2019-06-06-COD-min - Laserfiche WebLink

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- People with disabilities have problems traveling over uneven surfaces, as do elderly citizens and young mothers with strollers. There is an important “fatigue factor’ associated with traveling over bricks for those with mobility issues. - Segmented discrete pavers have lots of seams and irregularities which cause tripping hazards for all. - Vibration issues cause spasticity, pain, loss of balance and disturbances of correct positional seating. - Pathways that are not smooth are almost impassable for those with neurological disorders and/or visual issues. - The variegation in brick creates depth perception issues and “neurological noise” issues.  Commission on Disability originally proposed the use of concrete with bricks on the sides for decorative edge treatment because it is a safer and smoother approach to sidewalks. - This type of sidewalk also helps people with visual, sensory and neurological problems since it offers way-finding features. Many neighboring towns have already adopted this choice. - This is in accordance with resolution passed in Town Meeting in 2015 as Article 42: “To provide a welcoming and comfortable experience for individuals of all abilities, the Town will endeavor at all times to use smooth, safe and aesthetically appropriate materials when constructing sidewalks and other passageways on town-owned walkways. Bricks and other small discrete pavers may be used as decorative edge treatments, but shall always be installed to create the smoothest surface possible, ensuring safety for citizens who have trouble traversing uneven surfaces.”  Commission on Disability has concerns about the proposed wire-cut brick sidewalks: - We have never seen “one done right” in our climate. - We question smoothness claims. It defies logic that segmented pavers are smoother than surfaces with fewer seams. - Even if the claims of superior smoothness can be substantiated, it does not answer all of our concerns anyway, such as depth perception and neurological noise due to variegation. - We question the high cost of the proposed sidewalks, asking citizens with disabilities to pay taxes on what they cannot use safely. - We worry about maintenance in our climate. Who will monitor this? Other places like Boston replace “tipped bricks’ with patches. - The demographics of Lexington are changing as the percentage of elders is increasing. The Council on Aging was not part of the Ad Hoc Streetscape Committee.  Commission on Disability has special concerns about the proposed brick curb cuts for crosswalks. We need concrete ramps with federal yellow rumble strips.