HomeMy WebLinkAbout1988-11-17-LCC-min.pdf L YINGTON CENTER Ca'IMITTEn
November 17, 1983-12 Noon
PRESENT: Acting Chairman Carla Fortmann, Bob Ossman, Ed Barsamian; Fay Bussgana,
Bill Bowen, David Welles, Morton Kahan. Also attending were Cant.
Kilmartin, L.P.D. , Leo McSweeney, Selectman Liaison, and Liz Banks,
LexingtonMinute-Man.
NalISTIBERS
Mrs. Fortmann opened the meeting by welcimong two new members to the Committee:
Fay Bussgang and Morton Kahan.
MINUSES
The minutes of the L.C.C. Meeting on October 13, 1988, were approved as presented.
TIMETABLE, CROSSWALK CAMPAIGN
A timetable for aspects of the Crosswalk Observance Campaign was considered. It
was agreed that public education through the school system and the Chamber of Commerce,
in addition to stepped up law enforcement would be undertaken.
The winning Crosswalk Observance poster, colored if pissible,, will be used in the
schools.
Ed Barsamian reported that the Chamber of Commerce would provide bumper stickers
for distribution in schools.
Bill Bowen suggested that the stickers could be used in places other than cars
and that permission be sought to hang a banner, similar to the "Vote Today" L.W.V.
banner, across Mass. Avenue.
Capt. Kilmartin informed the Committee that citations for. crosswalk violations to
motorists had totalled 186 in 1987. In 1988, to 11/1, 210 citations had been issued.
Bill Bowen felt that enforcement and education in the Center is most important and
stressed that people should be made aware as they approach that Lexington is enforcing
its crosswalk laws. He suggested additional signage on the existing barrels stating
that fact as strongly as possible.
Question arose as to why some of the crosswalk warning barrels in the Center had
been removed. Capt. Kilmartin noted that there had been no direction to the Police
Dept. as to where the barrels should be located and that green warning signs had
replaced the barrels at some points.
Capt. Kilmartin felt that Bill Bowen's additonal sign idea was a good one but
added that too many signs can be ineffective and counterproductive.
Mr. Bowen proposed that the signs read: "Lexington is enforcing crosswalk laws"
and be placed on barrels on the periphery of the Center. Mrs. Bussgang suggested
that '$20 fine" be added
David Welles agreed that the warning barrels are effective in the Center but did
not favor additional language on them.
Bob Ossman said he did not like the idea of the barrels in the road because they
seemed to be too wide for safety. He favored some other appropriately designed warning
device. Mrs. Fortmann suggested that the barrels be used for now but that the Design
Advisory Committee be asked to provide ideas on other ways to alert motorists.
It was agreed that the additional signage will be placed on barrels near the
Post Office and Cary Library and, if considered safe because of the narrowness of the
roadway, on Waltham Street near Vine Brook Road.
David Welles suggested an annual crosswalk observance week and it was decided that
this years effort would be made to hold it in December and in subsequent yrs around
Halloween.
-2-
Bill Bowen said that he would like to see installation of even more barrels
i.e. on Bedford Street near the Battle Green, at the Hancock Church near Harrington
Road and on Woburn Street. Mr. McSweeney will talk with the Town Manager about that
possibility and will also ask about installation of a "One Way" sign at the Mass.
Avenue end of Muzzey Street.
Mrs. Fortmann proposed that the public education campaign be started in January
through the school system and newspaper publicity.
The design of bumper stickers was discussed. It was agreed that the slogan should
be short and eye catching and Fay Bussgang suggested "I stop at crosswalks".
Bob Ossman asked Liz Banks about the possibility of distributing bummer stickers
with the newspaper. She did not seem to be too optimistic that it could be done.
Distribution of a flyer in the Center stores and in parking lots, and an ad in
the Minute-Man Gift Guide were discussed.
Regarding the design of the "I stop at crosswalks" sticker, Bob Ossman suggested
that its background be black and white and with a zebra striping, similar to a cross-
walk, with the words in color.
Respectfully submitted,
Marion H. Snow