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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2012-06-04-WALKS-minI Lexington Sidewalk Committee Meeting Minutes Monday, June 4, 2012, 9 AM Selectmen's Meeting Room, Town Office Building Present: Judy Crocker, John Davies, Jill Hai, Bettina McGimsey, Francine Stieglitz, Jerry van Hook; Liaisons: Elaine Celi (Transportation), Hank Manz (Board of Selectmen), Wendy Manz (Planning Board), Marc Valenti (DPW); Guests: BijanAfshartous, Michael McGuirk, Winston (Pat) Flynn, Mike Barber The meeting of the Sidewalk Committee (SWC) was called to order at 9:05 AM. 1. Visitors'Issues: Michael McGuirk presented a memo to the SWC regarding safety concerns on Watertown Street where the lack of a sidewalk for neighborhood residents to reach the bus stops is critical. Also noted were the need for crosswalks, reduced speed limits, and the need to trim tree limbs. Jerry van Hook noted that, while the SWC is sympathetic to other issues, all that it can address are sidewalk issues. Engineering issues need to go to Bill Hadley of DPW. Crosswalk and speed limit issues need to go before the Traffic Safety Advisory Committee (TSAC). Mark Valenti noted that DPW could deal with cutting back the trees. Pat Flynn, of 32 Watertown Street, noted that because of the overgrown trees and bushes along the route and near the bus stop, buses actually drop passengers off at his driveway. Mr. van Hook asked him if he would support a sidewalk along Watertown Street, and he agreed. Mr. van Hook noted that this is an example of the type of busy road in Lexington that needs to have a sidewalk. 2. Review of the May 2012 minutes: The May meeting minutes were approved with changes. 3. Lexington Transportation meeting on June 6: Jerry van Hook noted that said meeting would take place. Judy Crocker, Mr. van Hook, and Wendy Manz all planned to attend. 4. Lucy's farewell on June 6 at 7 pm: Long -time member of the SWC Lucy Fletcher -Jones has resigned as she is moving out of the area. A farewell party was to be held on June 6. 5. Correspondence log: Francine Stieglitz reported on a variety of requests. The first was from Mary Ann Lazarus to cut down branches, which Ms. Stieglitz forwarded to Mark Valenti at DPW. The second request regarded a petition for a new sidewalk on Mass Ave. between Jean and Audubon from residents in the area. Mr. Valenti noted that DPW was aware of this request, and they were investigating the right of way for a sidewalk. If possible, they will try to include the sidewalk into the road reconstruction that is currently being done on Mass Ave. This petition had also requested a crosswalk at Cedar and Mass. Ave. Ms. Stieglitz redirected the residents to TSAC to address the crosswalk. The third request was from Mike Barber, 288 Marrett Road, regarding a sidewalk on Prospect Hill Road from Marrett to Middleby. This is a heavily traveled route by students at Bridge Elementary and Clarke Middle School. Jill Hai noted that this had been discussed at Town Meeting a few years ago, and she would investigate what had happened. Ms. Stieglitz also noted that it was raised at the SWC 3 -4 years ago, but DPW had said it could not be done due to the lack of budgeted funds. Mike Barber noted that it is not an easy place to put a sidewalk due to many trees and retaining walls. That said, it is heavily used and dangerous 2 due to being a dark and narrow street. Judy Crocker noted that it is on the masterlist of streets that need sidewalks. 6. Update on the Estabrook Task Force: Judy Crocker noted that the task force has met its challenge. 7. Safe Routes to School: Judy Crocker reported that SRTS is currently working to get a volunteer at every school. 8. School transportation issues: Judy Crocker reported that June 15 was the deadline for bus registrations. To date, Clarke Middle School had the highest level of students signed up for the bus. She noted that the flex -pass pilot program will be used primarily by high school students, but some middle school families were also signing up for this. LPS will provide afternoon activity program buses. To participate, programs need to have a safe place for students to disembark, provide someone to take them into the facility, and move start times to allow for the bus to get the students to the program on time. Ms. Crocker also noted that the bus slogan contest artwork will be on display at the LPS Central Office and at the Cary Library in September or October. Finally, she is working with principals and administration to have uniform arrival and dismissal policies which will take time to implement. To ease into the school year, each school's PTA will provide volunteers to help guide traffic on the first few days of school. 9. Lexington's 3C challenge: They are hoping to tie this into the 300th celebration. 10. Proposed LWVforum, Feb 2013 on local preparedness for climate change: Jerry van Hook noted that this meeting is supposed to take place next year. 11. Selectmen's annual goal setting: The BOS has asked committees to submit goals for their consideration by 6/15 to be discussed at their 6/28 meeting. Jerry van Hook noted that fhe believes that a major goal for the SWC should be to ensure that there are sidewalks on streets where traffic density is high, such as Pleasant, Watertown, Lowell, and Hill Streets. A second goal should be to make pedestrian safety education a priority - not just for schools but for the general population of the Town. Judy Crocker noted that the Transportation and Safety Group had sent goals to the BOS regarding the need for traffic management policies on school grounds - that there needs to be some kind of reporting mechanism that can then go to the police so that they can take action. 12. New and old business: Mark Valenti noted that David Huss of 6 Audubon Road has asked to have a sidewalk at his property. It was noted that all ofAudubon's sidewalks need to be redone, particularly since it is a cut through from Mass Ave to Lincoln Street to get to Hayden. He also noted that DPW has the approval from conservation to do the work on the Middleby /Lincoln Field path. 13. Discussion about summer schedule: There will be no meeting in August. A July meeting will be held if there is business to attend to and a quorum of members available. The meeting was adjourned at 10:45 AM. The next meeting will take place at 9 AM either in July or September 2012, in the Selectmen's Meeting Room. Respectfully submitted, Bettina McGimsey