2013-01-07 BOS Packet - Released

Browse Search

Page 1 of 1 Lynne Pease From: judith crocker[rjcrocker@msn.com] Sent: Monday, January 07, 2013 12:18 PM To: Deb Mauger; Manuel Ferro; rjcrocker@msn.com; Margaret Coppe; Jerrold Van Hook; Paul Ash Cc: Marc Valenti; Lynne Pease; Miriam Sousa Subject: MAPC grant letter of support Importance: High Dear Board of Selectmen, Lexington Police Dept, Safe Routes To School program, School Committee, School Transportation and Safety Study Committee, Sidewalk Committee and Superintendent, The Lexington Safe Routes To School program along with the Lexington Department of Public Works needs your help! We will be applying for a $5-10K Metropolitan Area Planning Council (MAPC) grant and are requesting Letters of Support from your respective boards, committees, and departments. We feel Lexington is eligible under the criteria of: 1. expanding the Safe Routes program to include all schools. Presently, Lexington has 7 out of 9 schools enrolled as a state partner (exceptions are Harrington and LHS). There is no cost benefit to this item except to meet grant requirements. 2. evaluating and recommendations for school zone signage. Presently, DPW is drafting a request for a consultant transportation engineer to conduct this study. We are looking for the grant to cover the cost of the study, priced at $6800-9350. The lower cost covers 8 Lexington Schools and the higher cost covers 8 Lexington schools plus 3 private schools (Cotter, Montessori, Waldorf). LHS is not eligible under state regulations for school zone signage, for it is only required for Grade 8 and below. Basically, criteria #2 is moving forward regardless of this grant. However, the grant affords the possibility of funding outside of the DPW budget. The timeline involves the study occurring one month after funding is received and implementation of study recommendations for July 1, 2013. We learned of the grant last Friday and the deadline is THIS Friday. Therefore, if at all possible, we would request to have any Letters of Support by Thursday Jan 10. We would be more than happy to provide additional information and/or aid in the formulating any letters, if helpful. The letter essence should concentrate on explaining how school zone signage is a traffic calming measure that makes pedestrian and bicycle school access a safer, more viable transportation option for our students. Thank you for your consideration. judy crocker, Coordinator for Lexington's Safe Routes To Schools Marc Valenti, Highway Superintendent, DPW 1/7/2013