HomeMy WebLinkAbout2009-07-13-WALKS-min
Lexington Sidewalk Committee Meeting
th
Minutes of July 13, 2009, 11:00 am Selectman’s Board Room
Members Present
: Jerry Van Hook (chair), Lucy Fletcher-Jones, Margaret Lotz,
Suzie Barry
Liaisons Present
: Richard Canale (Planning Board), Jeanne Krieger (Board of
Selectman), Wayne Brooks (DPW)
Guests
: Jane Kalinski (Hastings SR2S), John Livsey (Town Engineer).
1. Review of May Minutes and discussion/Approval of June Minutes
Some small changes were made to the June minutes and both May and June minutes were
approved. Final approved minutes will be distributed to the Committee by the person
writing the minutes. Lucy Fletcher-Jones (web site) will then send to Candy McLaughlin
for posting to the Town web site and to archives for filing.
2. SWC Attendance requirements
Jerry wrote to the members who rarely come to meetings – Laura Cecere and Sara
Chamberlain. He also contacted the Board of Health liaison, Sharon McKenzie about
continuing with the committee and, if not, if an alternate might be named. Laura replied
that she could not continue as a member. He will write again to pursue a response from
Sarah and Sharon.
3. Roosevelt Road Project
After several meetings, and after the Selectmen had approved the project, a request was
received from abutters Monica Grewal and Jeff Ruberti for an engineering or any town
representative to explain the installation plan, as there were physical obstructions on the
north side to be managedThe SWC would like to advise Engineering to consider the
.
need for snow plowing and a curb when designing the sidewalk. Wayne Brooks replied
that DPW would survey and try to make the sidewalk 5’ wide on the townside of the
property line to enable snow plowing. Jeanne Krieger confirmed that the Sidewalk
Committee is officially no longer involved in this project and Engineering are now
leading it and should answer any questions and concerns from the public. Jane Kalinski
asked for a general procedure for installing a sidewalk. Jeanne Krieger responded that it
was different for every one.
4. Safe Mass Ave Committee and review of Engineering plans
Jerry reported that the Mass Ave Committee were donated barrels to hold the flags to be
placed on either side of 3 crosswalks on Eastern Mass Ave. TSAC were consulted and
expressed a neutral opinion on the idea. The committee is aiming to start using the flags
in September.
Engineering view on Mass Ave: some cyclists have expressed concern over the safety of
the intersections.There are no special plans for eastern Mass Ave. Richard Canale
reported that the Planning Board master plan study for Mass Ave has started and will take
2 years. Funding may come in 3 years.
5. Progress on Spring Street and Woburn St Sidewalk projects
John Livsey reported:
Spring Street: Sidewalks moving along well
Woburn Street: After a new sidewalk was installed, it had to be removed to allow a gas
main to be replaced. The Gas Co had been given notice of the sidewalk 2 years
previously. The sidewalk will be replaced at the Gas Company’s expense.
6. Lex Gardens project
The PB hearing was a contentious meeting. The developer is following the letter of the
law not the spirit. The developer wishes for 12 units, the town wishes for these to be in a
cluster. The developer has submitted a sketch for a 12 unit cluster which may be
approved. There will be a sidewalk on Hancock along the entire frontage of the
development. The street entrance is further away from the roundabout than before so
developer believes that the traffic situation is improved, not worsened. Jerry raised
concerns over pedestrian access to Diamond school. Richard Canale replied that the
Planning Board will try to persuade the developer to consider traffic safety and the need
for sidewalks and good pedestrian access to Diamond School.
7. SWC newspaper articles.
Jerry proposed that we each select an article from the list and write it up ready for
September. We agreed that we should check with Judy Crocker what her publishing plan
is before sending in to the Minuteman.
8. List of Safety hot spots for pedestrians
Jerry proposed that we look at the list and trim down. Jeanne Krieger advised that we
keep our priority hotspots in place whether the project is being worked on or not. Funding
is very tight at present so very little can be done in the near future.
The Meeting was adjourned at 12.15 pm. There will be no meeting in August. The next
th
, September 14 2009 at 11 am
meeting will be on Monday in the Selectman’s Meeting
Room.
Minutes submitted by Lucy Fletcher-Jones