HomeMy WebLinkAbout2012-03-05-WALKS-minLexington Sidewalk Committee Meeting Minutes
Monday March 5, 2012 at gam
Present: Jerry Van Hook (Chair), Judy Crocker, Bettina McGimsey, Francine Stieglitz
Liaisons: Elaine Celi (LPS Transportation), Marc Valenti (DPW), John Livesy
(Engineering), Richard Canale (Planning Board)
Guests: Jill Hai, Jane Williamson, Susan Dedham, Jackie Pottersdam
1. The February meeting minutes were approved.
2. Adams St sidewalk discussion
Mr. Livsey reported that Adams St will be resurfaced from East St to the Woburn
line this summer. Engineering tries to evaluate adjoining sidewalks with any road
project, especially for pinch points where plows has access difficulty as well as
crosswalk ramps. The Lexington standard for sidewalk width is 50" (ADA requires
36" but snow equipment requires 48" width). The project includes replacing some
sections of sidewalk only and placing rumble strips on ramps. Overall sidewalk
replacement is not a part of this road project as approved by Town Meeting.
Adam St has known pinch points between the street guardrail and telephone poles.
Options for improving pedestrian access to the area include:
a) Evaluate removal of the guardrail. If it is not warranted by present town
code, then it can be removed.
b) Perform Research for alternative guardrail designs that may not be as wide.
c) Narrow the roadway so that the sidewalk can be widened. This scenario
would make the tight road even tighter in width. It is already a difficult road
to share with bikers due to its width. This is the last option.
Mr. Van Hook remarked that parts of the sidewalk are in bad shape and is
disappointed that the project does not include its replacement. He stated that it is a
busy, difficult road and that removing the guardrail might decrease pedestrian
safety. Mr. Livsey replied that it is not typical to install guardrails for the purpose of
pedestrian safety and that perhaps only sections of the rail could be removed in
order to solve the pinch point problem.
Unfortunately, the two problem telephone poles can take years to remove by NStar.
The Town tries to avoid such matters if at all possible.
Susan Dedham spoke on behalf of the neighborhood and endorsed keeping the
guardrail as a visual barrier for pedestrians and cars. Jackie Pottersdam wants to
keep the guardrail for safety's sake. Mr. Van Hook inquired if residents could instead
use the local bikepath as a safer alternative but Ms. Pottersdam reported that there
are too many obstructions for pedestrians here, including overgrown brush, litter,
and that there is crime in the area.
Richard Canale gave the historical perspective of the guardrail, saying that about 15
years ago mitigation monies from an Adams St development was designated to be
used for pedestrian safety in the area. Thus the guardrail was installed and its
interior face is finished as it was designed for pedestrian safety.
Mr. Livsey explained that there is a separate budget for sidewalk repairs, which is
approved by Town meeting. The roadwork on Adam St does not preclude future
work to be done in the area on sidewalks. The Town cannot perform a blanket
replacement of sidewalks with any road project unless specifically authorized.
Mr. Valenti spoke on the need to spread appropriated monies over the entire town.
For example, presently the priority is mending potholes. There is a need to revisit
the year- schedule and committed projects. There has not been a financial estimate
performed on sidewalks installation or repairs. Both he and Mr. Livsey are always
looking for funding sources for sidewalks.
Mr. Livsey will do as much as possible on the sidewalks in question with the road
improvement project. He will also notify abutters of overgrown brush.
Mr. van Hook suggested that the Adam St neighborhood proceed with the new
sidewalk installation process. Mr. Valenti asked if the SWC would want to change the
sidewalk priority for this area.
3. Winthrop Rd Sidewalk discussion
Mr. Livsey reviewed the Winthrop Rd sidewalk project. He noted that it would be
completed in the following construction season. Mass Ave to Highland St would be
paved this year. Most sections have existing sidewalks, but some sections have none
and those may be done this season. This way the sidewalks do not have to cut into
the new road next year. There is also some landscaping issues to be addressed and
Ms. Hai said that she will work with the neighborhood towards this end.
