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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1987-09-24-LCC-min.pdf LEXINGTON CENTER COMMITTEE September 24, 1987, Meeting Selectmen's Meeting Room Mrs. Battin opened the meeting at 12:00 Noon. Others present were Bill Bowen, Bob Ossman, David Wells, Norma Bogen, Marian Powell , Ed Barsamian, Mary Hastings. Also in attendance were Angela Frick and Sgt. Robert Raposa, L.P.D. MINUTES Minutes of the L.C.C. meeting on July 9, 1987, were approved as corrected. CLEANING OF THE CENTER Mrs. Battin referred to her preparation of a draft letter to be sent to Lexington Center food establishments requesting extra attention to outside cleanli- ness and the control of litter. The letter had been reviewed by the Board of Health at the request of Mr. Eddison. The Health Board had suggested several additions and suggested that it be sent to all food dispensers in Town. Mrs. Battin asked if cleanliness efforts by the proprietors had been apparent to L.C.C. members. Mrs. Powell noted that barrels had been put out by the Coffee Connection and others but felt that a major cause of untidiness was litter and other refuse caught between cracks in the brick sidewalks. She suggest that a sidewalk sweeper be hired, whose salary could be shared by the Chamber of Commerce and the Town. Mary Hastings reported that the efforts by the Senior Center Group had not been very successFul and that High School student seemed to provide no solution on an on-going basis. She suggested that younger students might be tried. Mr. Wells felt that the efforts of the businessmen should be acknowledged and suggested building on the positive, with frequent reminders of the clean-up effort. Mr. Ossman had doubts that any volunteer system would work and recommended that a Town worker be assigned on a regular basis to work with proper equipment and tech- niques. Mr. Bowen pointed out the responsibility of the Town for more frequent attention to parking lot litter. RECONSTRUCTION - BURNED OUT BUILDINGS Charles Hagenah, Architect, was present to report on progress with reconstruction of the burned out buildings in the Center. He displayed a detailed model showing the design features, character and colors proposed for the new building. He pointed out that the longer than expected delay in demolition had been due to the obtaining detailed cost estimates and complex procedures for disposal of contami- nated water which had been stored in the basement area. Historic Districts approval of colors is steill pending. Mr. Hagenah explained the layout plan of the building, including a garage area, loading bays and front and back entrances. He explained desing features and uses of the first and second floors noting that Bel Canto will occupy a significant portion of floor space on both floors. All tenants will be retail operations i .e. Driscolls, Waldenbooks and Bel Canto, with the Northwest Insurance Agcy. on the second floor. Several spaces are still available. Mr. Hagenah projected completion of the building in ten months or possibly earlier. • -2- There was discussion of the potential for water in the basements. Mr. Hagenah referred to test borings which had shown wet conditions not to be an issue for con- cern. He will , however, explore that possibility further. Mrs. Frick noted that -- the area had been swampy and had been filled and recommended that Mr. Hagenah be in touch with Charles Syman, Conservation Administrator, fcr more information. On behalf of the Committee, Mrs. Battin thanked Mr. Hagenah for his exciting presentation and the helpful and interesting information provided. ADDITIONAL TAXI STANDS Sgt. Robert Raposa, L.P.D. , was present for discussion of the question of need for additional taxi stands in Lexington Center, referred to the L.C.C. by the Board of Selectmen. Carla Fortmann, absent from the meeting, had informed Mrs. Battin of hvr sense that compeititon between the two taxi companies was beneficial . She suggested spill- over spaces at Grace Chapel , Stop & Shop or Hayden Recreation Center. Sgt. Raposa recapped the current taxi situation noting that there are a total of 18 licensed taxis. Because there are only three stands in the Center, there had been friction between the taxi companies and illegal parking of cabs when the number had been increased to 18. This problem seems to have lessened. He pointed out that there are two unmarked stands in East Lexington (Mass. Ave. at Charles St. ) which are rarely, if ever, used. Mrs. Powell felt that the burden should be on the cab companies to negotiate and present a parking plan to the Town. Mr. Ossman suggested that if the problem in the Center has lessened there seemed to be no need to add taxi stands. He suggested that the cab companies negotiate with the Stop & Shop for spaces on its parking lot. Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to recommend to the Board of Selectmen that the number of taxi stands in the center remain the same (three stands and that the taxi companies be encouraged to negotiate with the Stop & Shop if additional spillover space proves to be needed. The Committee is opposed to removal of any parking meters in the Center to pro- vide taxi stands. TAXI INSPECTIONS The L.C.C. concurred with Sgt. Raposa's suggestion and the Selectmen's decision that inspections of taxicabs be scheduled on a three per year basis. CROSSWALK OBSERVANCE -CONTEST Mary Hastings reported on the progress of the Crosswalk Observance contest. The art teachers in the schools have been contacted and they will coordinate the contest for participation of art students. A total of 9 prizes will be awarded, with 3 prizes in each of 3 categories: $75 1st prize; $30 2nd prize; $20 3rd. Marian Powell stated that October 9th had been chosen for the date for posters to be submitted for judging. Ed Barsamian, Leo McSweeney, Mary Hastings and a member of the Police Dept. will on the judging team. The focus of the posters will be on safety awareness i.e. anti-jaywalking and crsswalk/lights observance. Colors used will be limited to black, yellow, red and green. Peel back posters were discussed as a possi- ble option for use in the window panels of the entrance doors of shops. The Minuteman will be asked to republish the specific crosswalk rules and regulations. • 44,44 CROSSWALK, LIBRARY TO BUCKMAN TAVERN Mrs. Frick pointed out that the entire area in f on o the inuteman statue /! _needs to be studied as there is more than one safety issue at this location. Mr. Barsamian suggested that a traffic light may be needed at that spot. CROSSWALK, WALTHAM STREET • At this point, the issue of a new crosswalk on Waltham Street in the Center area was discussed. The matter had been referred to the L.C.C. by the Board of Selectmen. The Committee unanimously voted to recommend that a crosswalk be placed on Waltham Street at VineBrook Rd. to accommodate persons who park in the municipal parking lot. DESIGN ADVISORY COMMITTEE Norma Bogen reported on the status of the Design Advisory Committee's functions. A meeting had been held with H.D.C. members to inform the D.A.C. as to the range of responsibility of the H.D.C. Common guidelines will be developed between the H.Q.C. , the D.A.C. , and the L.C.C. PARKING DECK Bob Ossman displayed a 50-scale Base Map of the Center from Woburn Street up to and including the Green. Mrs. Battin will ask the Selectmen if either Engineering or the Planning Dept. would be responsible for adding necessary information on the map. The map will show existing parking spaces and will be used to determine the best possible location for possible construction of a parking deck. The meeting was adjourned at 2:00 p.m. Marion Snow Audrey Deshler NEXT MEETING OF THE L.C.C. WILL BE ON THURSDAY, OCTOBER 29th, IN THE SELECTMEN'S MEETING ROOM AT 12:00 NOON.