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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1988-10-13-LCC-min.pdf Lexington Center Committee October 13, 1988 PRESENT: Mrs. Battin, Mary Hastings, Ed Barsamian, Dave Wells, Bob Ossman, Bill Bowen. Also attending were Selectman Ieo McSweeney; Richard White, Town Manager, Police Chief Paul Furdon, Jacqueline Bateson, Steve Crowne, President of Chamber of Commerce; Donna Corrazini, Acting Executive Director of Chamber of Commerce; Esther Arlan, No. Lexington Rep. , Jere Frick, MAPC Rep., Liz Banks, Lexington Minute Man and Fay Bussgang. MINUTES: The minutes of the September 8, 1988 meeting of the L.C.C. were accepted as amended. CROSSWALK ENFORCEMENT Liz Banks was commended for the good articles in past Minute Man. Notices were sent to all students in schools regarding this issue at the time of the poster contest. However, despite prior educational efforts there has been noted a slacking off by motorists and that more jaywalking seemed to be taking place. It was suggested that enforcement be increased for motorist crosswalk violations. Rick White We have a vibrant, active Center, which sometimes results in motor and pedestrian violations. The Police must take a positive role in the Center. Education of the citizenry is the key. It is very difficult to enforce Jay Walking Law as it is also bad for businesses in the area. A period of Public Safety Awareness should be considered. The police have to enforce all laws not specific laws. There were 200 citations issued last year alone. The duties of the Center Officer have not been specifically described in writing. These duties have been reviewed by the Chief and a high priority has been placed on: Pedestrian use of the Center Crosswalks Elimination of double parking Courtesy Proper Pedestrian Awareness Use of the Walk/No Walk signals Implementation of all Police Department Regulations Service Image projected by officers, protection of all communities' citizenry Education process to make the area better place to shop, work, etc. Good signage regarding the rules of the Town The new cross walk on Waltham St. will help somewhat. Chief Furdon Non residents are more apt to break the cross walk law. Less than 25% of the violations are committed by Lexington residents. The 200 citations issued last year are a lot for one violation. There has been more cruiser control on the crosswalks being done. One time Safety program not preferred - continuous, steady education and enforcement. Bill Bowen Placing signs at the entry spots to the Center on Bedford, Woburn, Waltham Sts. and Mass. Ave. warning motorists that Lexington enforces the Cross Walk Law. -2- Chief Furdon Non residents are more apt to break the cross walk law. Less than 25% of the violations are committed by Lexington residents. The 200 citations issued last year are a lot for one violation. There has been more cruiser control on the crosswalks being done. One time Safety programs not preferred - continuous, steady education and enforcement. Bill Bowen Placing signs at the entry spots to the Center on Bedford, Woburn, Waltham Sts. and Mass. Ave. warning motorists that Lexington enforces the cross walk law. Chief Furdon Agreed with that suggestion. Bill Bowen This would help alert motorists and help police officers to deal with the Center. Leo McSweeney How much is the fine now? Chief Furdon State of Mass. $100. , Local $20. Strictly a judgement call on the part of the officer on duty. Selden is a warning issued, immediate citation of $20.00. Leo McSweeney Referred to Belmont's use of experiments in traffic reduction. A vote by the Board of Selectmen is needed to implement any experiments of this nature. Rick White Traffic Planners concur that more restrictions do not necessarily work. A Behavior Modification/Education plus enforcement approach is recommended. Bill Bowen In-Town campaign will not effect most offenders as the highest percentage of offenses are committed by non residents so a combination of many ideas is needed frau industrial sector, commuters, lunch patrons and clients of the area professionals on the subject of pedestrian safety. Mary Hastings To Chief Furdon - Is it possible to enforce the Jaywalking Law? Chief Furdon Courts did implement Jaywalking Law but it was a dismal failure. Impossible to enforce. Best idea is to warn pedestrians to use crosswalks. Steve Crowne The Chamber agrees on all constructive measures. Chamber is willing to help educate the public, warn bicyclists and skateboarders not to ride on sidewalks in the Center. Chief Furdon Students are told not to ride on the sidewalks - verbally warned - Safety Officer goes to all the schools to inform the students of the school safety program. This is a high priority. Lexington Center is unique in design - Four lanes of traffic for a long strip, which is very conducive to motorists cutting around one another. l0/10 -3- Dave Wells Asked the Chief if it would be helpful for the officer on duty in the Center to have the option to push the walk cycle as needed. He also asked why there was no arrow to Waltham St. on the Center light. Chief Furdon The arrow to Waltham St. was turned down by Town Meeting several years ago. Walk cycle cannot be manually advanced out of order. Rick White A delicate balance has to be maintained to help keep pedestrian frustrations to a minimum and also keep the motorists moving in a timely and orderly fashion otherwise clients and shoppers will be discouraged from using the Center. A question from Dave regarding the possible use of a loud speaker frau the police booth prompted this response from Rick. "The use of a loud speaker may be counter productive and not helpful