2011-02-18-GCC-min - Laserfiche WebLink

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secretary, Paul Knight will coordinate materials for the web site. Stew Kennedy offered to introduce Paul to Candy after the meeting. [Action] Paul to begin setting up web site. Creating GCC email account: GCC email intended for all committee members should also be sent to a Town - provided GCC email account for archiving purposes. [Action] Paul Knight to ensure a GCC email account is established. Request Board of Selectmen letter in support of federal Recreational Trails Program (RTP Keith Ohmart discussed the threat to funding of the program which has enabled trail construction around Lexington, and distributed a proposed letter supporting the continuation of the RTP. Peggy Enders mentioned that she had received news that the RTP was no longer considered to be in danger. Consideration of the proposal was tabled. Brainstorm Goals & Objectives for GCC: Keith Ohmart asked for each attendee to discuss their views on the goals and objectives for the Committee. Keith: Conservation areas are a great resource. The GCC can help give inspiration to link them into a regional network. Other towns nearby can be linked through the GCC's efforts and example. The work of the GCC can result in a valuable legacy, as the next phase of evolution of the sustainable development of conservation land. Richard Canale: Many Town Committees have a tight focus. The GCC can be an umbrella project, to look at green and open space corridors from a systems perspective. The GCC can help coordinate actions of other Town organizations which affect greenways corridors. Deb Mauger: The GCC needs to coordinate with traffic groups to develop corridors which are officially recognized and considered as a part of traffic planning. In particular, the Traffic Safety Advisory Committee and the Transportation Advisory Committee. Paul Knight: The GCC can encourage and facilitate increased non - motorized travel by providing safe and enjoyable off -road connections around town and with other nearby towns. Connecting the conservation areas will help spread out the usage and encourage more use. That will help increase public appreciation for the value of conservation lands. Peggy Enders: There are various groups looking at transportation in Lexington. The League of Women Voters is involved with one activity on April 1, 2011. Lexington needs to work toward becoming more pedestrian - friendly. It has been difficult to organize the various interests, and the town is missing some opportunities for developing non - motorized transportation alternatives. The GCC should avoid focusing on streets and roads. Keith: Agree that the GCC should primarily focus on off -road issues, and the interfaces to the roads and sidewalks. Stew Kennedy: The GCC should see connectivity between conservation areas, both in Lexington and regionally, as a key goal. With the GCC formally established, we also need to take over the goals and objectives of the West Lexington Greenway task force, which was not an official entity. The GCC has some advantages over the WLG task force in representing the town in a more official capacity. We need to manage the WLG master plan completion, and move that project forward, particularly the "Minuteman Connector" concept. Keith: Yes, the WLG work is a key item for the GCC to pick up. The initial WLG study has made it clear that the first approach would result in considerable need to mitigate wetlands impact, and we need to investigate alternatives. Bob Hausslein: The vision of providing connectivity for pedestrians and bicyclists, while helping avoid conflict with cars is thrilling. The GCC should keep that vision as a primary goal. Richard Canale: The GCC should have as an important goal to improve community awareness of the value of green corridors for travel. This will help prevent an attitude of marginalizing conservation