HomeMy WebLinkAbout2007-05-07-WALKS-min
Sidewalk Committee Minutes
, May 7, 2007
The Sidewalk Committee (SWC) held its monthly meeting in Estabrook Hall, starting at
11 AM on May 7. Those present were M Lazarus, F Stieglitz, J Crocker, Lucy F-J, SE
Briggs, J Krieger, and J Van Hook, joined later by S Chamberlain and L Baci, a quorum
for this meeting. Minutes for the Feb meeting were unavailable. Due to several factors,
regular meetings were not held in March and April of 2007, the presumption being that
committee business could be conducted by email and later confirmed in a regular
meeting.
Craig Weeks has tendered his resignation as chairman of the SWC. Pending action by the
Selectmen on accepting this action, J Van Hook has agreed to serve as chairperson of the
group for one year, contingent on some changes to be imposed on the conduct of
meetings and on the emailing of SWC issues better handled in meetings. Van Hook
promised to email these changes in operations that he wants to SWC members in advance
of the May 21 meeting.
Acting as interim chair at the May 7 meeting, Jeanne Krieger presented a new
organization chart and a revised charge for the SWC. The organization chart has some
unfilled positions, particularly in the Safe Routes to School (SRTS) category and in
committee liaisons. After some discussion on both documents, Jeanne promised and has
made the revisions that were agreed to and emailed them to committee members.
Ratification of these two documents will be on the agenda for the 21st. In the interim,
members are encouraged to email their comments and suggested changes.
The SWC took up the Master Plan that Craig had emailed to members. Sue Ellen is the
coordinator for changes and revisions to this draft of the plan and will present her
recommended changes and additions along with those who communicate with her by
email or other means. The SWC committee as a whole will begin to debate the detailed
revisions of this document on May 21 and in subsequent regular meetings.
Krieger asked if the SWC should craft a by-law to be submitted at next year's Town
Meeting placing responsibility on individual homeowners for snow removal on sidewalks
adjoining their property. Van Hook gave his reasons for opposing such a by-law until
more positive actions by the committee such as the SRTS program had achieved broad
recognition.
Meeting was adjourned at 12:10. The next meeting will be at 11 AM in the Selectmen's
Meeting Room on May 21.
Jerry Van Hook