Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout2026-03-19-GCC-min.docx Greenways Corridor Committee Meeting Minutes of March 19, 2026 Present in Person: Keith Ohmart (chair), Alex Dohan, Peggy Enders, David Frohman, Bob Hausslein, Daisy Liu, Bobak Moshiri, Stephen Perkins, Mike Tabaczynski (non-voting) Present Virtually: Susan Kenyon (non-voting), Joe Pato (Select Board Liaison) The February 12 Meeting Minutes were accepted unanimously. Reports/Updates Bikeway Closure. It is not clear when the Bow Street to Maple Avenue section of the Bikeway will be reopened, probably in May. The closure between Bedford Street and Hartwell Avenue noted by Mike was for tree work. Patriots Day Parade April 18. Keith, Stephen, Bob, and Daisy have signed up. Others are encouraged to join. Bob will bring the ACROSS banner. Discovery Day May 23 10 am to 3 pm. Staffing needed. Bobak, Bob and Peggy are definite. Alex, David, and Eileen are possible. Safe Routes to School. Nothing to report since last meeting. Traffic Safety Advisory Group. Keith displayed Peggy’s draft letter, previously distributed by email expressing GCC’s support of three warrants that will be up for vote at Town Meeting. Peggy elaborated and referred to the link which describes the warrants in detail. Joe Pato said the Select Board is in support. After discussion, we voted unanimously to have the letter submitted to Town Meeting on GCC stationary from Keith. Peggy will distribute to TMMA and read aloud at Town Meeting and submit to Kelly Axtell. GCC members are encouraged to send the revised letter to their Town Meeting Members. Updates: Keith will send a signup sheet for Route inspection and repair. He will also resend for the signup sheet for brochure box refilling for updating. The new brochures should be available in two weeks. Mike is submitting the new brochure info to the town’s IT department for website updating. Route 8/Concord Avenue: Keith reported that the $20,000 left over from the Lexington Hills Development is now available for the surveying. A site meeting coordinated by Planning Department staff will soon be scheduled to determine the location of the crosswalk. The assistant for Karen Muillins has been hired, thereby increasing her capacity to move projects along - such as Route 8/Concord Avenue, Emerson Gardens/Arlingtons Great Meadow, and rerouting the L trail through the Widnall property. Memorial Bench Program. Bobak reviewed the purpose of the proposed program, a marketing tool, in which individuals could pay for the purchase and installation of benches on ACROSS trails. Discussion evolved over costs (wood about $2500, stone about $5000), durability, maintenance, permanence (perpetuity?), locations, and approval process. Because the Conservation Commission’s approval would be needed at most sites, it was agreed they should be approached before stimulating general interest. Informal discussion with the chair of the Commission, Ruth Ladd, was recommended. Bobak will follow up. Destination Sign Program. Keith reviewed the history of this proposal to put up small signs showing distance to destinations of interest. We discussed lack of demand, especially in light of so many higher priority activities, and decided to table it for now. Mike mentioned that the large wayfinding signs go out of date faster than we had originally anticipated, recommending not replacing them, given the expense and work. Daisy questioned whether the ACROSS app will be updated, given its popularity and usefulness, particularly showing exactly where you are. Mike and Susan explained the history of the app, making it very difficult to update. Mike suggested using an existing app such as AllTrails in such a way that it be a controlled and coordinated product, inasmuch as trails posted by the general public vary in accuracy and consistency. As a start, Keith suggested recording our individual trail inspections for submission to AllTrails. Facebook Page. No new activity. Peggy mentioned the the Bikeway Commuter Breakfast will be held on Thursday May 7 at the Depot, 6:30 to 9:00 am. Daisy, Bobak, and David volunteered to staff it. The next GCC Meeting will be held on Thursday April 9 in the Parker Room. Meeting adjourned by unanimous vote at 5:35 pm. Minutes by Bob Hausslein