2012-11-05-WALKS-min - Laserfiche WebLink

Browse Search

Lexington Sidewalk Committee Meeting Minutes Monday, November 5, 2012, 9 AM Selectmen's Meeting Room, Town Office Building Present: Jeanne Canale, Judy Crocker, Mary Hosmer Fanucci, Bettina McGimsey, Francine Stieglitz, Jerry van Hook; Liaisons: Elaine Celi (Transportation), Hank Manz (BOS), Marc Valenti (DPW); Guests: Mary Ellen Dunn (LPS), Maureen Gaines, Sarah McSweeney, Karen Stulck The meeting of the Sidewalk Committee (SWC) was called to order at 9:05 AM. 1. Welcome of new members: Jeanne Canale and Mary Hosmer Fanucci have officially joined the SWC. Karen Stulck is considering membership. 2. Proposed Clarke Middle School infrastructure improvements: Mary Ellen Dunn, Assistant Superintendent of Business and Finance for the Lexington Public Schools (LPS), provided an overview for a proposed new school bus loop at Clarke Middle School. In previous years buses only entered the school grounds via Brookside Avenue. With the increased number of buses this year, buses have been allowed to enter the school grounds via Stedman Road and then exit via Brookside, thanks to the opening of a gate on the west side of the school. Ms. Dunn noted that LPS has made a capital request of the Town for design funds and construction cost determination for a bus loop and additional parking spaces on the Stedman Road side of the school. The request is currently in review with the Capital Expenditure Committee. Should the bus loop be built, it would be up to the Fire Department as to whether the gate remained. If the gate is not needed, that land would most likely revert to green space. Jerry van Hook asked why the gate was closed in the first place. Hank Manz noted that in earlier years when the gate was open, parents started using it, increasing traffic along Stedman Road, which drew opposition from the neighborhood. It was relegated to be used only as a fire emergency gate.Judy Crocker asked whether the key to the gate could be given to DPW for snow removal. Mark Valenti noted that he would prefer for Central Dispatch to continue opening the gate. Additional points discussed were the increased number of buses at both middle schools: Clarke currently has 14 buses and Diamond 11 (including two METCO buses at both schools). Mr. van Hook asked whether there was a need for additional buses at Diamond. Ms. Dunn replied that there is not the same level of bus density issues at Diamond as at Clarke. Should there be increased numbers of buses, Diamond would need to use the Sedge Road side of the school, which would most likely lead to a future capital request as there are drainage issues on Sedge Road. 3. Prospect Hill Road new sidewalk request: Sarah McSweeney and Maureen Gaines presented a petition for a new sidewalk on Prospect Hill Road from Wachusett Circle to Marrett. They noted that many children walking to and from Bridge, Clarke, and Lexington High use the road. Without a sidewalk the street is quite dangerous. Mr. Valenti noted that the Town would need to have a study done here, as there are issues with line of sight, right of way, and