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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2014-09-08-WALKS-min (DRAFT) DRAFT-DRAFT-DRAFT • Lexington Sidewalk Committee Meeting Minutes Monday, September 8,2014, 9 AM Selectmen's Meeting Room Present: Jeanne Canale,Judy Crocker,Mary Fanucci,Bettina McGimsey, Francine Stieglitz,Craig Weeks; Liaisons present: Elaine Celi,Michelle Ciccolo,Tim Dunn, Marc Valenti; Visitors: Bonnie Brown,John Livsey,Hank Manz,Tom Shipple,Karin Travers Judy Crocker called the meeting of the Sidewalk Committee(SWC)to order at 9:05 AM. 1. Public Comment • Karin Travers of 10 Flintlock Road spoke to the SWC regarding the crosswalk at Burlington Street and Simonds Road. She reported that it is difficult to see the crosswalk when one is driving northward on Burlington Street. She requested that the site be evaluated with safety issues in mind. A flashing sign or perhaps an electronic speed board would be helpful. John Livsey asked whether this request had been sent to the Traffic Safety Advisory Committee(TSAC). It was noted that a request had gone to TSAC a number of years ago. Mr. Livsey said he would find out what was happening. Francine Stieglitz requested that the SWC should get a response from TSAC when the SWC forwards them a request. • Tom Shipple of 18 Phinney Road raised a maintenance issue regarding the sidewalk at 10 Phinney Road. Dirt has accumulated there and narrowed the sidewalk. He would appreciate if the sidewalk could be exposed to the intended 5 feet. He also mentioned that grading might be needed. Marc Valenti noted that the sidewalk on Phinney Road has more issues than debris. The sidewalk itself is the issue,as it is beyond its useful life. Mr. Valenti noted that his team would address this once the sidewalk inventory is completed in October in terms of prioritization. Mr. Shipple noted that in his opinion the sidewalk does have a useful life. Mr. Valenti noted that he would take care of the debris in the short term. Mr. Shipple also thanked DPW/Mr. Valenti for the work on the path from Lincoln Park to Middleby. He asked whether there were plans to continue the path from Middleby to Marrett. Mr.Valenti said he would look into this for the future. The fence along the path by the Old Res would remain standing. 2. Engineering Update John Livsey reported on the following projects: • Hancock Rotary has been completed. Still needs to complete signage installation. It appears that students are following the walkways. Diamond principal did a great job sending out information about the fact that the rotary was changing. There have been some concerns that as people go through the rotary too quickly they might flip a car if they hit the curb. Signs will be going up to note that a rotary is coming up to facilitate drivers slowing down as they enter the rotary. • Robinson Road is under construction. Has a lot of drainage,hydrant, and utility work. As they've been working,they've hit a lot of ledge, leading to a lot of excavation work. The hope is that it will be finished during the fall,but most likely it will be finalized in the spring. • Bedford Street-most obtrusive work was done at night. The majority of the sidewalks are being replaced and should be done by some point in October. • Concord Avenue is currently in the permitting stage. The project has issues with drainage and a lot of tree removal. Mr. Livsey needs to meet with the direct abutters to address both the healthy and unhealthy trees. Based on those conversations, he will determine if the design works or if a redesign is needed. Once done,the trees will be posted for a Shade Tree hearing. • Bikeway had two parts repaved. Work on this will continue. They are improving crossings to be more in line with current standards. Two culverts need to be replaced which will cause bikeway closure. • As of next year the Bedford jug handle will have a sidewalk along Hartwell Avenue that will continue past the hospital with a bus stop. A safe pedestrian crossing will also be built. Town of Bedford is doing sewer work along Bedford Street so will not work on these projects until that is done. Lexington is paying for this entire sidewalk and crosswalk work at the Bedford jug handle. 4. 0,t y p !�► DRAFT-DRAFT-DRAFT " ',�.,•, i wing at Wood Street and Mass Ave is also being delayed due to the sewer work in Bedford. • Important that schools be made aware that buses might be late due to this construction. 