Mr. Livsey also reported that Waltham at Winthrop Rds would be done in the
second year of the project. It will include pedestrian improvements at the
intersection, including a crosswalk signal which possibly would include a pedestrian
countdown timer.
4. The Safe Routes To School (SRTS) update
a) Lexington proudly received an award at the Massachusetts SRTS Annual State
Forum for Outstanding Leadership. Mr. Livsey graciously accepted the award on
behalf of the Town. He was also a guest speaker on managing road infrastructure
improvements.
b) The Clarke pervious sidewalk, which will run along side the brook, will be
installed this summer.
c) SRTS will attend an information table at the All -Town Kindergarten Orientation.
SRTS bookmarks will be distributed.
d) 15 winners were chosen for the SRTS art & slogan contest encouraging school
bus ridership. Look for their artwork in upcoming posters and fliers advertising the
school bus registration period.
e) Most schools choose "crazy hat day" as a Walking Wednesday theme to celebrate
Dr. Seuss' birthday and Read -Aloud Day.
S. Estabrook Task Force (ETF) Update
The interim report of ETF was presented to BoS and SC last month. Discussed was
the restricted access to the school via Robinson Rd and the public safety memo
requiring no queuing on public roadways.
6. ad hoc School Transportation & Safety Study Update
a) The March 2012 Parent Survey will be administered this month. It will gauge
parent's acceptance of proposed improvements to the school transportation system
moving forward.
b) The bids for the new bus contract are due this month.
7. Town Meeting Articles 4 & 17
The Superintendent, SC, BoS, and Appropriation Committees endorsed Article 4,
requesting subsidized busing for Estabrook students during construction. Funds
now must be approved by Town Meeting.
Article 17 is being presented later this month to the same Committees. It seeks to
provide subsidized busing to offset Parent Bus Fees for the entire community (save
Estabrook if Article 4 passes) using community funding.
8. Correspondence log
Jill Hai has graciously accepted an appointment on the SWC! Once formally
appointed by the BoS, it is the hope of the SWC that she can begin her tenure next
month. In addition, the SWC has received permission to proceed with a change to its
total number of members from nine to seven.
"A motion to change the number of voting members on the Sidewalk Committee
from nine to seven and still maintain an expectation of a three -year term" was
unanimously passed.
9. New Business
a) Jill Hai raised the point of the SWC possibly working with the Zoning Board of
Appeals (ZBA) as opposed to or in addition to the Planning Board (PB). This change
inn process could make a sidewalk a condition of a permit, zoning, etc. A potential
problem with this thought might be the then construction of new sidewalks with
multiple contractors where the quality and consistency of skilled construction could
be more variable. Town contacts involved with zoning include David George, ZBA of
the Community Development Dept, and Gary Rhodes, Building Commissioner.
b) Mr. Valenti discussed the FY 13 budget for the SWC being $300,000. The areas he
believes which need to be evaluated include:
• Winthrop Rd
• crosswalk ramps in order to bring them into ADA compliance
• section of Lincoln Field path and its drainage issues
• Mass Ave - the water main construction area and Parker St to the library.
The question of the lack of sidewalk between Audubon to Jean Rd will
require researching the history of sidewalks in the area.
• Collaborate with Engineering on the water main work to be done on Bedford
St, especially near the Hill St and Revere St intersections
• Meriam Hill near Oakland St
While it is important for sections of sidewalk to be rebuilt in its entirety, it is equally
critical to complete proper maintenance on existing sidewalks to ensure that their
condition does not deteriorate. Being proactive will afford sidewalks a longer life
expectancy.
c) Mr. Valenti discussed problems being encountered by bicyclists who are not
adhering to posted construction zone restrictions on the Minutemen Bikeway.
Culvert and drainage work is being completed and permanent patching will take
place during late spring. The swale is being fixed in certain areas where there are
erosion issues. After this project, maintenance will be done on Vinebrook culverts.
The next meeting will be on April 2, 2012 at gam in the Selectmen's Meeting
Room, Town Hall.
Respectfully submitted,
Judy Crocker