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Town of Lexington
Center Streetscape Design Review Ad Hoc CommitteeMeeting
Thursday, July 26, 2016
The meeting was held in the Parker Room, Lexington Town Hall, Lexington, MA.
The meeting was called to order at approximately 8:10 AM.by Mr. Levin. Attendees were
welcomed and asked to sign in and provide contact information.Including Mr. Levin, those
attending the meeting were, in alphabetical order: Virginia Buckley, Nancy Corcoran Ronchetti,
Anne Eccles, John W. Frey, Jonathan A. Himmell, ElaineDoran, Wendall C. Kalsow, Timothy
D. Lee, Wendy Manz, Eric J. Michelson, Pamela F. Shadley, John Livsey, David Pinsonneault,
Sarah Forrester, Keri Zeder, Fred Johnson, Michael Martignetti, Gerry Paul, David Kucharsky,
Mark Connor, Lee Connor, Elizabeth Brach, Margie Sharfin, Michelle Ciccolo.
The 7/12/16 Work Plan was circulated.
Mr. Levin announced he won’t be able to make the August 9, 2016 meeting so the next meeting
of the Ad Hoc Committee will be August 15, 2016.
A discussion re: Tier I deliverables ensued. Mr. Levin told the group that the deadline of the
Report to the Board of Selectmen is September 15, 2016. He asked for volunteers to help write
the foregoing Report.
Mr. Levin then said the last major presentation before the Committee would be made today. He
then called on Ms. Virginia Buckley, on behalf of the Commission on Disability, to giveher
presentation. She presentedan overview of the Commissionand provided some Commission
highlights, talked about her expertise, the challenges people with disabilities face everyday, her
involvement with the Massachusetts Office of Disabilities on both a Regional and Statewide
basis, the desireto ensure pedestrian safety at cross-walks and sidewalks, havingtheTown make
access for all a priority, makingsure all surfaces are even because when sidewalk surfaces (i.e.,
bricks) and sidewalk seams and curb cuts are uneven,itcausesboth accessibility problems and
vibration issues challengesfor individuals with disabilities. Ms. Buckley indicated that 2,000 –
3,000Town citizens are affected.
She also talked about the challenges Ithaca, New York faced because of the area’s weather
conditions (i.e., impact from frost heaves) and what the community chose to doabout it. She
added that if the wrong surface is chosen, it matters tothe elderly, to those with physical
disabilities and families with baby strollers. She said it’s about functionality and health.
She added that there is another installation choice to think about. She then discussed concrete
with brick edges. She said this design enhances "wayfinding"for people with visual disability
and the Commission prefers this option. Ms. Buckley also talked about the life cycle costs per
square yardvs. the square yardcosts of concrete with brick edges.
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In closing her presentation, Ms. Buckley added that the Commission will continue to be active in
the community with respect to access for those residents with disabilities who need it. It was
also noted during the meeting that today is the anniversary of the American with Disabilities Act.
After Ms. Buckley’s presentation, a discussion ensued and the Committee agreed to look at
lighting again because there has been only onepresentation on this subject so far.
Mr. Levin talked about the Tier I Report and when it’s due and about comments participants
have re: the Work Plan Review.
Mr. Dave Pinsonneault stated that the DPW is going to ensure that the importance of the
installation of any surface in the Center will be properly vetted and discussed with stakeholder
groups.
A discussion of the 2002 Pearlman study ensued, including persons/groups funding it, what the
newer 2010 studies have shownbased on gender and disabilities and the ratings the 68
participants gave, i.e., 8 were very satisfied, 17 were satisfied, 13 were neutral, 21 were kind of
neutral while 7 were unsure. Mr. Levin also reminded the group ofanother take away from Mr.
Pearlman’s study -measuring vibrations \[levels\]. Ms. Smith cautioned the group about making
broad statements about children in wheelchairs and vibration levels because it can be based on
preference.
A general group discussion ensued, including street slope impact(s), what the City of Cambridge
and the Boston Harbor Hotel have done, maintenance budgets for re-grouting bricks; what other
Town Committees/groups (i.e., Capital, Operations) are working on this;and, once installed,
what the maintenance and upkeep budget costs will begoing forward. Mr. Levin said that the
Ad Hoc Committee will make includefuture costs projections, etc.
The group also discussed the merits of(i) grouting versus stone dust, what the installation,
replacement andupdate costs will be and(ii) the installation of wire cut brick with no bevel
edges on a bituminous or cement/concrete base.
Mr. Levin added that the Ad Hoc Committee needs to have some idea of installation costs and
that the group will need to look at the entire overall project costs because the Board of Selectman
will want this info as well along with other integrated parts (i.e., crosswalks) along the way.
It was asked if there has been, or will be,a presentation by the brick industry. Although the
answer was no, it was felt that more expertise from this industry and possibly others as the
project moves forward would be helpful. There was also a reminder from Mr. Levin to the
Committee that what the Committee puts forth/recommends will go first to the Board of
Selectmen for a decision and then to Town Meeting depending on the Board’s decision.
Looking aheadprocedurally, with respect the Committee’s final Report to the Board of
Selectmen, Mr. Levin took a straw poll of voting members to determine if the Committee will
need to write a Minority Report for the Board of Selectmen as well.The straw poll results
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showed preference in favor of brick in the center with a concrete surface mix (i.e., concrete or
bituminous surfaces outside of center).
After the preliminary votewas taken, a subgroup was formed to look into various options.
Subgroup Members will be: Jonathon A. Himmel, Victoria C. Buckley, Pamela F. Shadley, and
Anne L. Eccles. Mr. Levin also said that the Committee canextend an invitation to the HDCto
come to a meeting of the Ad Hoc Committee.
Before adjourning, a general discussion ensued re: the different types of street lighting options
there are when replacing existing lighting. The group also agreed that lighting in crosswalk areas
will absolutely need attention and choosing the appropriate lighting in these areasis essential. It
was agreed more information re: the foregoing will be brought back to the Ad Hoc groupfor
review and discussion.
Before adjourning the meeting, Mr. Levin asked the group (as per the Work plan) if the
consultants should be asked to attend our next meeting. The group said no and suggested the
August 23, 2016 date.
Motion to Adjourn was moved by Ms. Eccles with a second from Ms. Shadley.Motion was
unanimously adopted.
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