HomeMy WebLinkAbout2008-02-04-WALKS-min
Sidewalk Committee Meeting
February 4, 2008
Minutes
Attendance: Jerry VanHook, Sue Ellen Briggs, Olga Guttag, Wayne Brooks, Francine
Stieglitz, Meg Lotz, John Davies, Richard Canale, Lucy Fletcher-Jones, Judy Crocker
and Jeanne Krieger
Handouts: Jerry’s letter to the Board of Selectmen and his list of priority sidewalks by
elementary school from the safe routes to school committees.
The December Sidewalk Committee meeting minutes were passed unanimously. The
notes from the small group discussion on January 7, 2008 will be added to these minutes.
Francine received a comment from a Lexington resident, Hilton Pryce Lewis, about the
problem of walking along Pleasant St.
This is a high priority street for the Bowman school district.
The Lexington Listserve recently had much discussion about plowing the bike path.
Arlington has recently begun plowing and residents are thrilled and would like Lexington
to do the same. Wayne Brooks of the DPW said that Lexington currently plows 62 miles
of sidewalk. This has been a difficult year to stay keep the roads and sidewalks clear.
When one sidewalk plow is out of commission the schedule of clearing sidewalks cannot
be maintained. This year with the DPW building under construction sand and salt is not
in town. This requires trips get supplies are trouble with availability. If the town supplied
him with the budget to plow the bike path he would, but right now he doesn’t have the
capacity. Olga commented that Diamond students use the bike path to get to school. Judy
spoke with the Diamond principal and she would rather see more sidewalks plowed than
the bike path.
Wayne reported on how the current budget for sidewalks has been spent. In the last 2
years there has been $300,000 for sidewalks budgeted. There is $90,000 left and it will be
spent by June 2008. In next year’s budget there is $200,000 for sidewalks and $75,000
for curbing.
Jeanne noted that 8-10 streets in town need major reconstruction. There will be a debt
exclusion to cover the cost. Sidewalks should be part of the architecture, planning and
engineering of the design. Also there should be a grass strip when possible between the
road and sidewalk.
Olga reported on the plan for access to Fiske school. Olga emailed the plan for access
from the Fiske Condo Assoc. to Fiske school. She will seek approval of the proposed
paths from the Disability Commission. Pat Goddard is ready to put this proposal to bid.
Candy McLaughlin confirmed that there is money to complete this path and the
woodland path ramp. There has been an agreement between the abutters to remove some
trees. There is agreement to change the side of the road to park on.
Olga is willing to collect comments on both paths and forward a summary to Pat Goddard.
Fiske instituted a new drop off plan at Colony Rd. About 70 people are using that access
point. This reduced the number of cars at Adams St.
Olga is still working on a new walking path from lower colony – Wisteria Lane – through
woods, but some part of this is on private property.
Judy is continuing her encouragement of the safe routes to school program. The winter
walk is scheduled for Wednesday 2/6/08. Some schools are collecting hats and mittens
that day.
She has met with the principals of Diamond and Harrington to talk about walking.
She is recruiting a translator for the walking tips hand out that is used in all of the schools.
Judy will be meeting with the Transportation Coordinator Joanne T.
ingale
At the next meeting of SRTS for Lexington the Massachusetts SRTS representative will
be present.
The closing of Lexington Gardens and sale to development could impact walking to
Diamond Middle School.
The proposal to increase the commercial development at Countryside Commons could
impact walking to Harrington Elementary School.
LHS and Clarke Middle School are still not participating in the SRTS program.
The enforcement of bicycle helmets is another issue that could be improved, especially at
the middle schools.
Town Meeting starts March 19. Jerry has drafted a letter to the Board of Selectmen.
Richard would add that the amount of money we are requesting is just a start or part of an
overall plan to enhance pedestrian access. Richard feels this will not have to be presented
during Town Meeting. It could be presented at TMMA as an informational presentation,
but Richard doesn’t feel that is necessary.
Olga motioned that her motion in December be changed to include a new dollar amount
of $275,000 instead of $225,000. The new motion states that a letter be sent to the
selectmen and DPW requesting $275,000 annually be allocated for maintenance and
improved connectivity of sidewalks in Lexington. John seconded this motion and it
passed unanimously.
The next item up for discussion was the warrant by Jean Williams. Most of the discussion
centered on enforcement. No conclusions were made. Next month this will be discussed
in more detail and a formal position will be agreed upon.
The meeting adjourned at 12:57.
Respectfully submitted by Sue Ellen Briggs 2/27/08