HomeMy WebLinkAbout2015-04-06-WALKS-min
Lexington Sidewalk Committee Meeting Minutes
Monday, April 6, 2015
Selectmen's Meeting Room, Town Office Building
Present: Craig Weeks, Jeanne Canale, Judy Crocker, Mary Hosmer Fanucci, Francine Stieglitz.
Absent: Sean Osborne Liaisons: Michelle Cicollo (BOS), Marc Valenti (DPW)
The meeting of the Sidewalk Committee (SWC) was called to order at 9:15 AM.
1.Public Comment:
Westminster/Lowell Intersection – Kristin Reed of 15 Westminster Avenue requested a
sidewalk to be installed so that her daughter may walk to school safely. She was directed to the
SWC by the town Engineering department. The sidewalk requested is not budgeted in the
project. Mr. Weeks directed Ms. Reed to the SWC website to learn the procedure for pursuing a
new sidewalk. Ms. Reed wanted to know the turnaround time for a request. Mr. Weeks indicated
it could be as long as a year or more due to meeting requirements, etc. Mr. Valenti added that
now is a good time to add the sidewalk, given the work already happening. However, the benefit
of the sidewalk needs to be understood. And, the procedures for getting a sidewalk should be
followed, including gathering signatures, etc. Ms. Crocker suggested that the requested sidewalk
is relatively small, so perhaps it could be added to the existing road construction. Ms. Ciccolo
added that the sidewalk may or may not happen depending on budgetary constraints.
Access to new Senior Center: Norma Floyd was concerned about Senior Center Access.
However, now that the snow has melted and the access is visible, she is no longer worried about
this issue.
Cedar Street: Ted Bergey, 29 Greenwood Street, called the Selectmen’s office indicating that he
thought a sidewalk should be installed on Cedar Street. Ms. Stieglitz called him and followed up
with an email. Mr. Bergey said that he submitted the request “to essentially provide the
sidewalk committee with information of a significant public safety issue and to hope that will
provide the incentive for the committee to investigate that need as appropriate.
Hill Street traffic safety concerns: In attendance were Miranda Clarke of 18 Hill Street, and
Bettina McGimsey of 7 Hamblen Street. They recently became aware that Hill Street is
scheduled to be repaved. They are very concerned about this because the road is already
dangerous. The subject of a sidewalk on this road was first addressed in 2009. In 2010 15
residents shared their concerns about the road, but never submitted anything to the SWC.
Ms. Clarke said that the road is a key access route for students traveling to Hastings and
Diamond. There is foot traffic to Bedford Street, the 62 bus, Lexpress. It is also a cut through
from Route 128, and an access route to the Bike Path. Ms McGimsey said that the road is also
traveled by many non-residents going to both Pine Meadows and Lexington Golf Club. The
neighborhood has no easy access to Mass Avenue or Bedford Street due to lack of sidewalks.
During the last week, Ms. Clarke and Ms McGimsey collected information from Hill Street
neighborhood residents. 27 responded to a quick survey. There are 65 residents on a Google
group. 51 have emailed their support for this project. People on Diana Lane, Childs Road,
Bedford Street and others are worried about the speed and volume of cars on Hill Street. There
is also a lack of signage, no bike lane, nor crosswalks. No one has indicated they oppose a new
sidewalk. There is concern that as the populations at Hastings and Diamond increase, Hill
Street will become more dangerous due to increased traffic.
There have been at least a half-dozen accidents near the Milk Street and Hill Street intersection.
Residents are waiting for a tragedy to happen. They realize a sidewalk project is not easy or
cheap, but is necessary.
Mr. Valenti said that Hill Street will be completely reconstructed. He also indicated that the
timing of the request for this sidewalk is poor. It should have happened last year. He wondered
why the 2010 request lost momentum. He said a sidewalk on Hill Street will be extremely
expensive. The final design for the street is not yet finalized. Much of the project will most likely
happen once school is out for the year. He will speak with Dave Cannon in Engineering to get
more details.
Ms. McGimsey is interested that the project is slated for complete reconstruction. She said that
she thinks that a sidewalk is one way to improve the situation for pedestrians. What other
solutions might be available? She will speak with the Traffic Safety group next week.
Mr. Valenti indicated that signage will be updated as a result of the project. He suggested that
Ms. Clarke and Ms. McGimsey circulate a petition for signatures of people in support of a
sidewalk. He said petitions are a powerful and effective tool.
2.DPW Update: Mr. Valenti said that the DPW is in repair mode. They are addressing damage to
roadways, sidewalks and ramps due to the impact of the past winter. They are also preparing
for Patriots’ Day festivities. The water division is repairing hydrants. A contractor is being
hired for sidewalk repair. Robinson Road is up to speed. The binder is down and the project is
moving along well. Soon they will be starting to work on a 2500 ft. section of Turning Mill
Road. The DPW received many compliments regarding the Lincoln pathway over the winter.
They were able to keep is usable despite the tough conditions. Residents are now requesting that
the Old Res pathway be repaired as well. Work to improve the condition of the pathway along
Fairfield Street to North Street will be a phased project. It is a mixed-use path.
Ms. Crocker wanted to know how the Vinebrook Bikeway would be accessible while repairs are
being conducted. Mr. Valenti indicated it would be temporarily closed, and opened as quickly as
possible.
The street resurfacing projects are out to bid through May 28, 2015.
3.Planning Board Update: Ms. Ciccolo said that Article 45, a citizen’s warrant for the 2015
Town Meeting, was adopted. There is no funding in place for it, however. The spirit of the
article is wonderful and augments what the town already does for Safe Routes to School. Ms.
Crocker wanted to know the BOS perspective on this article, and indicated that SRS should be
involved in whatever planning occurs going forward.
4.LPS Transportation Update: On behalf of Elaine Celi, Ms. Crocker shared that the first day of
on-line buss registration was going very well. It is available until May 16, 2015. The fee is $300
during registration (until 5/16). From 5/17 – 6/30, the fee is $500. From July 1 forward the fee
is $685. Payment is due by August. There is a $750 cap per family. If a family is considering
the bus, it is recommended that they register now. It can always be cancelled. July is the
deadline to order buses and drivers. There is also a $50 flexpass from Lexpress, which is
available for middle and high school students. There is also an afterschool bus for elementary
school children. The cost for this is $50 and is provided by LPS. For FY15 the cost per seat
dropped, but not enough to change the $300/seat subsidy the Town of Lexington provides.
5.Safe Routes to School Update: Ms. Crocker said there was no March forum this year.
Harrington Elementary School’s Safe Routes program is up and running and going well. The
Bus and Bike to School Week is scheduled for 5/8/2015 – 5/17/2015. There is an upcoming Bus
Open House on 5/14/2015 thanks to Elaine Celi and C&W Bus.There will also be a hands-on
student chalk activity as a tribute to Sidewalk Sam. This will be organized and run by Safe
Routes To School on Thursday May 14. Ms. Crocker will send the full SRS calendar to the SWC.
6.Correspondence Log: Ms. Steiglitz indicated there were no updates at this time.
7.Sidewalk Committee Website Update: Ms. Canale said there was nothing new to report at this
time.
8.Review of the March 2, 2015 minutes: They were approved as amended.
9.The meeting was adjourned at 10:19 AM. The next meeting of the Sidewalk Committee will be
May 4 at 9 AM in the SMR.
Respectfully submitted by,
Mary Hosmer Fanucci