HomeMy WebLinkAbout2005-05-02-WALKS-min
SIDEWALK COMMITTEE
Minutes of May 2, 2005 Meeting
The Lexington Sidewalk Committee meeting was convened by Chairman
Craig Weeks at 12 noon in the Selectman’s Meeting Room. A motion was MSP to
accept the minutes of the April 14 meeting.
COMMITTEE UPDATES:
Community focus group: Sue-Ellen Briggs said that the survey results
on parent preferences for safe access to Lexington schools were coming in.
approximately 100 responses from Bridge Elementary and 112 responses from
Bowman Elementary. The provisional results from the latter indicate about
10% of students currently walk, 40% are driven, and 45% are bussed. More
than half of the Bowman parents would allow their children to walk/bike if
there were improved sidewalks and paths, especially if accompanied by other
parents. These are encouraging findings. Sue-Ellen further stated that her
focus group was working on a presentation for a series of public meetings in
early fall.
Olga stated that Rep. Ann Paulson had introduced a Bicycle Bill of
Rights legislation at the State House. She also reported that there was an
effort afoot in Arlington to exclude bicycling in the Safe Routes to School
program because of parental fears for the health and safety of their
children. The Hardy School, Arlington notified parents in Nov. 2004 to that
effect. Several groups in Arlington including the organization CYCLE KIDS
(http://www.cyclekids.org) are trying to reassure parents that safety
measures will be introduced.
Website development: Lucy Fletcher-Jones presented her preliminary
design for a web site. Colors for the web page received favorable comment.
It was suggested that the diamond logo include a symbol for in-line skating.
Gail Wagner said that the site could be linked to existing websites on
ped/bike safety including a site entitled ³How to Become a Smart Tripper².
Craig said that these and other possible links should be sent to Lucy for
consideration by the Committee. Lisa emphasized these possible links should
be on the committee test site and not on our public site until vetted through
the committee at large. John Davies said there should be a disclaimer on
the public website saying the committee was giving information, not advice.
Olga again offered to make available regional information on walk/bicycle to
school programs. Gail Wagner said she could provide information on bus
routes to schools as well as Lexpress and MBTA routes, for the website.
Lucy will send out options that were discussed for the home page title,
asking for a vote of preference within a week.
Policies of other communities: Lisa Baci reported that her group was
looking at sidewalk policies in Lexington working with Wayne Brooks. Her
committee was also exploring policies in other nearby towns, the State and
Nationally. The focus would be on safety/design criteria Olga again
stated that a member of police dept should be involved. Gail Wagner said
she would find a representative of public safety in Lexington for further
input on this issue.
Inventory subcommittee: Group leader John Davies gave a summary of
our activities. Following meetings and email discussions, a final ³Sidewalk
& Footpath Data Sheet² was agreed to which John showed to those at the
meeting. He had also provided large scale Lexington maps to each member doing the
inventory.
Laura Cecere has joined the subcommittee. She was asked by John to
inventory all destination paths within the conservation lands in town, using
the CLC Guide and recent Lexington town maps that roughly indicate trails
and bikepaths. John reported that Sue Solomon could not carry through on
her section for health reasons. Van Hook has subsequently arranged for the
Bicycle Advisory Committee to complete her work. Completed inventory sheets
will be given to Wayne, through John, for compilation of a master inventory
list. Wayne will add his extra information to this list. Lisa asked if
crosswalk locations would be included. John felt crosswalks, crossing
guards, and related information were too changeable for the inventory and
that these items, along with school bus routes and the police accident data
would be better recorded separately
At the meetings close, Ch Weeks summarized the work we had agreed to
complete for the next meeting; 1) the focus group will have presentations
in draft form to give schools and community organizations this fall, 2) a
website with a completed draft of the Committee Charge, a description of the
subcommittees and their functions, meeting minutes and other useful data on
sidewalk safety/design as well as a preliminary listing of websites for info
on related regional activities, 3) the new school superintendent must be
informed about and pass on our plans to promote safe routes to school, Olga
and others on PTA to be involved 4) the inventory group will have a report
on areas covered to date, and 5) Craig will assign a member to generate some
written material and a table position for Discovery Day
The meeting was adjourned at 1:30 PM. The next full committee
meeting will be at 11 AM on Monday, June 6. Subcommittees will meet on their
own initiative.
Jerry Van Hook