2012-03-05-WALKS-min - Laserfiche WebLink

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Lexington Sidewalk Committee Meeting Minutes Monday March 5, 2012 at gam Present: Jerry Van Hook (Chair), Judy Crocker, Bettina McGimsey, Francine Stieglitz Liaisons: Elaine Celi (LPS Transportation), Marc Valenti (DPW), John Livesy (Engineering), Richard Canale (Planning Board) Guests: Jill Hai, Jane Williamson, Susan Dedham, Jackie Pottersdam 1. The February meeting minutes were approved. 2. Adams St sidewalk discussion Mr. Livsey reported that Adams St will be resurfaced from East St to the Woburn line this summer. Engineering tries to evaluate adjoining sidewalks with any road project, especially for pinch points where plows has access difficulty as well as crosswalk ramps. The Lexington standard for sidewalk width is 50" (ADA requires 36" but snow equipment requires 48" width). The project includes replacing some sections of sidewalk only and placing rumble strips on ramps. Overall sidewalk replacement is not a part of this road project as approved by Town Meeting. Adam St has known pinch points between the street guardrail and telephone poles. Options for improving pedestrian access to the area include: a) Evaluate removal of the guardrail. If it is not warranted by present town code, then it can be removed. b) Perform Research for alternative guardrail designs that may not be as wide. c) Narrow the roadway so that the sidewalk can be widened. This scenario would make the tight road even tighter in width. It is already a difficult road to share with bikers due to its width. This is the last option. Mr. Van Hook remarked that parts of the sidewalk are in bad shape and is disappointed that the project does not include its replacement. He stated that it is a busy, difficult road and that removing the guardrail might decrease pedestrian safety. Mr. Livsey replied that it is not typical to install guardrails for the purpose of pedestrian safety and that perhaps only sections of the rail could be removed in order to solve the pinch point problem. Unfortunately, the two problem telephone poles can take years to remove by NStar. The Town tries to avoid such matters if at all possible. Susan Dedham spoke on behalf of the neighborhood and endorsed keeping the guardrail as a visual barrier for pedestrians and cars. Jackie Pottersdam wants to keep the guardrail for safety's sake. Mr. Van Hook inquired if residents could instead use the local bikepath as a safer alternative but Ms. Pottersdam reported that there are too many obstructions for pedestrians here, including overgrown brush, litter, and that there is crime in the area.