HomeMy WebLinkAbout2007-08-06-WALKS-min
Minutes of the Sidewalk Committee
August 6, 2007
Present: Jerry VanHook, Richard Canale of the Planning Board, Charlie Hornig of the
Planning Board, Francine Stieglitz, Jeanne Krieger, Wayne Brooks, and Sue Ellen Briggs
The committee did not have a quorum.
Jerry reported on membership of the Sidewalk Committee. Olga Guttag will join the
committee in September 2007 to September 2010. Richard will join the committee as a
Planning Board liaison. Debbie Hogan is a possible liaison for this committee from Fiske
Elementary School. Stewart Kennedy is in the Estabrook district and is looking for a
representative from that area for this committee.
There was talk among those present of the impact of increased bus fees on how students
will get to school. While the increased fee could encourage walking it just as easily
could encourage more cars driving to the schools and increased congestion. Sue Ellen
said she would write a letter to the Minuteman about walking to school and carpooling.
GWAC will be contacted to sign the letter.
Jerry reported on a meeting he attended at Fiske that discussed improving pedestrian
access to the school. Olga Guttag and Sue Bruce were there. A sidewalk will be added to
the access road for drop off and a crosswalk will connect this sidewalk to the school. A
72 foot ramp will be added next to the problem stairs that have been discussed at previous
meetings. In order to have room for such a long ramp the neighbor, Fiske Commons will
be asked for access to their land for some of the ramp. That looks promising so progress
is being made at Fiske.
Laura Cecere is still working on prioritizing streets for sidewalk work. She is about to
start the next color level. It was recommended that she use orange instead of green.
Hasting has asked for the spreadsheet to work on their district.
Jerry let everyone know that there is a meeting on Wednesday September 26 from
8:30AM -10:30AM in the Library meeting room on Walking in the Center.
The Moving Together Conference in Boston on Wednesday October 17, 8:30AM-4PM is
now accepting registration. Check out the website
www.ecs.umass.edu/baystate_roads//mt for information on presentations and to register.
We should have someone from the committee there.
Our next meeting is Monday September 10 at 11AM in the Selectmen’s meeting room.
Submitted by Sue Ellen Briggs 8/31/07