HomeMy WebLinkAbout2014-05-05-WALKS-min
Lexington Sidewalk Committee Meeting Minutes
Monday, May 5, 2014, 9 AM
Selectmen's Meeting Room
Present: Jeanne Canale, Judy Crocker, Mary Hosmer Fanucci, Bettina McGimsey, Francine Stieglitz;
Liaisons present: Elaine Celi; Visitors: Bonnie Brown, Hank Manz, Craig Weeks
Judy Crocker called the meeting of the Sidewalk Committee (SWC) to order at 9:08 AM.
1. Committee Membership: Ms. Crocker started the meeting by welcoming Bonnie Brown, Hank Manz,
and Craig Weeks, all of whom are considering joining the SWC. Ms. Brown has followed the workings
of the Estabrook Task Force and the ad hoc School Transportation Safety (STS) group closely for the last
few years. Mr. Weeks was a member of STS, a former SWC chair, and has been a member of the Safe
Routes to School (SRTS) town-wide committee for many years. Mr. Manz was the former liaison from
the Board of Selectmen (BOS) to the SWC. Once a quorum of SWC members was present, the
committee voted to recommend that the BOS appoint all three to the SWC. The committee also
discussed that members need to be sure that they are able to attend meetings as often as possible. Ms.
Crocker noted that she would remain on the SWC until SRTS finds a replacement for her role as chair.
2. DPW Update: No update was given, as Marc Valenti was unable to attend the meeting.
3. Safe Routes to School and Bike Walk 'n Bus Week Update: Ms. Crocker reported on a number of issues:
Ms. Crocker and Mary Ellen Dunn (Assistant Superintendent) will bring the question of where the
home base of SRTS should be to the June quarterly Lexington Transportation Forum. The question
is whether it should remain a sub committee of the SWC or if the program’s needs might be better
met under the auspices of another transportation heading, such as LPS Transportation. Given the
expanding scope of work that the Safe Routes To School program entails, it is critical that the person
who holds the Coordinator role be properly supported by those in the school, facilities, and
municipal departments.
The School Committee is currently undertaking draft policy readings of the School Traffic and
Mitigation policy. The next reading will be May 13 with the final reading expected on June 10. It is
critical that the policy be adopted during FY14 so that summer work on Clarke, Diamond, and LHS
can proceed with the correct policy mission directives.
The Lexington List yahoo group had a discussion regarding the ticketing of cars on Brookside
Avenue near Clarke Middle School. The confluence of two LPS events at Clarke (Bowman Talent
Show and the return of a Clarke field trip) caused a major parking jam. Cars parked illegally were
ticketed, raising the ire of the public given the lack of parking spaces at the school where they
needed to be for the two different events. It was noted that LPS should inform the Lexington police
when there may be possible traffic issues.
Another issue arose regarding the use of the Police Department’s electronic message signboard
stating the dates of school bus subsidized registration and that queuing on Grove Street would not be
allowed for school year 2014-2015. The latter was introduced by public safety officials in October of
2011. The Estabrook community had not been officially informed about this policy by school
administration prior to this message on the signboard. A letter from Dr. Ash (LPS) and Police Chief
Mark Corr is expected shortly that will communicate this policy. The hope was that this letter would
have happened in early April so that families had time to understand the implications of the traffic
policy on their commute, thus encouraging them to sign up for the bus during the sign up period
when it was at the subsidized rate of $300 or consider walking, biking, or carpooling. As of May 16,
the price of the bus will increase to $500, still subsidized, and as of July the rate will be the full
freight of $745.
The Bridge Elementary School PTA and Site Council have requested a crossing guard to address the
traffic issues at that school. Ms. Celi asked whether the Police Department has substitute crossing
guards who could fill that need.
May's Walking Wednesday takes place on Mass Walk to School Day and Lexington’s Bike walk ‘n
Bus Week. Hastings will do a Hula Walking Wednesday to celebrate National Luau week.
Bike Walk n' Bus Week is nearly here, with many activities including a school bus open house,
commuter breakfast, para-course awareness activities, a Big Backyard challenge for children, and a
Smart Bike workshop for 5th graders. SRTS will try to get a bike safety program into the schools in
the future.
Ms. Celi reported that at this date over 1800 students have signed up for the bus. Electronic
reminders to sign up will be sent out. It was noted that language should be added regarding the
impending traffic regulations so that families are aware and may consider the bus.
Discussion was had about open/closed roads that make bus routes difficult. There should be a way
for one to easily be able to see what roads are closed and when they open.
4. Correspondence Log: Francine Stieglitz reported that the SWC had received an email from Betsy ?
regarding the elimination of Peacock Farm from the revised Lexpress routes. A stop at the Senior Center
was also eliminated. Ms. ? also raised the issue of a sidewalk on Pleasant/Watertown Streets. Ms.
Stieglitz connected her with Laurel Carpenter who has expressed interest in the past for a sidewalk on
those streets. Ms. Stieglitz also suggested that she contact the Traffic Safety Advisory Committee
(TSAC) for crosswalk requests she had mentioned.
5. Board of Selectmen Annual Goal Setting Request: The SWC reviewed the request made last year, which
focused on citizen notification procedures and the SWC's Resident Guidelines for Requesting New
Sidewalks. After some discussion related to communication between the BOS and its sub-committees,
the SWC decided to submit the same request with one minor wording change and to submit its updated
new sidewalk request forms and guidelines.
6. Update of Resident Guidelines for Requesting New Sidewalks Document: Ms. Crocker reviewed the
history of the discussion of these guidelines. Ms. Stieglitz has completed the signature document. The
SWC voted to accept the guidelines as is and begin using them.
7. Review of the April Minutes: The minutes were approved as amended.
8. Other business: Mr. Weeks asked for an update on the Prospect Hill sidewalk. Petitioners have met
with the SWC, BOS, and Engineering. The next step will be Town Meeting. Mr. Weeks will contact
Sarah Chamberlain to get a complete update.
Ms. Crocker noted that she will write two more articles for the Minuteman regarding STS on the traffic
mitigation policy and STS successes. Ms. Brown asked whether it is possible to see the comments that
respondents had made regarding the draft traffic mitigation policy. It is only possible to see a listing of
the most common comments.
The meeting was adjourned at 10:30 AM. The next meeting of the Sidewalk Committee will be June 2, 2014,
at 9 AM in the SMR.
Respectfully submitted by,
Bettina McGimsey