in creating a positive image for the Police Dept." Chief Furdon Officers can get attention without the use of whistle for pedestrians. Whistles mean STOP which could create a bottle neck by vehicles. Esther Arlan The use of bumper stickers with our logo and saying "Lexington enforces the crosswalk law" or " I stop for crosswalks" is a good idea. Steve Crowne It could be possible for the Chamber to help fund the bumper sticker idea. The Executive Board of the Chamber would have to decide on this matter but it is the ultimate responsibility of the Town. Mrs. Battin Maybe it would be possible for a few LCC members to develop a process for industry involvement in informing their employees. A letter from the Chairman of the Bnard of Selectmen requesting they urge employee compliance with crosswalk law would be helpful. Bill Bowen Agreed with Steve Crown's idea for universal sticker placement at all entry points of the town. Steve Crowne A consensus will get the attention of the Chamber. Mrs. Battin In order for every town to work together towards a common goal of pedestrian safety similar to the California statewide objective it should become a Mass. Municipal Issue. Paul Marshall & Rick White should suggest it to the MMA. Bill Bowen The sticker should have more than one color to better show the difference in format - also good design. Jackie Bateman Education most effective manner - the use of flyers in parking lots - selection of 1 or 2 to follow through on. Contact key people at W.R. Grace and Honeywell to help with this. Leo McSweeney Have the selected stickers or flyers placed on bulletin boards at major industries in the area. Bill Bowen Put them on Meriam Street lot booth. Oct. l-23 -4- Fay Bussgang Restaurants and drug stores need reminders placed on their premises. Jackie Bateman There has been some thought that the current poster may be too juvenile to use in all restaurants - suggested Tent cards on tables in eating places. Chief Furdon Our signs go beyond State Law requirements. Fay Bussgang 2 issues here - 1. Motorists - People jump off curbing 2. Pedestrians - 4th lane of cars can not see pedestrians. Clarification needed Chief Furdon "Yield to pedestrian - stopping if necessary" a possibility. Rick White Input needed frau Public Works Director, Safety Officer/LPD. , Superintendent of Schools. Mrs. Battin All departments working together for a month to came up with a positive working plan. Mrs. Battin to Chief Furdon What is the law regarding tour buses leaving their motors on at the Green? Chief Furdon Answer - Only 15 minutes. Mrs. Battin to Rick/Chief/Chamber "What do you want frau the LCC?" Rick White All Working together Chief Furdon .Contacting hi-tech firms a good idea as 25,000 employees frau these companies use the facilities in the Center .Redesign of crosswalks. Leo McSweeney When the Center design is campleted then Mrs. Battin, Bob Ossman, Rick White and he will work on the crosswalk design. Center Design Plan Mrs. Battin David Dixon was chosen as DAC consultant. Contract not signed as yet. It will be soon by Rick White, John Frey and Mr. Dixon. A small working group made up of Norma, Marge Ed frau LCC; John Frey, DAC; John Davies, HDC; Tam Coffman, DAC ; Steve Crowne, Chamber will work with Mr. Dixon. At this time the contact persons are John Frey and Norma Bogen. The written draft of PHASE I of the Center Design Plan will be sent to LCC for review and will contain components for the Design Plan completion re: .Crosswalks .Newspaper dispensers .Bus stop shelters .Lighting .Trash receptacles .Benches, etc. .Tour buses at the Green Lexington Center Committee -5- October 1 1988 Dave Wells The loading bays behind the new Center Building are very unattractive. Mrs. Battin Review of the zoning by-laws regarding loading bays maybe necessary for the future. Base Map Update Bob Ossman Additional site evaluation for base map completion is being done by the Engineering Dept. LCC not able to do now. Maps will need to be reduced to 11x17 in size and then reproduced for all members and interested citizens. MAPC Conference Jere Frick David Dixon is to be key speaker at the MAPC Fall conference. Telephone Trucks/Parking Rick White Special permit parking is provided for employees of the Tel. Co. not for trucks. A request has been made to the Tel. Co. to move trucks off Waltham St. on the permit areas. Dave Wells What will be gained by moving the Telephone trucks? Mrs. Battin Permit parking is not now being fully utilized. Rick White This move will free up business parking areas. Directional Arrows Bob Ossman Asked if directional arrows could be painted in certain lanes at at least some of the many intersections: Left turn lane designation; Right turn lane designation. Rick White A solution to this is much more complex than appears. It is an infrastructure issue - lane width problems. Many intersections are controlled by the State DPW and it is highly unlikely that the State would approve. The overall issue is the channelization of parking. Design Plan Rick White There are not enough resources available, personnel is too thin for more involvement in the Design Plan. The need for prioritizing is necessary as Engineering is now doing siting evaluation for the Base Map completion. Harrington Road/Bedford St. Intersection Bob Ossman The poor view due to fence/trees/hedges at the intersection of Harrington Road and Bedford Street was again discussed. Leo McSweeney This issue should be referred to the Traffic Safety Camm. for review and recommendation. The next meeting of the LCC will be on Thursday, November 17 at 12 Noon, Selectmen's Meeting Roan. The Meeting was adjourned at 1:47 p.m. Respectfully submitted: Audrey E. Deshler