HomeMy WebLinkAbout2005-09-12-WALKS-min
SIDEWALK COMMITTEE
Minutes of September 12, 2005 Meeting
The Lexington’s Sidewalk Committee meeting was convened by Chairman
Craig Weeks at 11 AM in the Selectman¹s Meeting Room. Approximately 20
people were present A motion to accept the minutes of the August 8 meeting
was moved seconded and passed.
Weeks began with a discussion on the Bridge School project, a
program designed to reduce vehicular trips to and from the school by
promoting the alternatives of walking and bicycling. Car traffic at the
school has been a continuing problem. A drop off count of 220 cars this
last spring suggests that more than half of the 430 families enrolled were
sending their students to school this way. The Bridge walk to school
program which will begin officially on the week of Sept. 26-30, hopes to
dramatically reduce this practice. The Bridge PTA, principal Barbara
Manfredi, transportation coordinator Gail Wagner, and parents are joining
with the Sidewalk Committee to make this pilot program succeed in a way that
is inclusive for all
Tracy Herbert, a Bridge parent and the Sidewalk Committee liaison to the
Bridge PTA, described a school incentive plan of awarding different colored
ribbons each day of the week to children walking that day to and from school
. Similar ribbon awards would also be given to children bicycling with
parents or taking school buses since this reduces car traffic as well. For
safer access, a new crosswalks was being discussed, at Marrett Rd. near the
old reservoir parking lot The existing crosswalk at Downing Road and Marrett
will benefit from the construction of a new sidewalk planned for completion
this fall along the south side of Marrett between Spring St. and Waltham
St... There was also discussion about re-striping the existing crosswalk on
Marrett at Middle St. and of checking the crosswalk signal operation at the
Marrett/Waltham intersection to assure safe pedestrian/bicycle passage there
during school hours. Jeanne Krieger pointed out that crosswalk painting is
important but parental oversight and school training are also needed to
avoid a false sense of security using the crosswalks. Herbert said safety
training was in the plan and that children 10 years old and younger would
certainly need adult supervision.. Wagner agreed that, children need help
crossing busy roads, up to and including 5th grade. Parents are being
organized for walking children with Captains to assure coverage for each of
the principal routes to Bridge. Marianne Lazarus pointed to the need for
follow up, a phase 2 where the successes and failures of all these
initiatives are discussed and needed changes are made..
Herbert said she would ask for volunteers to clean up the existing
pedestrian/bike path on the west side of the reservoir which the bike
committee (LBAC) cannot do this year. Van Hook will see that the LBAC
clears brush along the Coppersmith path. Path improvements by the LBAC in
other school areas are continuing. John Davies reported that the sidewalk
inventory map was essentially complete and that he would work with Lucy
Fletcher-Jones to photograph the map and get it on the web site
Jeanne Krieger spoke of creating a mobility Committee in town, an
oversight group for strategic planning on general transportation issues. Lisa
Baci said that all neighborhood associations should have access to the
minutes of our group to stay current on developments.
The snow removal subcommittee is beginning to take shape. Krieger said
the town is doing its best with a difficult task, has purchased new
equipment and is considering additions to its sidewalk plowing list. A
budget request of $150 K is proposed for sidewalk maintenance in the next
budget year. As part of this, new construction standards must be written for
sidewalks in the center and elsewhere, sidewalks that can take the wear and
tear snow removal and are consistent with handicap use . Francine and Wayne
are composing a letter on the need for a modest sidewalk repairs budget,
possibly for inclusion with the next tax bill. There is also the need for a
master plan on sidewalk maintenance and on snow removal policies in
Lexington, Lisa Baci¹s subcommittee on Policies in Other Communities may be
able to offer insight from the experience in nearby towns.
On sidewalk materials for the center, Olga stated that there are
brick-like substitutes for standard brick that are more even and consistent
with regular pedestrian use and with handicap access. An example in
Cambridge is on Vassar St. near Mass Ave and the MIT main rotunda.
Francine reported on the collection and response to citizen input.
There have been about 12 to 15 responses, including the Discovery Day
written comments. Those that dealt directly with sidewalk defects were sent
to Wayne for DPW action. Copies were also sent to Gail Wagner, the
Transportation Coordinator. Olga said that any messages on SWC activities
should reach those PTA¹s affected, but equally important to the principals
of the schools who are now emphasizing both school buses and walking as
means to reach their schools. Craig asked if a log was being kept of these
citizen comments and was assured by Francine that it was.
The need for timely budget requests was again emphasized by Jeanne
Krieger. Lucy Fletcher-Jones suggested that pictures of sidewalks that need
improvement as well as pictures of those properly maintained could be sent
to her electronically for possible inclusion in a web site article which
would explain the need for the sidewalk maintenance funds. An author for
this possible article has not yet been chosen.
It was announced that police will be directing traffic during school
hours at the Lowell St./Maple St. intersection to help with extra Harrington
school traffic.
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The meeting was adjourned at 12:40 AM. The next full committee
meeting will be at 11 AM on Monday, October 3 Subcommittees will meet on
their own initiative
Jerry Van Hook