HomeMy WebLinkAbout2014-04-07-WALKS-min
Lexington Sidewalk Committee Meeting Minutes
Monday, April 7, 2014, 9 AM
Selectmen's Meeting Room
Present: Jeanne Canale, Judy Crocker, Mary Hosmer Fanucci, Bettina McGimsey, Francine Stieglitz;
Liaisons present: Elaine Celi, Tim Dunn, Marc Valenti; Visitor: Craig Weeks
Judy Crocker called the meeting of the Sidewalk Committee (SWC) to order at 9:10 AM. She began the
meeting with a welcome to Tim Dunn who will now be the Planning Board liaison to the SWC.
1.Review of the February 3 and 24 minutes: Minutes were approved as amended. A brief discussion
ensued regarding the Prospect Hill sidewalk petition. In 2007-2008 money had been approved to fund a
sidewalk, but it was never used for that purpose. In this current round of discussion, Marc Valenti has
received a number of calls from residents who are concerned about which side of the road the sidewalk
would be placed, particularly regarding stone walls and trees. Bettina McGimsey raised the question as
to why residential plot plans show only the plot boundaries, as opposed to the lot in relation to the street
so that residents would know what part of their lot is their property and what belongs to the Town.
2.DPW Updates: Mr. Valenti reported that his department is currently in the process of being accredited
by the American Public Works Association. In terms of maintenance work, his crew will work on line
striping in preparation for Patriots Day celebrations. Crosswalks include those along Mass Ave from
Pleasant to Harrington, as well as Hancock, Worthen, and Waltham. The crosswalk at Independence and
Mass Ave has been redone. They are also working on brick paver maintenance. After Patriots Day they
will begin work on the northern side of Forest Street and will rebuild the ramps at the intersection of
Muzzey and Forest to correct their orientation. Work will continue on the Lincoln pathway - they will
remove the existing pathway to change elevations to deal with drainage issues. Work will continue up to
Baskin Road and out to Middleby. They will do surface restoration prior to the final asphalt course. An
erosion mat from the path up to Lincoln Field will be installed to deal with the runoff coming from the
top of the hill. The path from Worthen Road into Lincoln Park will be redone in the future.
Mr. Valenti also reported that the sidewalk on Turning Mill from Robinson Road would be rebuilt. They
will trim overgrown hedges, with the understanding that residents will maintain the trimming in the
future. The sidewalk on Robinson Road will be done in conjunction with the rebuilding of the road.
Calls have also been received regarding the sidewalk on Mass Ave near Woburn Street. That sidewalk is
part of the Center streetscape project and will be redone when that is implemented. Construction is
expected in FY2016.
3.Correspondence:Francine Stieglitz noted that the SWC received an email from Erin Malone at 84 North
Street. She is interested in a sidewalk along North Street as well as other safety options. Ms. Stieglitz
sent her the SWC petition forms and information on how to contact TSAC for the safety options.
4.Safe Routes to School (SRTS) and Ad hoc School Transportation and Safety Study Committee (STS): STS
has completed its mandate and will present its report to the School Committee and other groups in the
near future and to the Board of Selectmen after Town Meeting. The work begun by the committee will
continue by school administration and the Dept of Facilities, with the School Committee considering the
School Transportation Mitigation Policy in May, school zone signage being addressed by DPW later in
the fall, and infrastructure improvements for the schools being considered for the future in two-year
cycles. Clarke is already in the design phase, with Bridge and the High School currently in the process
of beginning their design studies. In the future, each school will have an infrastructure design study
done. STS has recommended that quarterly meetings be held between LPS, Town Engineering, and
DPW to ensure that these departments continue to communicate regarding these issues.
Mr. Valenti noted that his department has done a regulatory sign inventory and has removed the major
regulatory signs that were out of compliance. He noted that the school zone signage along Waltham
Street for Clarke would most likely be removed. Ms. Crocker noted that a path from Waltham to the
school is being discussed. Ad hoc School Transportation and Safety Study member Craig Weeks has
met with the Conservation Commission, and they were amenable to the topic being further explored. Mr.
Valenti noted that this would need to be a three-season path, as it would not be plowed.
Safe Routes to School: Clarke has formed a SRTS committee; Diamond and Harrignton do not have
one. During Bike, Walk, & Bus Week, a 5th grade Smart Bike event will be held to instruct students on
biking safety and the rules of the road. The week will feature many other walking, biking, and mass
transit activities.
5.Updating Resident Guidelines for Requesting New Sidewalks document: The committee continued work
on the petition form and the guidelines. Ms. Crocker and Ms. Stieglitz will make revisions and bring to
the May meeting.
6.Committee Membership: Craig Weeks is considering joining the SWC. Judy Crocker is not required to
step down from the SWC but it has been suggested that she do so to avoid time constraints with her
newly elected School Committee position. She will not step down from being the SRTS Coordinator
until a new leader has been identified.
7.New Business: Jeanne Canale reported on TSAC's discussion of Prospect Hill Street. Discussion
covered the crosswalk at Wachusett but also the need for a sidewalk. Mr. Valenti noted that his team
will work on that crosswalk in the context of the work they are doing on Middleby.
8.The meeting was adjourned at 11 AM. The next meeting of the Sidewalk Committee will be May 5 at 9
AM in the SMR.
Respectfully submitted by,
Bettina McGimsey