2014-02-03-WALKS-min - Laserfiche WebLink

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Lexington Sidewalk Committee Meeting Minutes Monday, February 3, 2014, 9 AM Selectmen's Meeting Room Present: Jeanne Canale , Judy Crocker, Bettina McGimsey, Sean Osborne, Francine Stieglitz; Liaisons present: Elaine Celi, Hank Manz, Marc Valenti; Guest: John Livsey Judy Crocker called the meeting of the Sidewalk Committee (SWC) to order at 9:05 AM. 1.DPW and Engineering Updates: Ms. Crocker began by thanking DPW for the great work they have been doing to keep sidewalks cleared this winter. Hank Manz noted that a sidewalk that connects Militia Drive and Worthen Road is never plowed. Marc Valenti will look into who is responsible for that sidewalk. John Livsey provided an overview of what DPW will do to improve the Hancock Street rotary near Diamond Middle School. The traffic circle will be converted into a roundabout. Currently, drivers on Hancock Street have a straight-away to Burlington Road and often do not slow down despite the yield sign. Pedestrians are in conflict with vehicles right now with a great deal of traffic from North Hancock and Hamilton. Improvements will include the narrowing of the opening from Hancock to the rotary since the road and sidewalk will be pushed out into the current configuration by about 10 feet, causing cars to slow down; the building of an mid-roadway island in the crosswalk; and the proposed roadway will be further toward the center island resulting in a larger setback for the bushes at the end of the Diamond School driveway, thus improving sight lines. In addition, seven new handicapped-accessible ramps will be installed. Currently, the crosswalk on Burlington Street does not connect to North Hancock. The residents at 106 North Hancock have agreed to remove a large tree on their property which would allow for a sidewalk in front of their house. If the Town approves this tree removal, there is a possibility that there could be sidewalk from the Burlington crosswalk to North Hancock. Ms. Crocker asked whether TSAC might consider putting in a crosswalk on North Hancock if this sidewalk goes in. She also asked whether a pedestrian plaza might be created at the Diamond driveway intersection, given the large number of students that walk there from Diamond. Mr. Livsey said the funding would need to come from the school. Mr. Valenti noted that the current path is plowed with a pickup. Given how wide it is, there may be no need for the pedestrian plaza. Ms. Crocker than asked whether the circle would be landscaped to discourage students from walking across it. Mr. Livsey noted that LPS and the various schools affected should get information about this construction out to their communities. The intent is to build the roundabout during the summer prior to school starting in the fall. He also noted that there would be a connecting path from the corner house on Burlington, which is a religious school to the Diamond School driveway. Ms. Crocker noted that she will raise this with Safe Routes committees and will send information out about the construction after bus registration materials are sent. Francine Stieglitz asked how drivers would know to slow down at the roundabout. Mr. Livsey noted that there would be signs to slow down, as well as signs and triangular street markings showing the need to yield. All curbing on the streets in the area will be granite, which should further help to slow traffic. Mr. Livsey then provided an update on Robinson Road, which is currently in the permitting phase. A Conservation Commission hearing will be held in February as the site includes the need for extensive drainage. The Tree Committee will also need to approve the project. The plan is to go to bid this spring, with construction starting before school lets out and not being done until after school starts. The approximate timeline is from May through October. The intent is to stage the construction so that children will be able to walk to school. Ms. Crocker noted that the Transportation Mitigation Policy at Estabrook will be effective for September. They want to let people know what they are allowed to do in terms of