes the engineers are recommending: modern roundabouts use yield control on all approaches (removing the current single stop sign), and the designers seek to delineate two‑lane approaches where appropriate to reduce queuing. The commission asked that design plans balance safety and traffic flow with historic visual character and long‑term maintenance workload.
DOT and town staff plan continued coordination and public outreach; commissioners asked for another presentation during the spring to review a preliminary design.
