1999-06-BOS-min - Laserfiche WebLink

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61-365 Selectmen's Meeting - June 14, 1999 Russell Road/Whipple Road The Committee met with Mrs. Cynthia Eid, 7 Russell Road and about five other residents of the neighborhood to discuss concerns about speeding on Whipple and Russell Roads. The Committee acknowledged the speeding by traffic using Whipple and Russell Roads to bypass the Lowell Street/Winchester Drive intersection. The Committee has discussed these two streets in the past, most recently, near Russell Road to address a visibility concern. Options to limit turns from both Lowell Street and Winchester Drive were discussed and taken under advisement by the neighbors. The Committee believes that the Town has taken all reasonable steps to address the problem and can only recommend increased enforcement at this time. The Board took no formal action but did recommend increased enforcement. Bartlett Avenue - 20 mph School Zone The Committee met with Mrs. Carol Batstone, 49 Bartlett Ave.; Mrs. Karen Blake, 45 Bartlett Ave.; Mrs. Joan Carmody, 29 Pearl Street; Ms. Dawn McKenna, 2564 Massachusetts Ave.; Dr. J. Barry Koops, Lexington Christian Academy and approximately 10 other residents of the neighborhood to discuss traffic conditions on Bartlett Avenue, Pearl Street and Arcola Street. The committee believes that an improvement in safety can be achieved through establishing a 20 mph School Zone on Bartlett Ave., Pearl Street and Arcola Street. This approach is appropriate and was successfully taken several years ago on Brookside Avenue entering the Clarke Junior High. The neighborhood has submitted a petition showing broad support for this type of action. The Committee also recommends this reduced speed zone be accompanied by increased enforcement by the Police Department. The cost of the five proposed signs is estimated to be $1,000. The Lexington Christian Academy has offered to provide funding for these signs. Headmaster Barry Koops said the Academy is prepared to make a contribution to the cost. Mrs. McKenna went to a hearing on this matter before she became a Selectman. There is considerable traffic around this neighborhood with no other exit. One suggestion that the Board may not have the power to do is to request that they have satellite parking. That would be the best solution for the neighborhood in addition to being safer for the kids. The school owns a bus that could transport the kids from a satellite location. Mr. Enrich felt it was worth looking into whether it would be under the Selectmen or Board of Appeals jurisdiction. There was much discussion about police presence after the school zone signs are in place. Attorney for the School John Farrington indicated the Academy will be going before the Board of Appeals. Mrs. McKenna was concerned that the Board of Appeals would be addressing only the increased parking matter.