HomeMy WebLinkAbout2007-01-08-WALKS-min
SIDEWALK COMMITTEE
Minutes, Jan 8, 2007
The SWC meeting was held in the Estabrook room of Cary Hall, called to order by
Chairman Weeks at 11:15 AM. SWC members present were John Davies, Marianne
Lazarus, Judy Crocker, Jeanne Krieger, Francine Stieglitz, Sue Ellen Briggs, Lucy
Fletcher-Jones, and Jerry Van Hook. Also present were Olga Guttag (SC), Capt. Charles
Sargent (LPD), Wayne Brooks (DPW), Gail Wagner (TSAC), Jane Kalinski from the
Hastings school district, and Kate Cremons-Basbas, new director of physical education
and wellness in Lexington public schools who will also help coordinate the SRTS
program.
After the annual report photo was taken, Ch. Weeks discussed the day's agenda, then
asked for comments/corrections on the Nov and Dec minutes. Marianne L asked that the
Dec minutes list those attending. Pending that change, acceptance was MSP.
Captain Sargent was asked to comment on LPD efforts to improve traffic conditions near
schools. Lucy F-J said that the new crosswalk at Pleasant was appreciated but that some
cars did not stop for her, making crossing hazardous, especially for unescorted children.
She asked Sargent for more police presence. He countered that they try, but with only 4
squad cars and policemen available for school duty, it was difficult. A question about
deputizing crossing guards to allow issuing citations was debated and rejected. Sargent
said crossing guards were issued hand-held stop signs but tended not to use them.
Someone said that speeding by "parents in a hurry" is often the case. Olga asked whether
an officer could be hired to circulate between schools, the citation revenues helping to
defray the costs.
The need for more effective signs was stated but Gail W reminded members that
wholesale replacement of existing signs would be prohibitively expensive. Signs are
replaced only when defaced or damaged. Olga warned members that redistricting is
scheduled for Jan-Feb 2007 and may change the SRTS plans at schools. She will alert
members of critical changes.
Turning to the sidewalk repairs, Wayne Brooks pointed out that roadway and sidewalk
repairs, although desirable, cannot always be linked for efficiency because of the type
and extent of repairs and the type of equipment and personel often do not match. He cited
Bow Street as an example where road repairs and sidewalk work were combined and
Woburn Street where the same was planned in the coming year. Marianne was critical of
work on lower Meriam Street where sidewalk repairs and road work were not coupled in
spite of clearly stated SWC priority and known road work schedule. Wayne said the non-
completed work on those sidewalks remains "on the list" and will "soon be done"
Marianne, unsatisfied by his assurances, questioned why it took so long to coordinate
planned work and why projects were not done with greater consultation with the SWC
and neighbors, specifically noting the failure to improve pedestrian safety of the
Meriam/Somerset/Franklin intersection when the streets were resurfaced. Ch. Weeks
asked Wayne to prepare a list of the sidewalk projects completed with this FY budget for
inclusion on our website and the Town Report and to furnish members with a second list
of those projects not yet completed under that allocation. He noted that another $200K is
requested for the next FY and that the work on this should be listed separately.
Concerning SRTS programs, Jane Kalinski reported that the Hastings school project was
progressing well. She commented that having parents and school personnel standing
outside to help with traffic flow within school grounds seemed to be an effective strategy.
She had submitted a list of roads and crossings that needed safety measures. Judy C asked
if, through Dr. Ash, it might not be possible for elementary school principals to assign
staff to oversee traffic control within school grounds instead of the current situation
where some traffic control is run by principal and staff and some run by the PTA. Olga
stated that the present system seems fine as is.
Olga said that Fiske ES is scheduled to open after Feb vacation. She described the new
entry and exit arrangements, Marianne said that a new crosswalk on Adams was needed
because of new entry and exit conditions and asked why a new crosswalk on Adams St
reflecting this was not in place for the Feb occupancy. Olga said they must first determine
the new walking patterns before deciding on crosswalk location. She described new
vehicle barriers at several locations which can be lowered for authorized vehicles to pass
through. Added locations for these barriers were suggested by Marianne
The new steps on the path from the school to Woodland Street were discussed. Olga and
others were dissatisfied because the stairs prevented stroller and bicycle access . Van
Hook commented that the final steep incline previously there had been very hazardous
under icy conditions for all users and an invitation for bicycle accidents even in good
weather. Most agreed that a ramp for wheeled vehicles combined with a child-safe railing
across the platform base at the top of the stairs would satisfy but Olga warned they might
not be installed for some time because issues of responsibility for such changes were not
easily resolved. Steps from the school to the Fiske Common walkway presented a similar
problem needing attention.
Lucy F-J asked for submissions for web site inclusion within 2 weeks for her next update.
This would include a listing of sidewalk improvements, crosswalks and signs by
engineering and TSAC plus info on the 5-year roadway improvement plan. Marianne
asked whether projected construction projects could be listed there.
Ch. Weeks then asked, as per agenda, for the members divide into work groups and
identify in writing the criteria that led to sidewalk prioritization. Due to the late hour
these tasks were given as homework assignments with the proviso that email
contributions be received promptly (Jan 19th?) for consolidation by the Chm.
Meeting was adjourned at 12:30. Next meeting will be on Feb 5 at 11 AM, tentatively in
Estabrook Hall in Cary Hall.
Jerry Van Hook