2011-03-CEC-ATM-rpt - Laserfiche WebLink

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CAPITAL EXPENDITURES COMMITTEE REPORT TO 2011 ATM comparison to the funding needed to ensure our roadway infrastructure is restored to the level this Town has come to expect. Traffic Mitigation Traffic Mitigation is the phrase applied to projects designed to improve traffic safety, traffic flow and reduce impacts on neighbors through accumulation of traffic data, and the design and construction of new infrastructure and improvements. The FY2012 request for Townwide Signalization Improvements provides for updated pedestrian signals at the Bedford Street/Hill Street/Revere Street intersection. (See Article 10(m)) There is also a project for a South Lexington Transportation Master Plan. (See Article 10(i)) A third project in the Traffic Mitigation area provides for installation of a high-visibility pedestrian crossing on Waltham Street in the vicinity of the Brookhaven at Lexington continuing-care retirement community. (See Article 10(n)) Sidewalks Currently the town has more than 62-miles of sidewalks. Because the upgrading and extension of many of these sidewalks was long overdue, the Board of Selectmen appointed a Sidewalk Advisory Committee in Spring 2005. Maintenance of sidewalks is expensive, and issues of obstructions, easements, and objections from residents burden construction of new sidewalks. That committee's overall policy is to develop a prioritized sidewalk construction plan focusing on the Safe Routes to School Program, other high-pedestrian-traffic routes and high-walking-hazard streets. The FY2012 funding request for accomplishing work under that plan includes constructing new sidewalks and rebuilding/repaving existing sidewalks. (See Article 10(d)) Public Grounds The Town has approximately 630 acres of land in a total of 110 parks, playgrounds, conservation areas, athletic facilities, school grounds and historical sites. In addition, Town staff administers and maintains four cemeteries with a combined area of a little over 30 acres. The Forestry staff maintains approximately 10,000 trees along roadways and an indeterminate number of trees, shrubs and plantings on Town-owned land. The FY2012 funding request will provide for an expansion of the irrigation system at Westview Cemetery. (See Article 10(k)) Minuteman Bikeway The 11-mile Minuteman Bikeway, which was opened in 1993, runs from the Alewife MBTA Station to the railroad Freight House in Bedford. About half the total length of the Bikeway, or 5.5 miles, lies in Lexington. The DPW's Public Grounds Division maintains the Lexington segment. The 5-Year Capital Plan carries no capital projects related to the Bikeway. Water Distribution System Many of the Town's water mains were installed in the early 1900s and need to be replaced or cleaned and lined. For a number of years, the Town has been systematically improving the system in order to improve water quality, pressure, and fire-protection capabilities, and to reduce frequency and severity of water- main breaks. Since DPW already has available funding for two or three year of construction work, there is no a funds request in FY2012. However, funding requests are anticipated each year during the balance of the 5-Year Capital Plan. To improve meter-reading efficiencies, the Town is considering installing an Automatic Water-Meter Reading System based on the results of a study funded by the 2009 Annual Town Meeting (described 23