2011-02-01-WALKS-min - Laserfiche WebLink

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1/2 Lexington Sidewalk Committee Meeting Minutes Monday, February 1, 2011, 11 AM Present: Judy Crocker, John Davies, Lucy Fletcher-Jones, Francine Stieglitz, Jerry Van Hook (Chair); Liaisons: Richard Canale (Planning Board), Elaine Celi( Transportation), Marc Valenti (DPW). The meeting was called to order at 11:08 AM. 1.The January 2011 minutes were approved as amended. 2.Francine Stieglitz reviewed the latest draft of the “Process for Requesting New Sidewalk Installation” with the committee. The committee altered some wording and added an introductory paragraph. Richard Canale questioned if the document needed to include references to TSAC and traffic calming measures. The ensuing discussion concluded that other committees may in some ways parallel the SWC efforts and TSAC is generally involved with crosswalk issues only. The SWC refers to its master plan when making recommendations regarding new sidewalks or other budgetary outlays and such recommendations can be found in the Committee’s posted meeting minutes. The question was raised if TSAC should have a liaison on the SWC. While the SWC does not have a member sitting on that town committee either, it does make overtures to other town bodies when it necessary. 3.There was no reported correspondence to the SWC website on SWC issues this month. 4.The issue of the legalities of snow removal from private property was discussed. The present town by-law contains nothing specific regarding homeowner responsibility for snow removal from abutting sidewalks. However, homeowners are responsible for hired contactors if they leave snow on the sidewalks or if snow falls off a roof and impedes sidewalk use. Mark Valenti expressed frustration at the continued abuse of some citizens who throw their unwanted snow onto town streets and sidewalks. There is presently no fine in the present by-law for offenders. It was acknowledged that this has been a most unusual winter with its record amount of snowfall and no January thaw to reduce its presence. It is taxing on everyone and there are limited places to place additional snow. DPW has resorted to the LPD to issue warnings to repeat offenders. It was proposed that a warrant article from the SWC be submitted to Town Meeting requesting a formal warning and fine schedule be added to the present snow removal by-law in order to better deter citizens from placing snow in public ways. Such a warrant article would strengthen the town by-law. 5.The Safe Routes To School program was updated. The Lexington program is featured in the winter edition of the MA DOT e-newsletter. The article discussed the basic mechanics of the town program and included a color photo of the November Turkey