HomeMy WebLinkAbout2008-05-05-WALKS-min
Sidewalk Committee Minutes
May 5, 2008
Attended by: Jerry Van Hook, Jeanne Krieger, Wayne Brooks, Francine Stieglitz, Sue
Ellen Briggs, Judy Crocker, John Davies, Lucy Fletcher-Jones, Suzie Barry
11:05 the meeting was called to order.
The minutes of the April meeting passed unanimously with minor corrections. These
corrections include “Mark” Hammer is actually Ben Hammer and “true” walkers in that
same paragraph was changed to established walkers. Those minutes are attached.
Jerry reviewed the Selectman’s Charge of the Sidewalk Committee. Terms of members
of the committee were listed.
Sept 2008-2009 Jerry VanHook, Meg Lotz, John Davies
Sept 2008-2010 Francine Stieglitz, Lucy Fletcher-Jones, Sue Ellen Briggs
Sept 2008-2011 Judy Crocker, Olga Guttag, Sara Chamberlain
Sept 2008-2011 _______________, ______________, ______________
There are plenty of empty seats on this committee. Suzie Barry has agreed to join. She
will represent the Estabrook School district.
Liaisons to the committee include: Jeanne Krieger to the BOS, Richard Canale to the
Planning Board, Wayne Brooks and Dave P. to DPW, and Gail Wagner to TSAC.
PTA Representatives for Safe Routes to School meet under the direction of Judy Crocker.
Bowman, Bridge, Hastings and Estabrook schools all have Safe Route to School
programs in place. Judy is trying to get a commitment from Fiske PTA. Craig Weeks is
working on the Clarke Middle School and Judy is working with the Diamond Middle
School.
Wayne reported that next month he will bring the list of sidewalks to be repaired this
summer for the committee to review.
The GIS study is done. Info Tech is doing a study.
Jerry reviewed sidewalks that have been done and what is proposed. Spring St. will be
done because of the Shire deal. Avalon is going before the Conservation Commission to
ask about putting sidewalks on the north side of Concord Ave. Roosevelt Rd sidewalk
looks doable this summer.
Footpaths under construction include the bridge at Clarke from the school to the playing
fields. The ramp at Fiske is planned from Woodland and another at Fiske Commons.
Wayne reported on the cost of painting the streets. Just painting the yellow and white
lines is $17,000. Painting all the crosswalks is $30,000. The painting needs to take place
every year due to wear. Currently the town paints crosswalks in diagonal zebra strips.
There was discussion about changing the strips to parallel to the direction of traffic.
Changing the strips would require sandblasting out the old strips and then repainting.
Happening at the schools include Bowman, Bridge and Hastings got applications in for
State funds for improving access to the school for walkers. Estabrook was not yet eligible
for the grant.
Bowman cancelled the Bike Rodeo that was planned for April 26. The state was going to
help run it but they were not well organized. The classroom training that the state ran was
excellent and Lucy would recommend that other schools request the training from the
state.
There is a new Interim Physical Education Coordinator for K-5 in Lexington Public
Schools, Nichole Rhodes. This position could really help promote walking to school.
The walk for May focuses on Trim and Trash. Children will pick up trash on their way to
school. Parents will trim overhanging foliage from the sidewalks on the way to school.
Green Transportation Day was attended by Judy and Jerry. Gail Wagner presented
initiatives to encourage biking around town. The Farmer’s Market opens June 17 and
Friends of the Bikeway have donated money to give $2 coupons to be used in Lexington
Center.
The School Bus sign ups have been distributed to residents with children in the schools.
Last year the number of school bus riders dropped sharply. Fewer bus riders lead to fewer
routes that are longer. Judy will speak with Joanne Tringale about the need to move bus
stop signs if the bus stops change.
Francine will bring up the school bus issue to Transportation Advisory Committee and
will talk to Gail Wagner. As fewer students ride the school bus traffic in town increases.
Meeting adjourned at 12:45.
Respectfully submitted by Sue Ellen Briggs June 2, 2008