HomeMy WebLinkAbout2012-05-07-WALKS-minLexington Sidewalk Committee Meeting Minutes
Monday May 7, 2012, 9 am
Selectmen's Meeting room, Town office Building
Present: Judy Crocker, Francine Steiglitz, Bettina McGimsey, Jill Hai, Jerry Van Hook,
Mark Valenti (DPW), Hank Manz (Board of Selectmen) Elaine Celi (Transportation);
Guests: Eileen Entin and Rick Abrams (Greenways Corridor Committee)
The meeting of the Sidewalk Committee (SWC) wa called to order by Jerry Van Hook at
9:20 a.m.
1. Presentation from the Greenways Corridor Committee (GCC) `s "Across
Lexington Initiative ". GCC is a new committee, an outgrowth of the West
Lexington Greenways Committee, designed to create interlinked, well maintained
routes, traversing Lexington and connecting Conservation land, Recreation
resources, Open spaces, the Center and the Schools. GCC would like to link
neighboring towns through trails and to help Lexington prepare for the "Silver
Tsunami" by making it an attractive community for aging residents. The
expectation is that the trails will be used both by walkers and trail bikes.
The group has already met with Bill Hadley (DPW) and some surveying has been
done. The goal is to have 35 to 40 miles of routes ultimately, with coordination of
sidewalk installation. A pilot route has been created, roughly 5.5 miles connecting
the Bikeway, Williard Woods, Chiesa Farm and Parker Meadow. The committee
would like to have the route completed by fall, to coordinate with the Lexington
300 celebrations. Questions for the committee:
a. How could they coordinate efforts with Safe Routes To School? Was
there a formal process available or necessary?
b. Would like to minimize on road travel necessitated by route, but even in
the pilot route there are some small areas where no sidewalk or trail is
available and a short on -road stretch is required (e.g. North Street). What
is the safest way to manage this? Where should people be directed to
cross? Is there a way to divert people onto Myrna Road to get back to
Williard Woods from North?
Jerry Van Hook noted that Traffic Safety Advisory Committee (TSAC) should be
involved, especially if crosswalks are required. Mr. Abrams state that TSAC had
been informed, as well as Lexington Police. Mr. Van Hook then expressed
concerns about the boardwalks throughout the Conservation land and the
adequacy thereof for bicycles. There was conversation about the need for
warning signs, vandalism concerns and options. The Committee agreed this was
an issue for the Bicycle Committee. Presenters agreed to check with Minuteman
National Park about how they maintain their warning signs and the width of their
boardwalks.
Mark Valenti noted that any infrastructure upgrades the Town provides need to be
ADA compliant. Non- compliant prior existing conditions can be retained, but
any new work would have to meet Federal guidelines.
Judy Crocker noted that the Safe Routes To School Committee has maps of what
each school's students use as walking and biking routes to school and that those,
while not official, may be helpful to the GCC as they plan future routes. Many of
these routes are on the individual school's websites. SRTS has never created
paths, they use only existing ones.
Options for 300 coordination: Trail Run, C3 challenge, gym class involvement
for next year.
2. Farewell for Lucy Fletcher Jones Judy Crocker suggested a wine and cheese
farewell, Committee agreed. Judy will be in touch about dates.
3. Review Minutes Marchand April Approved both sets of Minutes as amended.
4. Committee Membership John Davies and Jerry Van Hook will be be completing
their terms in September 2012 and will not be seeking another term. Discussion
of possible sources of new members — past petitioners, schools, Chamber of
Commerce. Need people who understand value of pedestrian infrastructure and
spillover benefits, commitment to issue and ability to work with and coordinate
with others. Francine Steiglitz will coordinate recruiting efforts.
Town Meeting Update Town Meeting approved both Article 4 Subsidizing
Estabrook bus fees during construction and Article 17, subsidizing all school bus
fees. Mailings have gone out and new fees are in effect.
Mark Valenti reported that Town Meeting had authorized $300,000 for sidewalks
in the annual budget. The money will be used for phase 2 of the path from
Worthen Road to Middleby Street (phase 1 was the end by Worthen Road, which
was rebuilt this year). Winthrop Road is the other big project for next year. Will
also continue working on trip hazards in the downtown area, including handicap
compliant crosswalks and ramps. Town will confer with Engineering so that they
can work in parallel on roads, crosswalks and sidewalks where possible. Francine
Steiglitz asked whether Mr. Valente had seen the draft of the Title II Self -
Evaluation Report.
6. Estabrook task force : Work is winding down. Final site plans for exit/egress
being constructed and now looking at post construction plans. Dedicated bus
lanes were omitted and some issues still need to be addressed
7. Safe Routes to School School bus packet has come out and looks great.
Historical Commission has approved a sign board in front of Cary Hall reminding
people to sign up for the bus. Lexmedia will also be running notices. Timing of
dismissal and bus safety still have room for improvement, but school Principals
will need to be involved. Parent handouts and a "Parents Partnering with
Principals" program are in the works. The Walking Wednesday program is being
moved to the second Wednesday of each month next year. Lexpress is
expanding our Flexpass program, which will be available for middle school and
high school next year and during expanded hours. There will be an `after school'
bus added next year at each elementary school to take children from school to
various after school activities throughout town. Common Carbon Challenge (0)
was piloted at Bridge; hope to roll out district -wide next year, perhaps through
phys.ed. curriculum.
Meeting Adjourned at 11 a.m. Next meeting will be Monday June 4, 2012 at 9 a.m. in
the Selectmen's Meeting Room.
Respectfully submitted,
Jill Hai