HomeMy WebLinkAbout2005-03-14-WALKS-min
SIDEWALK COMMITTEE
Minutes of March 14, 2005 Meeting
The first meeting of Lexington¹s Sidewalk Committee was convened by
Selectman Jeanne Krieger at 12 noon on 3/14/05. The Committee was formed
pursuant to a Board of Selection resolution at its meeting on 11/29/04, its
purpose being to create a committee to advise the Selectmen on policy for
sidewalks throughout Town and to develop these recommendations based on
broad citizen input. The committee would also draw on the recommendations
of the Transportation Element of the 2003 Comprehensive Plan. The overall
objective is to encourage pedestrian activity through safe and convenient
walkways for recreation, for commuting, and for general use, thereby
enhancing the health and well being of all..
The charge to the Committee, if warranted, would be to recommend a
plan for sidewalk construction with a suggested priority list and with
recommended construction standards. The placement of new sidewalks and
upgrading of others would be chosen with help from the School Dept. and the
PTA, to enhance safe routes to schools and playfields. Other objectives
would be to develop recommendations for sidewalk maintenance, particularly
for snow removal, and to recommend methods for financing the proposed
plan.
The Committee, about 20 in number, consists of four Ex Officio
representatives of town offices,seven PTA members, a representative
from the DPW , and a cross section of interested citizens from diverse
neighborhoods. Length of term is 3 years on a rotating basis Monthly
public meetings are planned with sub-committee meetings arranged when
needed.
Existing Data on Sidewalks
Wayne Brooks from Lexington DPW showed a map of the sidewalks currently
plowed in winter and described plans to acquire new snow removal equipment
for more efficient and possibly expanded operations. He said about one
third of the 142 miles of roadway in town are plowed , primarily in areas
for school access but also in heavy use areas. Since plowing all sidewalks
would be cost-prohibitive, Krieger emphasized the need for cooperation from
citizens in snow removal near their homes and businesses and the Committee¹s
important role in promoting their help..
On the sidewalks inventory, Jerry Van Hook described how the Bicycle
Committee had made a town-wide survey in 2001.These data, combined with DPW
records, was used to generate the Transportation Element map of 2003. He
mentioned the ongoing volunteer work by the BAC on new boardwalks and other
trail upgrades with help from CLC to improve pedestrian/bicycle access to
schools via public lands. John Davies noted that condition of all
sidewalks should be inventoried as well to identify and prioritize needed
repairs.. Krieger suggested this data should be entered on the web in a map
format. Craig Weeks said that GPS location of sites needing repair or other
attention could be readily tied into map data to facilitate this process.
Safety Issues
Victoria Buckley, a Disability Commisson member, spoke of the
need to enforce no bicycle/skateboard/in-line skater travel on Town Center
sidewalks which endangers the disabled and elderly. Better signage is
needed to alert citizens to the problem and to warn about the $50 fine for
such behavior. Olga Guttag advanced the opinion that pedestrians should not
be asked to walk in bicycle lanes created along busy roadways. Others
emphasized the need for curb cuts and safe roadway crossing arrangements as
a necessary adjunct to sidewalk improvements.
Child safety and air quality issues at school drop off and pick up
sites, particularly due to large and unweildly SUV¹s, was mentioned by
several parents. In contrast, the health benifits and sociability
engendered by walking were seen as a boon for all. Several parents said
the risks to children walking alone could be avoided by cooperative
arrangements among parents of those involved. With older children, some
simple rules about walking or bicycling together to schools and
playgrounds, coupled with awareness training might further improve
conditions.
Committee Initiatives
Jeanne Krieger suggested that the Committee should begin by organizing
around five broad objectives, assigning interested members to one or more of
subcommittees, each with an assigned leader. Craig Weeks agreed to serve as
chairman of the Sidewalk Committee, approved by unanimous vote...
The first task was the formation of a Community Focus Team to promote
the benifits of better walking conditions by arranging a series of public
meetings designed to promote public involvement and support. The group
leader is Sue-Ellen Briggs with six additional members who agreed to help in
this effort.. .
The second task was to assign a website manager for the project. Lucy
Fletcher-Jones agreed to do this task, thus providing the information outlet
for public dialog via the internet.
The third subcommittee was created to investigate the policies used by
other communities to promote safe walking and resolve sidewalk issues. The
group leader is Lisa Baci with two others on her committee. Olga offered
data on this subject.
The fourth subcommittee will be charged with developing a town wide
inventory of existing sidewalks and a prioritized list of necessary
repairs. Maps will be generated showing current and projected sidewalk
plowing, bike paths, and roadway crossings and curb cuts.. John Davies is
group leader and has four members to help in this task.
The fifth subcommittee will focus on safe routes to schools in
Lexington, This subcommittee is not yet assigned members or leader. its
task will be to make recommendations about access impriovements to one or
more schools based on the information from other subcommittees, coupled with
input from the public. Its members will be drawn from the schools, the PTA,
and from residents representing different school districts.
The meeting was adjourned at 1 PM. The next committee meeting time and
place will be set by Chairman Weeks and will take place in approximately one
month, depending on scheduling. Subcommittees will meet on their own
initiative.
Respectively submitted
Jerry Van Hook