HomeMy WebLinkAbout2017-02-27-GCC-min
Greenways Corridor Committee
February 27, 2017
Ellen Stone Room, Cary Hall
Lexington, Massachusetts
Members Present: Mal Crawford, Alex Dohan, Peggy Enders, Eileen Entin, Bob Hausslein,
Susan Kenyon, Keith Ohmart, Mike Tabaczynski
Other Attendees: none
Votes: Minutes from 1/23/2017 meeting: Approved
Letter regarding Lexington Hills development: Approved
Reports/Updates:
• The by-right development was approved for 0 Grove St. The Balanced Housing proposal will
be presented at the March 15 Planning Board meeting. A development is also being pro-
posed on Cedar St. There is no good place for a trail there, nor does it easily abut existing
properties with trails.
• Lexington Hills - Keith explained that various parties had discussed trail access in regard to
the development there, and come to an agreement.
• Mike, Mal, and Keith met with Aileen from the Lexington Montessori School. LMS has not
made final decisions about what they will do with the property they have recently purchased
from the Belmont Country Club. The first step will be an official Wetland Delineation. This will
help determine property value, and be important for the possibility of a Conservation Re-
striction or potential sale. LMS would be interested in a Public Use trail option. MassDOT and
the MWRA already have an easement on the property along Rte 2, where a new fence might
be required. American Tower holds an easement from Concord Ave, but that is not the area
of interest to GCC. About 600 feet of boardwalk would be required to make a passable trail
from the Montessori School down to Concord Ave. We discussed possible funding from the
Recreational Trails Program, Fields Pond Trust, and perhaps a fundraising project through
Citizens for Lexington Conservation. A key point is that this trail would help connect the
Western Greenway. LMS will contact GCC if and when they are ready to move forward.
• Keith and Mike met again with Carol Kowalski. The situation of trails on unaccepted streets
has not yet been resolved. It could be possible to have the Town name the street a Bike
Route, which would then make the Town responsible for it. This led to a discussion of how to
handle the Route H trail going through Coppersmyth Way. Should we put up our signs and
see if they notice? Should we approach the Homeowners Association first? There is an exist-
ing easement through the woods to the Bridge School, and public use of the street is al-
lowed. Can we take a look at the Deed to see what is permissible? Do we know anyone who
lives there?
• The issue of who is responsible for open space that is not expressly Conservation (or Recre-
ation, or another Town Dept) is being looked into. Typically Conservation is supported by the
DPW. Keith will give Carol a list of properties in question. It boils down to a question of
budget resources. An area of Spencer St and Joseph St was brought up as an example.
Ongoing Business:
• Route H - A site assessment at Lincoln and Marrett needs to be done, but there is a 50 foot
right-of-way for the street and it extends into the parking lot. It would be good to find the
granite bounds denoting the ROW. If the weather cooperates the route signs and posts can
go in soon. The only questionable areas are the intersection of Lincoln and Marrett, and Cop-
persmyth Way.
• The ACROSS Lexington website needs to be updated. It is unclear exactly who is responsi-
ble for that. Mike has the map ready including Route F, and it would be easy to add Routes
G and H.
• There are about 3000 brochures left from the last printing, so we have distributed more than
in previous years. We will start putting them out again in time for Patriot’s Day
• Route repairs - Route B needs to be adjusted slightly since the crosswalk at the Library has
been moved. Peggy & Keith will look into that and come up with a solution. Arlington Great
Meadow is another area that needs some attention, and the intersection at Lowell and Sand-
erson. Bob will put marker signs and screws in his shed and GCC members can take some
as they walk routes to make repairs.
New Business:
Bike Walk Bus Week will be May 13-21, 2017
Jeanne Krieger has asked for our support for June 17 Alzheimer’s Walk - not officially
GCC, but will support
Strategic Plan Review - tabled until March 27 meeting
Pending Items:
• Garfield St abutter indemnity
• Generic Town property signs (Mike)
• Seasonal trail maintenance on non-Conservation properties
Next Meeting: March 27, 4:30-6:00pm, Ellen Stone Room
Future meetings: May 1, May 22, Jun 19
Proposed later 2017 meeting dates: (Jul 24), (Aug 28), Sep 25, Oct 23, Nov 27, Dec 18 (3rd
Monday)
Future Agenda Items: None at this time beyond continued trail investigation and development
Respectfully Submitted by
Alexandra Dohan, Secretary