2012-05-07-WALKS-min - Laserfiche WebLink

Browse Search

Lexington Sidewalk Committee Meeting Minutes Monday May 7, 2012, 9 am Selectmen's Meeting room, Town office Building Present: Judy Crocker, Francine Steiglitz, Bettina McGimsey, Jill Hai, Jerry Van Hook, Mark Valenti (DPW), Hank Manz (Board of Selectmen) Elaine Celi (Transportation); Guests: Eileen Entin and Rick Abrams (Greenways Corridor Committee) The meeting of the Sidewalk Committee (SWC) wa called to order by Jerry Van Hook at 9:20 a.m. 1. Presentation from the Greenways Corridor Committee (GCC) `s "Across Lexington Initiative ". GCC is a new committee, an outgrowth of the West Lexington Greenways Committee, designed to create interlinked, well maintained routes, traversing Lexington and connecting Conservation land, Recreation resources, Open spaces, the Center and the Schools. GCC would like to link neighboring towns through trails and to help Lexington prepare for the "Silver Tsunami" by making it an attractive community for aging residents. The expectation is that the trails will be used both by walkers and trail bikes. The group has already met with Bill Hadley (DPW) and some surveying has been done. The goal is to have 35 to 40 miles of routes ultimately, with coordination of sidewalk installation. A pilot route has been created, roughly 5.5 miles connecting the Bikeway, Williard Woods, Chiesa Farm and Parker Meadow. The committee would like to have the route completed by fall, to coordinate with the Lexington 300 celebrations. Questions for the committee: a. How could they coordinate efforts with Safe Routes To School? Was there a formal process available or necessary? b. Would like to minimize on road travel necessitated by route, but even in the pilot route there are some small areas where no sidewalk or trail is available and a short on -road stretch is required (e.g. North Street). What is the safest way to manage this? Where should people be directed to cross? Is there a way to divert people onto Myrna Road to get back to Williard Woods from North? Jerry Van Hook noted that Traffic Safety Advisory Committee (TSAC) should be involved, especially if crosswalks are required. Mr. Abrams state that TSAC had been informed, as well as Lexington Police. Mr. Van Hook then expressed concerns about the boardwalks throughout the Conservation land and the adequacy thereof for bicycles. There was conversation about the need for warning signs, vandalism concerns and options. The Committee agreed this was an issue for the Bicycle Committee. Presenters agreed to check with Minuteman National Park about how they maintain their warning signs and the width of their boardwalks.