2009-10-05-WALKS-min - Laserfiche WebLink

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Lexington Sidewalk Committee Meeting Minutes of Oct 5, 2009, 11:00 am, Selectman's Board Room Members Present: Jerry Van Hook (chair), John Davies, Judy Crocker, Lucy Fletcher- Jones, Suzie Barry, Margaret Lotz, (secretary) Liaisons Present: Elaine Celi (Transportation), Jeanne Krieger (Board of Selectman), Wayne Brooks (DPW) Officer Sargant (TSAC and Lexington Police Department Officer Mazerall (Lexington Police Department) Visitors: Kathy Hildenbrand Agenda topics: 1) The September minutes were approved. 2) Discussion of a proposed sidewalk along the south side of Concord Ave from Waltham St to Spring St. Kathy Hildenbrand said that the 5 Fields neighborhood was preparing a presentation of their proposal for the town to build a sidewalk on Concord Ave. She informed us that the traffic increase was alarming and that neighbors who previously walked along Concord Ave are now too afraid of the rushing and dangerous traffic. Kathy attributes this increase to the new or expanding businesses in the area including Cubist, Shire, those in the Ledgemont Center as well as the Post Office facility on the end of Spring St. She has attended the Cubist and Shire expansion meetings in an effort to learn what their plans are. Jeanne recommended that the town engineer look at the street. Even if businesses indicate a willingness to contribute to a sidewalk, there could be engineering difficulties, such as the right of way problem near Avalon 2. 3) Riding bicycles on sidewalks in Lexington outside the town center. Jerry said that Francine received an email questioning whether bicyclists should be allowed to ride on the sidewalks. Jerry said that bike riding on sidewalks in the town center is definitely not allowed, and concluded that it probably is not allowed in the rest of the town. John asked whether that wasn't established law. Jeanne said people need to use common sense and that children should be on sidewalks. Suzie reported that at Estabrook, it was common practice for bikers and pedestrians to share the sidewalk, but that bikers should have bells or give warning of their approach. We agreed that although pedestrians have the right of way, the sidewalks can be shared if everyone uses common sense and courtesy. 4) Jerry asked whether the Sidewalk Committee should become involved in non-sidewalk issues, especially those related to crosswalks such as the flag carrying project of East Lexington's Safe Mass Avenue Committee or the Hancock St. Rotary near Diamond Middle School. Jerry wondered if the Sidewalk Committee should be promoting the use of flags in other parts of town. Both Officer Mazerall and Jeanne stressed that the East Lexington flag project was in its earliest stages and that the sidewalk committee should wait until its effectiveness is known before advocating the use of flag carrying at crosswalks. Officer Sargant added that the flashing green light on East Mass Ave will be changed to flashing yellow, meaning drivers slow down. (Flashing green means that the