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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2013-12-16-GCC-min MINUTES Greenways Corridor Committee December 16, 2013, 4:30-6:00pm Legion Room, Cary Hall Lexington, Massachusetts Members Present : Rick Abrams, Eileen Entin, Bob Hausslein, Keith Ohmart, Mike Tabaczinski Other Attendees : Stew Kennedy Votes : • Nov 25, 2013, meeting Minutes - Approved • Motion to request permission from BoS for GCC to join Mass Green Routes Coalition - Approved Current Business Review : • Per request from the November GCC meeting Rick presented a revised estimate of the per mile cost for the development of ACROSS route B that backed out the portion of the Route B materials that remain unused and available for future routes. The revised estimates based on the revised costs for Route B are shown in the attached table. Based on this estimate, at least one more ACROSS trail can be developed but additional funds will be needed by 2015. To secure these funds, the group will draft and submit a new request to the Community Preservation Committee in the fall of 2014. Stew also noted that some funding may be available from other sources such as the . Jack and Betty Eddison Blossom Fund • Keith reported on negative feedback regarding the posting of signs on street trees because it clutters the tree and encourages other signs. The group made a decision to avoid using street trees for ACROSS signs, even though trees are typically used in conservation and other open space areas. The exception would be where the route goes along a portion of a street that has open space (rather than houses) on one or both sides. Avoiding use of street trees will require using more posts. • It is now too cold for placement of Fluorescent/reflective tape on posts that might be susceptible to snowplow damage. This task will be deferred until the temperature is sufficiently warm. • Route C planning – The group reviewed the current plan for Route C, which goes through both Whipple Hill Conservation land and Arlington Great Meadows, as well as across part of Lexington Christian Academy. The current draft route exits Whipple Hill at Locke Lane, which would require discussion with abutters. Because a protocol for discussion will not be available for several months (see reports below), the group discussed the possibility of exiting at the Winchester Drive entrance, and cutting across Russell Road to Whipple Road and then down to Lowell St. Keith will contact Deb to ascertain whether it would be possible to talk with Arlington and Lexington Christian Academy, both of which are expected to look favorably on the ACROSS route, before the protocol for discussion with abutters has been developed. Gaining their consent would allow us to implement a route this spring. Rick will circulate the current draft route, and the group will continue discussion of the route at the January meeting. In the interim, individuals can walk any portion of the route to get “boots on the ground” (weather permitting). Rick will also circulate the map showing the six notional ACROSS routes, and the group will also discuss possibilities for Routes D and E in January. • Reports : • Keith reported on a meeting he attended with the Brookhaven Nature Path Committee Friehling and Jim , the executive director of Brookhaven. The trail easement that had been obtained for the property at 990 Waltham St., which Brookhaven purchased, will go forward. The Nature Path Committee plans to put in a trail from Waltham St to the end of the property, a distance of approximately 900 feet. Also discussed was the possibility of a trail to Concord Avenue or to link to the trails in the Western Greenway. • Rick reported on a 30 mile walk from Malden to Waban sponsored by Freewalker.org that will take place on May 17, during Lexington’s Bike/Walk/Bus week. The group has had walks in New Jersey and New York, but this is the first one in the Boston area. Part of the route will cross through Lexington. Rick will provide further updates as the route is solidified. • Rick reported that BikeWalk/Bus week will be from May 9 to May 18. Plans for the week include a commuting walk to Boston, starting at 6 am, a Nordic poles walk, and several history walks. Citizens for Lexington Conservation will sponsor several walks that week and Aaron Ladd will lead an early evening bike ride. • Regarding the development of protocols for talking with abutters to routes that the GCC is developing, Deb Mauger (our Selectmen liaison) informed Keith that the Selectmen estimate they will not have a response for the GCC before March because of other matters that take precedence. Hence ACROSS routes that go through or along side non-town property must be deferred until after the protocols for discussion are developed. New Business : • Stew reported that the Committee is Ad Hoc School Transportation and Safety Study working to get safer school drop off and pick up locations. The committee also want to develop walking paths away from streets, and has come to the Conservation Commission to request permission to develop a path across the wetlands from Waltham Street to Clarke Middle School. Several attendees at the GCC meeting noted that if this route were developed, we could modify the ACROSS Route B to use that path instead of Brookside St to go from Waltham Street to Clarke Middle School. Next Meeting : January 27, 2014, 4:30-6pm, Legion Room, Cary Hall 2014 Future Meeting Dates : Fourth Monday February 24, March 24, April 28, May 19, June 23, September 29, October 27, November 24, December 15. Note: July/August meeting to be scheduled if needed Tickler File: • Update Conservation Restrictions Data Base • Work with Town Manager to create protocols for working with abutters for new trail development • Field work to develop West Lexington Greenway • CPC $$ request, fall 2014 Respectfully Submitted, Eileen Entin, Acting Secretary