HomeMy WebLinkAbout2022-03-03-GCC-min RECEIVED
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Greenways Corridor Committee
Final Minutes TOWN CL,ERK
3 March 2022
4:30 to 6:05 pm via Zoom Conference
LEXINGTON
Members Present: Mal Crawford, Alex Dohan, Peggy Enders, Bob Hausslein,
Bobak Moshiri, Keith Ohmart (chair), Stephen Perkins, Mike Tabaczynski
Members Absent: Eileen Entin
Other Attendees: Mark Sandeen (Select Board liaison), Susan Kenyon
Meeting Minutes of Feb 3, 202 approved unanimously.
Reports/Updates
Parker Meadow trail closure — Route A
Construction has begun at Parker Meadow. Keith has installed temporary route
markers — along bikeway and Revere to Hancock. The wayfinding sign was
removed for construction access. Keith to ask Conservation for permission to
relocate it nearby.
Bike/Walk to School Day — May 4
Anyone interested in being a volunteer "guide" should contact Keith.
Burlington ACROSS sign approval in Landlocked Forest Update
Mike reported on delays in getting before the Burlington Selectmen. Another
project, with its own complications, is ahead of us in the queue. Mike
recommended not pushing at this time. So "Route 4" (on Mike's planning map) as
previously envisioned going through the Landlocked Forest cannot work at this
time. Discussed options of using local streets (Turning Mill to Gould to Grove) or
posting route signs right up to the town boundary and leaving it to users to find
the other end or using the town boundary as a bypass. All of these are
suboptimal and would require additional field recon. Agreement that we cannot
resolve this before the next edition of the brochure and should keep the brochure
update moving ahead.
There was a brief discussion of the timing for "Route 5" — it will probably be a
couple of years before it can be completed given the pending redevelopment of
the BSC site. Future routes will be further discussed at the April meeting.
WalkMassachusetts Network Report
Peggy participated in a Feb 16th meeting. WMA is an offshoot of WalkBoston
which is looking to expand outward. Affiliates in Arlington, Medford and Fall River
made presentations. Peggy sees this as a good opportunity to learn from other
communities with interest in walking for transportation. [Side note: WalkBoston's
website has town-by-town subpages, including one for Lexington, which maps a
walk on Mass Ave from Arlington to Battle Green. No reference to ACROSS.]
Transportation Safety Group Report
Peggy attended the February meeting and reported that Lexington is looking to
create a Vision Zero action plan — goal: elimination of all traffic fatalities, including
pedestrians. Having a plan opens opportunities for funding. The TSG is looking
for projects that are actionable in the next 3-4 months. There is no current
connection to the Bike/Ped plan, but it is hoped in the future that the Bike/Ped
plan will include actionable projects. Peggy noted that the TSG has allocated
$30k for the Bike/Ped plan which will hopefully be augmented by $60k at Town
Meeting.
Bike/Ped Plan Statement Update
The $60k is not on the Article 12 consent agenda for Town Meeting since it is a
"new" appropriation. Agreement that it was important to have a supporting
statement available if there are questions at Town Meeting.
Vote: A motion to recommend to the Select Board to support Article 12b and 12n
(Streetscape improvements at Bedford/Hancock/Harrington intersection) at Town
Meeting was unanimously approved by the committee. Keith was delegated to
draft and submit this recommendation to the Select Board. Mark Sandeen will
provide liaison to the Select Board on this matter.
Ongoing Business
Brochure/Map redesign update
The subgroup has made the plans for the updated design of the new brochure.
With closure on not including "Route 4", the new additions will be routes N and P.
Posts and signage for P will be installed in the spring. The group will get
everything ready to go to the printer for July printing.
Discuss using double arrow (H) symbol for connector trail segments
Keith opened a discussion of how to mark connector trail segments (e.g., Grove
St across 95/128 to connect N with Rt 4) that are not formal labeled routes and
perhaps also "on ramps" directing users to paths that lead to labeled routes (e.g.,
Hayes Ln, Saddle Club Rd). Keith to meet with a group that would like such a
connection along the edge of the center recreation area along the pool and
tennis courts, parallel to Parker St. Agreed that this needs further discussion to
consider criteria and symbols, how/whether to include on map.
Summer Lexington High School brochure distributor coordinator needed
Susan is relinquishing this role after 7 years. Involves coordination with guidance
department to make opportunities for delivering maps to holders along routes
available to students needing community service hours. This activity cannot start
until the new brochures are in hand. Contact Susan if you need more details. Let
Keith know if you are willing to take this on.
New Business
Review GIS mapping discussion with Kathy Santos
Mike reported on a meeting with Kathy and team. The town can add an ACROSS
"theme" to the MapGeo system the town uses to map all kinds of things. There
are already "themes" for such things as Historic Districts, Conservation and
Recreation. This would enable us to discontinue use of the old app in lieu of
future GIS interactive capability and could also enable a "you are here" function if
supported by a user's phone. Mike will be meeting with GIS staff and
Conservation over the coming months.
Ticklers for Future Agendas
Proposal to survey ACROSS brochure users — Fall Project (Susan)
Plowing Lower Vinebrook path next winter.
Meeting adjourned at 6:05 pm
Next Meeting: April 7, 2022, at 4:30 pm via Zoom
Future Meeting Dates: May 5, June 2, September 8, October 6, November 3,
December 1