HomeMy WebLinkAbout2012-06-25-GCC-minMINUTES
Greenways Corridor Committee
25 June 2012, 4:30 -6 pm
Legion Room, Cary Hall
Present: Peggy Enders, Eileen Entin, Bob Hausslein, Stew Kennedy, Mike Tabaczynski ; Keith Ohmart and
Rick Abrams on phone for discussion of ACROSS Lexington subcommittee report)
Absent: Alex Dohan, Paul Knight
1. Votes:
• May 21 meeting Minutes, amended to reflect clearer description of status of possible trail
easement at Waltham St property, were approved as amended. - approved
• Minutes of the June 12 ACROSS subcommittee meeting were submitted for the information
of the committee
2. Current Business:
Wood St. trail improvement: The Conservation Commission approved Jay's land management concept.
He had suggested trail from Conestoga be connected to existing trails in Katanden woods. Next, the
GCC needs to file an RDA.
Across Lexington Subcommittee Report: Eileen presented two alternative designs for the ACROSS
Lexington trail marker. The icon is a 3- cornered hat (which has also been interpreted as a bicycle seat).
In one design, the ACROSS acronym appears on the hat; in the other it appears below it. Rick noted
that he showed it to others and they liked the design; they responded positively to the ambiguity of the
icon. There was a mixed response to the image itself, with some feeling that the hat needs to be
sharpened up. However, there was consensus that having the ACROSS below the hat was preferable.
Keith noted that, based on his experience, once you establish a brand w/ logo, it doesn't matter if there
is instant recognition of the icon; the key here is just that it represents icon of ACROSS Lexington. Sense
of full committee is that the ACROSS subcommittee make the final decision, taking into account the
strong preference of those present for the lettering outside the hat. they hope the subcommittee will
go with something like the one on the left.
Eileen reported that the subcommittee will meet with the Conservation Commission on 24 of July and
with the Historic District Commission on July 11.
The subcommittee has talked with Dave Cannon about signposts that need to be signed on town rights
of way; 4 x 4 wooden posts are acceptable to him; Rick will touch base w/ Karen Simmons re anything
that touches recreation land — however Stew noted that the initial ACROSS route does not cross rec
land.
The route does go through Diamond School property, which is Pat Goddard's bailiwick. Stew suggested
that fence on the property won't be moved by Sept, so we should have a good contingency plan. Keith
noted there are ample telephone poles on which signs can be placed, but there was a question of
whether we will need a post in the Diamond school parking lot.
Keith noted before purchasing, we will need to go back to the Board of Selectmen for final approval.
Peggy questioned whether the Design Advisory Committee needs to be involved - will HDC ask about
that? Stew suggested checking with Dave Pinsonneault before going to HDC.
Report from June 6 transportation forum: Peggy, Stew, and Rick attended the forum: everyone thought
it was an excellent idea. There were updates from four town staffers : John Livsey (Town Engineer),
David Koncharsky (Transportation Planner), Melisa Tintocalis (Economic Development Officer) and
Jeanette Rebecci (Transportation Services Officer); all gave interesting and helpful presentations on
what their office is doing and what they see that needs to be done. Rick presented the ACROSS
Lexington concept at the forum and those presented responded enthusiastically. Peggy described status
of the DCR grant the Bicycle Advisory Committee is directing, with the goal of improving wayfinding and
user amenities along the Bikeway in Lexington. This forum will occur 3 or 4 times per year. Stew and
Peggy guessed the next one will occur in early fall. Stew noted the meeting is open to the public and
urged GCC members to attend.
Pellam Road access update: Bob has a meeting set up with the Youville Place folks (Donna Pearson and
a local person )in Cambridge (July 24 at 1 pm). The purpose of meeting is to present the general trail
concept to them. Bob suggested that either Tom Whalen or Stew come to talk about "soft nature."
Diamond trail project update: Mike has pin - flagged the trail very precisely. Stew has talked with the
scout who is going to do the project, and he is following through, and will probably do this in July.
3. New Business:
Peggy talked about set of paths, which surround the town in Davis, CA. The vision of the town is to
make it bike friendly. Peggy would like to see a bike - friendly vision for Lexington. As an example she
suggested that walkways should be incorporated when new subdivisions are put in. This fits in with
ACROSS Lexington, and its goal to make it friendly to get around without cars.
Mike asked whether anyone had comments about his sign plan; Bob noted that implementation on the
ACROSS trail will be a concrete example. Mike will send an updated version later this week.
The meeting was adjourned at 5:35.