2005-09-12-WALKS-min - Laserfiche WebLink

Browse Search

SIDEWALK COMMITTEE Minutes of September 12, 2005 Meeting The Lexington’s Sidewalk Committee meeting was convened by Chairman Craig Weeks at 11 AM in the Selectman¹s Meeting Room. Approximately 20 people were present A motion to accept the minutes of the August 8 meeting was moved seconded and passed. Weeks began with a discussion on the Bridge School project, a program designed to reduce vehicular trips to and from the school by promoting the alternatives of walking and bicycling. Car traffic at the school has been a continuing problem. A drop off count of 220 cars this last spring suggests that more than half of the 430 families enrolled were sending their students to school this way. The Bridge walk to school program which will begin officially on the week of Sept. 26-30, hopes to dramatically reduce this practice. The Bridge PTA, principal Barbara Manfredi, transportation coordinator Gail Wagner, and parents are joining with the Sidewalk Committee to make this pilot program succeed in a way that is inclusive for all Tracy Herbert, a Bridge parent and the Sidewalk Committee liaison to the Bridge PTA, described a school incentive plan of awarding different colored ribbons each day of the week to children walking that day to and from school . Similar ribbon awards would also be given to children bicycling with parents or taking school buses since this reduces car traffic as well. For safer access, a new crosswalks was being discussed, at Marrett Rd. near the old reservoir parking lot The existing crosswalk at Downing Road and Marrett will benefit from the construction of a new sidewalk planned for completion this fall along the south side of Marrett between Spring St. and Waltham St... There was also discussion about re-striping the existing crosswalk on Marrett at Middle St. and of checking the crosswalk signal operation at the Marrett/Waltham intersection to assure safe pedestrian/bicycle passage there during school hours. Jeanne Krieger pointed out that crosswalk painting is important but parental oversight and school training are also needed to avoid a false sense of security using the crosswalks. Herbert said safety training was in the plan and that children 10 years old and younger would certainly need adult supervision.. Wagner agreed that, children need help crossing busy roads, up to and including 5th grade. Parents are being organized for walking children with Captains to assure coverage for each of the principal routes to Bridge. Marianne Lazarus pointed to the need for follow up, a phase 2 where the successes and failures of all these initiatives are discussed and needed changes are made.. Herbert said she would ask for volunteers to clean up the existing pedestrian/bike path on the west side of the reservoir which the bike committee (LBAC) cannot do this year. Van Hook will see that the LBAC clears brush along the Coppersmith path. Path improvements by the LBAC in other school areas are continuing. John Davies reported that the sidewalk inventory map was essentially complete and that he would work with Lucy