2013-03-04-WALKS-min - Laserfiche WebLink

Browse Search

Lexington Sidewalk Committee Meeting Minutes Monday, March 4, 2013, 9 AM Selectmen's Meeting Room, Town Office Building Present: Judy Crocker ,Mary HosmerFanucci, Bettina McGimsey, Francine Stieglitz, Jerry Van Hook; Members absent:, Jeanne Canale, Francine Stieglitz;Liaisons: Hank Manz(BOS), Marc Valenti (DPW), Elaine Cell (Transportation); Guests: Dave Cannon (DPW), John Livsey (DPW),residents of the Winthrop Street neighborhood (a scanned copy of the sign -in sheet appears at the end of these minutes) The meeting of the Sidewalk Committee (SWC) was called to order at 9:08 AM by Judy Crocker. Discussion of Resident Sidewalk Installation Guidelines: Ms. Crocker opened the discussion of meeting by first asking all present to introduce themselves. She then moved to the discussion of the Resident Sidewalk Installation Guidelines, noting that the goal of this part of the meeting was to focus on the substance of the Resident Sidewalk Installation Guidelines. She pointed out that the discussion of the Winthrop Road petition process during the February 2013 SWC meeting had disclosed an issue with how abutters are notified about a sidewalk petition. This further raised the issue of the difference between a public hearing, which requires abutters to be notified by the Town, and a regular meeting of a Town committee that residents can attend and voice their concerns. Hank Manz suggested that the process by which the Town considers a project, such as a sidewalk installation, has to be commensurate with the level of project being considered. To require a hearing process for small projects, which he noted Winthrop Road fit, would forestall any progress on doing anything. His suggestion was that the Board of Selectmen (BOS) would need to review the sidewalk planning process and determine how to address this issue.It was noted that this process is outlined in the Resident Sidewalk Installation Guidelines, which were submitted to the BOS in May of 2011. Jerry Van Hook noted that the role of the SWC is to determine whether a sidewalk ought to be installed.Said decision is merely advisory to the BOS and non - binding. The SWC has a Master List of sidewalks that are prioritized by a number of criteria including condition, connectivity, and materials. From that list the greatest need is determined for ongoing maintenance, repair, and installation of new sidewalks. The list is reviewed and updated on an ongoing basis. Placement of sidewalks is determined by Town Engineering. Ms. Crocker noted that, at that point in the process, abutters are formally notified of the sidewalk. The discussion turned to revising the Guidelines. Ms. Crocker noted that Francine Stieglitz had suggested that the 2nd meeting referenced in the 3r step of the Guidelines should perhaps be a public meeting. Then ensued a discussion of the process for the Roosevelt Road sidewalk. Ms. Crocker said that the first meeting regarding this sidewalk was, per her recollection, advertised through the Hastings Elementary PTA, as well as in the Minuteman. Mr. Manz noted that it is critical that word is gotten out through venues that reach a wide range of people, not just families with children in the schools. Various communication modes were mentioned, including Global Connect and the Code Red system. None were deemed appropriate to reach everyone or for the task. Mr. Manz noted that the BOS will take notification as an action item and will review the Resident Guidelines with that in mind. John Livsey, Town Engineer, stated that not all sidewalks go through the SWC or through the petition process. Many sidewalks are installed as part of road construction, funded either by the Town or through other sources such as the State. The notification process of direct abutters is similar to what has been done with Winthrop Road: prior to construction Engineering meets with abutters to discuss the process and what will be done. At this point, the discussion was opened to audience members to share their thoughts. Catherine Bauer, 44 Winthrop Road, stated that the Conservation Commission (CC) has an established procedure to keep people apprised of what is happening with its work. Ms. Crocker noted that the CC is a regulatory board