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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2005-08-08-WALKS-min SIDEWALK COMMITTEE Minutes of August 8, 2005 Meeting The Lexington’s Sidewalk Committee meeting was convened by Chairman Craig Weeks at 11:13 AM on August 8 in the Selectman¹s Meeting Room. A quorum of ten committee members were present A motion to accept the minutes of the June 27 meeting was moved seconded and passed. Jeanne Krieger pointed out that the committee should begin soon formulating any financial requests soon for presenting to Capital Expenditure and other Town committees for the upcoming budget. She also mentioned that the Lexington Center Collaborative Committee will meet Sept 7th with the Board of Selectmen to discuss their recommendations as a result of their summit in June. Ms. Krieger raised the question whether the Sidewalk Committee should be making comment to the Lex Center Collab recommendations. Mr. Weeks asked if these Center Collab recommendations had been published. As they have not, it was decided that until they publish their findings, it was premature to do so, especially in light of the fact that the SWC has yet to review design standards and other relevant aspects of the issue, such as new sidewalks, materials for sidewalk renovations, signage, extra curb cuts, etc. John Davies brought maps and materials from the inventory subcommittee. He was unable to stay so Van Hook described the features of a town map the committee had created showing sidewalk location and condition. The work sheets as primary source of detailed inventory data have been collected by committee member Wayne Brooks. Their entry on town software is nearly complete with help from a HS student intern. Marianne offered to photograph the map. Van Hook suggested we enter all the completed work sheet data, of which approximately 20 % remains to be added, before photos are taken. Others felt we should not wait for these entries because the work is never totally finished. The subcommittee chair will resolve photo issue and send the map on to Lucy FJ for web site entry along with spread sheets of detailed inventory for public comment and committee planning. Lucy described some vehicular traffic-calming and bike/pedestrian enhancing measures in England and on European mainland which she felt we and other transportation planners should be aware of. Craig discussed Bridge Elementary School Safe Routes to Schools pilot program initial plans. There had been subcommittee meetings in July and one planned for Aug 12 to offer specifics on Marrett Road crossings and safe routes for parent-let student walking routes. Working with Bridge PTA, the plan is to initiate the program in late September 2005. For State sponsored Safe Routes to School support, one should contact Susan Fargo, Ways & Means Committee Chair. The issue of school bus routes was raised. They change each year with student needs unrelated to walking routes and probably are not useful as alternative transport for safe route walkers in bad weather i.e. the walkers need to find their own alternatives. A long discussion on snow removal issues was led by Chairman Weeks aided principally by Wayne Brook sand officer Jenkins who have first-hand knowledge of the practical problems.Brooks said that street clearing of snow has to be the first priority.A second priority is sidewalks on major walking routes to schools following a list agreed to with school administrators. Next priority is for heavily used sidewalks in business centers. Business owners are expected to clear walks in front of their shops but there are often problems finding space for snow removed from both sidewalks and street parking. Local plowing operations often leave snow banks, a problem for pedestrians.. New equipment is in the works to increase efficiency and speed of removal. Ms. Krieger suggested considering plowing the Bikeway in the Center area, either by volunteer effort or by the DPW to improve pedestrian access and safety. With large storms, town costs for snow removal are staggering. Just last year over $1M was spent, including a single clearing in the Center which cost $50 K. The meeting was adjourned at 12:24 AM. The next full committee th meeting will be in the Selectman’s meeting room at 11 AM on Monday, Sept 12. Subcommittees will meet, as always, on their own initiative. Jerry Van Hook, Secy.