2010-01-10-WALKS-min - Laserfiche WebLink

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Members present: Jerry van Hook, Lucy Fletcher-Jones, Francine Stieglitz, Judy Crocker, Jeanne Krieger, Wayne Brooks, Elaine Celi The meeting was called to order at 11:05 am. The minutes of the December 2009 meeting were approved. Wayne Brooks on Sidewalk issues. A discussion was had concerning sidewalk obstructions which constrict the width of a sidewalk such that the sidewalk plow can not pass. A 48inch wide space is required for the plow. Obstructions include trees, poles, ledge, and driveway side mounds of removed snow.  One example is the School St/Roosevelt Rd intersection where ledge behind a telephone pole constricts the sidewalk width enough to interrupt the sidewalk plow. The opening is less than three feet wide and thusly the plow does not fit. In the spring, Mr. Brooks said that a cost could be determined which would be needed to rectify the spot. It presently can only be manually shoveled.  Another sidewalk obstruction on Adams St, where the guardrail is located below the East St intersection, was also mentioned as not plowable due to the width constriction caused by the proximity of the guardrail and the location of two telephone poles. The length is too long to be manually shovel and is on the service obstruction list.  Ms. Krieger suggested creating an adoptive obstruction program, whereby community members take charge of such situations. She mentioned that the SWC should ask LexCable to film DPW plowing our sidewalks and follow-up with a newspaper article explaining the hazards and difficulties of sidewalk obstructions. Mr. Brooks mentioned that the GIS and master list of sidewalks are being worked on by a contractor and is managed by the Engineering Dept. Also, the Hancock St rotary near Diamond Middle School needs an engineer to determine its reconfiguration. SRTS proudly announced that the committee has received written word that the Bowman School will receive a grant worth $455,000 for infrastructure improvements! This is nearly double the amount indicated earlier in the fall by MassDot. Improvements include the addition of a passive pedestrian crossing signal and sidewalk connectivity at Phillip/Pleasant Sts and an expansive length of sidewalk leading from Phillip though to Locust/Follen Rd. The first meeting with MassDOT is scheduled for early Jan2010. SRTS also welcomed Clarke Middle School as a MassDOT partner school, thanks to the efforts of Craig Weeks. Maryann McCall-Taylor from the Planning Dept discussed the proposed Stedman Rd improvements. Located off of Clarke Middle School access road near the tennis courts, construction of a new house on the existing gravel pedestrian path poses the question of how to best create the transition between the road with the new driveway and the path. The lower part of Stedmen from Brookside Ave to the new home will be paved for vehicle access, but above this point there is a steep and eroded section of the existing path between the new driveway and Farmcrest Ave. The contractor might be asked to help improve through drainage control and other measures. Used by students and those using the playing fields, this path connects to Marrett Rd.