2008-10-29-WALKS-min - Laserfiche WebLink

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Minutes of the public meeting on the question of installing a sidewalk on Roosevelt Rd. October 29th,2008 7:00pm-9:00pm Hastings Elementary School Gymnasium Hosted by Lexington Sidewalk Committee(SWC), Chair Jerry Van Hook Attended by SWC members: Laura Cecere, Judy Crocker, Susie Barrie,Francine Steiglitz and Margaret Lotz JVH began the meeting by stating that its purpose was to determine whether the community has, as a priority, a sidewalk on Roosevelt Rd as a safety measure for the students at Hastings. The SWC asked for an open public meeting because plans for a sidewalk on the south side of Roosevelt has met with opposition from potential abutters. JVH related that last summer [summer of 2007] the SWC had a number of discussions on which side of Roosevelt a sidewalk should be installed. Wayne Brooks said the south side was less complicated. Mr. Ham appeared before the October 6th 2008 SWC meeting at which he presented a petition against a sidewalk on the south side. Mr. Ham explained at the Oct. 6 SWC meeting that there were complications on the south side, and a number of reasons why the south side was a bad idea. JVH stated that this evening's discussion would be in two parts: first, arguments for or against a sidewalk; second, if a sidewalk were installed, which side. Rich Canale,Planning Board Liaison He is in favor of a sidewalk as presented by the SWC. When questioned by an audience member as to why,Rich stated that Lexington wanted to keep the streets as friendly as possible to pedestrians and bicyclists as well as cars and to encourage more walking. Audience member questioned why the south side that forced children to cross the base of Roosevelt? Michele Wilson,resident of Wilson Road She has seen cars driving through the do not enter signs where Crosby exits the school grounds and cars parked on both sides of the street. She feels it would be a waste of money to build a sidewalk because these other sources of confusion would remain. Rod Cole,member of the Lexington School Board and resident of School St. He stated that he walks his twin 3rd graders every morning to Hastings and made the following comments: Roosevelt is a heavily traveled road with parking on both sides that snow only causes to worsen. Also contributing to the traffic are people rushing off to work. It's a very dangerous situation. He added that as a School Committee member who has examined the demographics, he feels that Hastings is not closing as far as he is concerned. Even if Hastings were not closing,Roosevelt still needs a sidewalk because it's too dangerous. A sidewalk is simple, straightforward engineering that would help avoid the tragedy of a child getting hit. JVH asked Jane Kalinski, Safe Routes to School Chair at Hastings, whether she had any news pertaining to the possible closing of Hastings School. Jane said that she had an email from Dr. Ash, School Superintendent, which stated that the news of Hastings being