2015-04-06-WALKS-min - Laserfiche WebLink

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Lexington Sidewalk Committee Meeting Minutes Monday, April 6, 2015 Selectmen's Meeting Room, Town Office Building Present: Craig Weeks, Jeanne Canale, Judy Crocker, Mary Hosmer Fanucci, Francine Stieglitz. Absent: Sean Osborne Liaisons: Michelle Cicollo (BOS), Marc Valenti (DPW) The meeting of the Sidewalk Committee (SWC) was called to order at 9:15 AM. 1.Public Comment: Westminster/Lowell Intersection – Kristin Reed of 15 Westminster Avenue requested a sidewalk to be installed so that her daughter may walk to school safely. She was directed to the SWC by the town Engineering department. The sidewalk requested is not budgeted in the project. Mr. Weeks directed Ms. Reed to the SWC website to learn the procedure for pursuing a new sidewalk. Ms. Reed wanted to know the turnaround time for a request. Mr. Weeks indicated it could be as long as a year or more due to meeting requirements, etc. Mr. Valenti added that now is a good time to add the sidewalk, given the work already happening. However, the benefit of the sidewalk needs to be understood. And, the procedures for getting a sidewalk should be followed, including gathering signatures, etc. Ms. Crocker suggested that the requested sidewalk is relatively small, so perhaps it could be added to the existing road construction. Ms. Ciccolo added that the sidewalk may or may not happen depending on budgetary constraints. Access to new Senior Center: Norma Floyd was concerned about Senior Center Access. However, now that the snow has melted and the access is visible, she is no longer worried about this issue. Cedar Street: Ted Bergey, 29 Greenwood Street, called the Selectmen’s office indicating that he thought a sidewalk should be installed on Cedar Street. Ms. Stieglitz called him and followed up with an email. Mr. Bergey said that he submitted the request “to essentially provide the sidewalk committee with information of a significant public safety issue and to hope that will provide the incentive for the committee to investigate that need as appropriate. Hill Street traffic safety concerns: In attendance were Miranda Clarke of 18 Hill Street, and Bettina McGimsey of 7 Hamblen Street. They recently became aware that Hill Street is scheduled to be repaved. They are very concerned about this because the road is already dangerous. The subject of a sidewalk on this road was first addressed in 2009. In 2010 15 residents shared their concerns about the road, but never submitted anything to the SWC. Ms. Clarke said that the road is a key access route for students traveling to Hastings and Diamond. There is foot traffic to Bedford Street, the 62 bus, Lexpress. It is also a cut through from Route 128, and an access route to the Bike Path. Ms McGimsey said that the road is also traveled by many non-residents going to both Pine Meadows and Lexington Golf Club. The neighborhood has no easy access to Mass Avenue or Bedford Street due to lack of sidewalks. During the last week, Ms. Clarke and Ms McGimsey collected information from Hill Street neighborhood residents. 27 responded to a quick survey. There are 65 residents on a Google group. 51 have emailed their support for this project. People on Diana Lane, Childs Road, Bedford Street and others are worried about the speed and volume of cars on Hill Street. There is also a lack of signage, no bike lane, nor crosswalks. No one has indicated they oppose a new