3. DPW Update Marc Valente reported on the following sidewalk projects: • Forest Street/Clarke Street: Shrubs have been removed at this intersection. • Mass Ave from Muzzey to Forest: They have rebuilt all four ADA ramps. • Clarke/Forest: Rebuilt ADA ramps. • Forest has a new sidewalk on the north side from Waltham to Mass Avenue and on the south side from Belfry Terrace to Waltham. Bettina McGimsey asked whether the sidewalk would continue to Mass Ave. Mr. Valenti noted that there is an issue with the trees at that point of the street. They would have to go through an easement process. • Clarke Street will get a sidewalk from Forest tot eh Center playground. • Will work on Turning Mill this season if possible,but weather will determine whether that can be done. Mr. Valenti then noted that the inventory of sidewalks would be done by October. It will give each sidewalk a condition index. Ms. Stieglitz asked whether the inventory would be available to anyone who wants it. Mr.Valenti noted that it is not available for viewing at this time. Just maintaining it will be a significant undertaking. Mr. Weeks asked whether data can be uploaded to the GIS system- it needs to be able to integrated into the Lexington GIS system. Ms. McGimsey noted that unlike the old Master Plan,this sidewalk inventory would not include the streets that do not have sidewalks but have been noted as needing them. Somehow we need to keep this information alive as well. Determining the priority for maintenance of sidewalks is based on the following: • Where is the sidewalk? • How many people use the sidewalk?(No official pedestrian counts,rather look at SRTS data; whether it is near commercial properties, playgrounds,or the library; observations of who walks during snow) • Where does it lie in relation to schools? • Is it plowed? Jeanne Canale asked whether this methodology is online. It is explained in the article that goes to Town Meeting every year. Ms. Crocker raised an issue that had been discussed on the Lexington yahoo list regarding the use of asphalt vs. concrete. Mr.Valenti noted that sidewalks are generally replaced in kind if possible. If there is a mixture of asphalt and concrete,whatever material represents 51%of the former sidewalk is what is used to replace. Sidewalks closer to Town Center are generally concrete. Concrete is more expensive, but looks nicer. Asphalt is more easily maintained and flexible which helps with tree roots. The committee noted that we should not respond to yahoo list comments. Michelle Ciccolo raised the issue of parking off road on sidewalks or the asphalt berm. This is dangerous at all times, but particularly in the winter when pedestrians are forced to walk out onto the street. People are supposed to park in the gutter. This should be made a priority with a public awareness campaign and ticketing. She noted that the Town has materials about appropriate parking that should be sent out. Ms. Crocker noted that the SWC generally puts something out in the Minuteman about these types of issues. Ms. Cicolo noted that two small sections of sidewalk will be done on Shade Street-this did not come before the SWC. 4. LPS Transportation Update Elaine Celi reported that 3145 children are enrolled to ride the bus. One additional bus route was needed DRAFT-DRAFT-DRAFT for LHS,for a total of 25 buses. Clarke and Estabrook both have new plans for traffic. Clarke has 69% bus ridership and Estabrook has 51%. At LHS 700 out of 2100 students ride the bus. 5. Safe Routes to School(SRTS) Update: Ms. Crocker reported on a number of issues: • The International Walk to School Day is 10/8/14. Every school except Diamond and Harrington have SRTS committees • Still determining where SRTS should sit. Mr. Valenti will talk with other towns about where their SRTS committee/administrator sits. Brookline and Wellesley are similar towns with highly engaged communities that we should research. 6. Correspondence Log Ms. Stieglitz reported on the following correspondence: • Mr. Lauriat would like a crosswalk from Tricon Road to Marret Road. He had requested this from TSAC and had received an acknowledgment from them. Issue is that Marrett Road is a state road-it will be up to Mass DOT to address the crosswalk. • David Duff sent a message that bushes are obstructing Clarke Street on the southwest corner. He would also like a master list of all DPW sidewalk repairs. 7. Tax Title Property-26 Laconia Street • Question is whether the Town should sell it to the abutter. Ms.Ciccolo asked about the objectives for the street. Her recommendation is that the Town reserve an easement at the street side of the parcel to ensure that it retains its right of way. Tim Dunn noted that the last remaining school parcel is located on this street-if a school is ever built, Laconia may need a sidewalk. • Motion was taken for the Sidewalk Committee to recommend to the Board of Selectmen to accept the request for the Tax Title Proprety at 26 Laconia Road with the reservation that the Town reserve its right to retain an easement for future pedestrian use and access. --� • Unanimous vote to approve. 8. SWC Town Report • Changes included adding some information from DPW/Engineering on sidewalks maintained, installed, as well as ADA ramps. • Motion was made to accept the FY2014 SWC Town Report as amended. • Unanimous vote to approve. 9. Committee Member Positions/Liaisons • Sean Osbourne: Tree liaison • Judy Crocker- Safe Routes • Need a new chair • Jerry Van Hook has resigned,and Craig Weeks has officially been approved to serve. 10. Review ofJune Minutes Minutes were approved as amended. The meeting was adjourned at 11:00 AM. The next meeting of the Sidewalk Committee will be October 5, 2014,at 9 AM in the SMR. Respectfully submitted by, Bettina McGimsey , H \__.,' ,__..,