1985-06-BOS-min - Laserfiche WebLink

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]' SELECTMEN'S MEETING PON � ' � June 3, 1985 r. A regular meeting of the Board of Selectmen was held on Monday, June 3, 1985, in the Selectmen's Meeting Room, Town Office Building at 7: p .m . Mr. Marshall, Mr. McLaughlin, Mr. Eddison; Mr. Hutchinson, Town Manager; Mrs. Snow, Executive Clerk, were present. George Burnell, Chairman, and members Edmund Grant , Sally Castleman and N., L ex, Bil 1 S couler of the North Lexington Traffic Improvements Study Committee were Road present for submission of the Co interim recommendations and con- Impr. S turfy clusions on the Bedford Street Improvement Plans. Mr. Burnell reported on Committee meetings with BS C Engineering, State officials and, a representative of the FHWA. The report presented represented the views of 8 of the 9 members. Larry Smith will file a minority report in the future, . Mr, Burnell said the majority of the Committee felt the proposed plans were excessive in design and not in scale with the area as a doorway to Lexington and the community beyond. It was proposed that the project be scaled down to a level more appropriate to the town of Lexington, in a manner which would still increase traffic flow and be consistent with safety considerations. The Committee also had concerns about the additional traffic and develop- ment that such a road would attract in Bedford and Hanscom Field, as well as in Lexington, as was feared when the Hartwell Avenue Connector was proposed. mom The Committee supported the resolution made at the 1984 Town .Meeting in opposition to any plan which does not provide more d it ect access between Eldred and Bedford Street. . Mr. Burnell recommended that the proposed plan be temporarily set aside and that the initial phase of an alternate design concept be pursued that would be a roadway in scale with the existing residential neighborhood, inter- faced with the commercial interests. The Committee suggested two, rather than three, travel lanes in each direction; a shoulder/breakdown lane instead of a frontage road; an intersection at Eldred Street; and retention of a grade separation at Hartwell Avenue, Mr. Burnell listed the major concerns of the Committee as follows: access to Eldred Street from Bedford Street excessive pavement width safe pedestrian crossing of Bedford Street appropriate screening on median strip environment impacts* water table, noise, air pollution increased commercialization of the area Mr. Burnell noted strong local opposition to the plan, as well as in other areas, and in three - other, towns. He felt that jug handle underpass and a way for Bedford Street res i dents to safely :enter and exit Bedford Street from their driveways were laudable features of the current plan. Other issues such as a direct Hartwell Avenue Connector and the concern that the current plan would encourage development were addressed. Further recommendations of the Committee centered on Town control of the traffic signs in the project area to facilitate the process of changing phasing timings if necessary and continued Committee involvement which, be- cause of its experience, would be of benefit to the Town,