2013-06-03-WALKS-min - Laserfiche WebLink

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Lexington Sidewalk Committee Meeting Minutes Monday, June 3, 2013, 9 AM Estabrook Room of Cary Hall Present: Judy Crocker, Mary Hosmer Fanucci, Bettina McGimsey, Sean Osborne, Francine Stieglitz, Jerry Van Hook; Members absent:, Jeanne Canale;Liaisons: Hank Manz(BOS), Marc Valenti (DPW), Elaine Cell (Transportation); Guests: Nick Havan, Nairi Havan The meeting of the Sidewalk Committee (SWC) was called to order at 9:07 AM by Judy Crocker. 1. Welcome Sean Osborne: Ms. Crockerstarted the meeting by welcoming Sean Osborne as the newest member of the SWC. 2. Citizen's request for sidewalk on Marrett Road between Cary Avenue and Lincoln Street: Nick Havan of 555 Marrett Road presented his case for a sidewalk on the east side of Marrett Road between Cary Avenue and Lincoln Street. He noted that his family had moved to this location to be close to schools and Lincoln Field. However, due to the fact that there is neither a sidewalk on his side nor a crosswalk to get to the other side, reaching those destinations is difficult. This situation, he noted, is exacerbated when there are snow drifts on the road. A further danger is that the school buses that service the houses along this stretch of Marrett stop on the other side of the road, making it quite hazardous for children to catch their bus. Further, Marrett Road is a state roadway with a posted mph of 30, but in reality cars are driving much faster than that. Mr. Havan noted, that since pipes are being laid on Marrett Road, this might be a good time to consider putting in a sidewalk. He also said that there is room for a sidewalk — of the seven or eight house along this route, all have setbacks that are empty. He noted that he had discussed all of this with Dave Cannon of DPW who had suggested he begin his process by coming to the SWC. Ms. Crocker then stated that, because Marrettt Road is a state road, the process will take some time but the first step would be to start a petition. Mr. Havan informed her that he had already gotten signatures from the houses along the sidewalk route. Ms Crocker recommended that he get more signatures, including all abutters and the surrounding area, to show the strength of neighborhood support. The SWC would then review the petition at a meeting where both supporters and those opposed would be able to voice their opinions. Then it would go to the BOS at which the SWC would make a recommendation. Following this, the proposal would go to Town Meeting; if the funding for a study was approved there, engineering would be involved and ultimately this would go to the BOS for a final vote. Mr. Havan asked how long a process this is — it was noted that Concord Ave took 2 '/2 years to pass. Mr. Van Hook then asked if certified letters should be sent to direct abutters. Ms. Crocker noted that the work done on the Winthrop Road sidewalk petition had raised some issues about the Resident Guidelines that may need to be clarified. Ms. Stieglitz suggested that all signatures on the petition should be dated; all of those who are opposed should be listed in a separate document, ideally with a dated note of why they were opposed. Mr. Osborne suggested that this document be treated like a seminar sign -in sheet: name, address, what did they say. When Mr. Havan returns to the SWC, he would ideally bring a map, petition signatures, and anyone else who wants a voice in this discussion. 3. Review of meeting minutes from April 29: The minutes were approved as amended. 4. Correspondence log: Ms. Stieglitz noted that she had sent an email to Mr. Valenti regarding the dangers of crossing Hancock Street at Diamond Middle School, including large bushes and a lack of stop signs. Ms. Crocker noted that World Tech is working with LPS to do an evaluation of all school properties and traffic flow. Mr. Valenti noted that this area is a rotary, where vehicles are expected to yield. Should stop signs be needed there, the Traffic Safety Advisory Committee (TSAC) would need to consider that, as they are the Town committee that addresses regulatory signs. It was noted that when we refer something to TSAC, we are not just dropping the issue, since Dave Cannon sits on TSAC and he and Mr.Valenti work