2021-06-03-GCC-min - Laserfiche WebLink

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to add a crosswalk on Concord Ave. • Bridge School Boardwalk Update: Mal has met with the Engle Scout candidate who has taken on the project to complete the 3rd section of the Bridge School Boardwalk. The Scout is working on his proposal and expects to complete the project this year. Mal has provided him with examples of cost estimates and other materials. Amber reported that the Conservation Dept has not received any other project requests from Scouts. New Business: • Comprehensive Plan: The updating of the Comprehensive Plan is spearheaded by the Planning Department. An open meeting on June 15 will focus on Open Space and Recreation. Karen expressed the importance of having GCC representation at that meeting, and Bob Creech also emphasized the importance of the June 15th meeting and our presence there. Mike and Stephen volunteered to represent the GCC at the meeting and other committee members who are available will join. In preparation for the meeting Keith sent the ACROSS concept map to Amanda Loomis for use at the meeting. Keith added circles to the map in areas where we have future projects. Keith stressed the importance of having our existence and our plans acknowledged in the open space and recreation portion of the Comprehensive Plan update. Bob Creech informed us that two new consultants who are experienced in comprehensive planning have recently been hired to work on the development of the plan. As part of this discussion, it was noted that we have the opportunity to collaborate our planning with Parks and Rec starting late in the summer. • Proposed website enhancements: Susan, Mike and Keith will meet to discuss ideas for connecting the information on the wayfaring signs with the ACROSS map on the town's website. They hope to have a meeting with Kathy Santos to discuss this. • Trail Apps: Regarding google map applications, Susan noted that Wellesley has an app with which users can walk along and see where they are on the map in real time. Lexington uses AppGeo for its GIS work. Susan spoke with a former neighbor who worked there. He explained that an additional layer could be added to allow walkers to identify where they are in real time on our maps. Bob noted this would have to be integrated with our QR codes. It may be possible to do an overlay with the points of interest on the ACROSS brochure (as well as parking, restaurants, and other pertinent information). Keith, Mike and Susan will include this when they meet with Kathy Santos to investigate AppGeo and see what skills are needed to do this kind of integration. Francesca felt that the Rec Dept would also be interested in this capability. • ACROSS brochure: In conjunction with the discussion on trail apps, the committee discussed the need and utility of the ACROSS brochure, which provides both a paper map and information about points of interest. Mike noted that the values of paper versus on-line information brings up the question of how we communicate with our current and potential users as well as the more basic questions of how do we publicize the ACROSS system, and find out who are the users of the system and how frequently they use it. Susan noted there are search optimization algorithms that could help publicize the ACROSS system. She will try to learn more about these for our next meeting.