HomeMy WebLinkAbout2013-12-05-STAS-minAd Hoc School Transportation and Safety Study Committee
December 5, 2013 at gam
Conference Room, Central Administration Blg
Meeting Minutes
1. Attending: Judy Crocker, Elaine Celi (LPS Transportation), Elaine Dratch, MaryEllen
Dunn (Asst Superintendent), Cptn Manny Ferro, Jessie Steigerwald, Craig Weeks
Guests: Bonnie Brown, Shannon Maloney, Al Montgomery
2. Meeting minutes from November were accepted as amended.
3. 2014 Committee Meeting Calendar
Approved as amended with the Jan meeting was changed to Jan 9.
4. Proposed LPS School Traffic Safety and Mitigation Policy
Clarke - The Clarke infrastructure improvement project is underway. The project's
scope has been expanded to address Stedman Rd and the chosen firm is Beta
Engineering. It will include a second bus loop and deal with parking and drainage
issues. There is also the need for a loading zone for students. Presently, C &W
drivers help train the students to wait safely before loading the buses.
Shawn Newell is looking at an old plan to connect Stedman St to Marrett. Presently,
Clarke's school zone is not on Waltham St. Therefore, the Committee would like t
investigate the feasibility of constructing a pervious walking path through the
conservation area between Waltham St and Stedman. This would become the
gateway to the school as an ecofriendly access. Additionally, a GPS is needed per
school. In particular, it does not work for Clarke.
Survey - Ms. Dunn forwarded it to David Kucharsky of the Planning Dept for
LexEngage distribution and Town Moderator Deb Brown for Town Meeting.
Comments from 9 schools have been received.
Budget - The budget will include traffic monitors /bus captains. Ms. Dunn will meet
with Cptn Ferro about crossing guards. Facilities is working on the mechanical
design plan.
Bridge - Cptn Ferro will address TSAC about neighborhood traffic calming
concerns and pedestrian safety. LPD will conduct a speed and count study.
Proposals include moving the school speed limit sign coming from Prospect Hill to
Middleby St to the Outlook Drive intersection. Dave Cannon is investigating line of
sight concerns at a proposed new crosswalk location at Wachusett Drive and
Prospect Hill.
5. LHS Media Class Public Service Announcement Project
Bill Cole's high school class is looking for suggestions for its next spring
transportation public service announcement project. Ideas included:
• Walk to school in the winter time
• On the bus you can text and ride.
• Passing a school bus displaying its flashing lights is illegal
• Helmet safety - it's the law
• Remove ear buds for bike and pedestrian safety
• Ecofriendly transit options
• Get where you want to go - Independence thru transportation
• Bike etiquette
• Parents are the traffic
6. New Business
• Estabrook Update: Mr. Goddard and Ms. Trach will be presenting the interim
traffic plan to the SC on Dec 17. The Committee has significant concerns that
the lack of communication with STS and LPD over these plans. Without
proper public safety input, it is felt that any backlash involving the lack of
effectiveness with these plans will become a school bus issue. Cptn Ferro
stated that the no parking has yet to be posted on Robinson Rd and that the
roadway will be improved during 2014. It was noted that the interim traffic
plan contradicts the proposed traffic policy.
• Mr. Montgomery inquired about making the school buses WiFi with
hotspots, such as being done in Arizona.
Our next meeting will be January 9, 2014 at gam in the Conference Room at Central
Administration.
Respectively submitted,
Judy Crocker