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