2014-05-05-WALKS-min - Laserfiche WebLink

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Lexington Sidewalk Committee Meeting Minutes Monday, May 5, 2014, 9 AM Selectmen's Meeting Room Present: Jeanne Canale, Judy Crocker, Mary Hosmer Fanucci, Bettina McGimsey, Francine Stieglitz; Liaisons present: Elaine Celi; Visitors: Bonnie Brown, Hank Manz, Craig Weeks Judy Crocker called the meeting of the Sidewalk Committee (SWC) to order at 9:08 AM. 1. Committee Membership: Ms. Crocker started the meeting by welcoming Bonnie Brown, Hank Manz, and Craig Weeks, all of whom are considering joining the SWC. Ms. Brown has followed the workings of the Estabrook Task Force and the ad hoc School Transportation Safety (STS) group closely for the last few years. Mr. Weeks was a member of STS, a former SWC chair, and has been a member of the Safe Routes to School (SRTS) town-wide committee for many years. Mr. Manz was the former liaison from the Board of Selectmen (BOS) to the SWC. Once a quorum of SWC members was present, the committee voted to recommend that the BOS appoint all three to the SWC. The committee also discussed that members need to be sure that they are able to attend meetings as often as possible. Ms. Crocker noted that she would remain on the SWC until SRTS finds a replacement for her role as chair. 2. DPW Update: No update was given, as Marc Valenti was unable to attend the meeting. 3. Safe Routes to School and Bike Walk 'n Bus Week Update: Ms. Crocker reported on a number of issues:  Ms. Crocker and Mary Ellen Dunn (Assistant Superintendent) will bring the question of where the home base of SRTS should be to the June quarterly Lexington Transportation Forum. The question is whether it should remain a sub committee of the SWC or if the program’s needs might be better met under the auspices of another transportation heading, such as LPS Transportation. Given the expanding scope of work that the Safe Routes To School program entails, it is critical that the person who holds the Coordinator role be properly supported by those in the school, facilities, and municipal departments.  The School Committee is currently undertaking draft policy readings of the School Traffic and Mitigation policy. The next reading will be May 13 with the final reading expected on June 10. It is critical that the policy be adopted during FY14 so that summer work on Clarke, Diamond, and LHS can proceed with the correct policy mission directives.  The Lexington List yahoo group had a discussion regarding the ticketing of cars on Brookside Avenue near Clarke Middle School. The confluence of two LPS events at Clarke (Bowman Talent Show and the return of a Clarke field trip) caused a major parking jam. Cars parked illegally were ticketed, raising the ire of the public given the lack of parking spaces at the school where they needed to be for the two different events. It was noted that LPS should inform the Lexington police when there may be possible traffic issues.  Another issue arose regarding the use of the Police Department’s electronic message signboard stating the dates of school bus subsidized registration and that queuing on Grove Street would not be allowed for school year 2014-2015. The latter was introduced by public safety officials in October of 2011. The Estabrook community had not been officially informed about this policy by school administration prior to this message on the signboard. A letter from Dr. Ash (LPS) and Police Chief Mark Corr is expected shortly that will communicate this policy. The hope was that this letter would have happened in early April so that families had time to understand the implications of the traffic policy on their commute, thus encouraging them to sign up for the bus during the sign up period when it was at the subsidized rate of $300 or consider walking, biking, or carpooling. As of May 16, the price of the bus will increase to $500, still subsidized, and as of July the rate will be the full freight of $745.  The Bridge Elementary School PTA and Site Council have requested a crossing guard to address the traffic issues at that school. Ms. Celi asked whether the Police Department has substitute crossing guards who could fill that need.