HomeMy WebLinkAbout2009-10-05-WALKS-minLexington Sidewalk Committee Meeting
Minutes of Oct 5, 2009, 11:00 am, Selectman's Board Room
Members Present: Jerry Van Hook (chair), John Davies, Judy Crocker, Lucy Fletcher-
Jones, Suzie Barry, Margaret Lotz, (secretary)
Liaisons Present: Elaine Celi (Transportation), Jeanne Krieger (Board of Selectman),
Wayne Brooks (DPW) Officer Sargant (TSAC and Lexington Police Department Officer
Mazerall (Lexington Police Department)
Visitors: Kathy Hildenbrand
Agenda topics:
1) The September minutes were approved.
2) Discussion of a proposed sidewalk along the south side of Concord Ave from
Waltham St to Spring St.
Kathy Hildenbrand said that the 5 Fields neighborhood was preparing a presentation of
their proposal for the town to build a sidewalk on Concord Ave. She informed us that the
traffic increase was alarming and that neighbors who previously walked along Concord
Ave are now too afraid of the rushing and dangerous traffic. Kathy attributes this increase
to the new or expanding businesses in the area including Cubist, Shire, those in the
Ledgemont Center as well as the Post Office facility on the end of Spring St. She has
attended the Cubist and Shire expansion meetings in an effort to learn what their plans
are. Jeanne recommended that the town engineer look at the street. Even if businesses
indicate a willingness to contribute to a sidewalk, there could be engineering difficulties,
such as the right of way problem near Avalon 2.
3) Riding bicycles on sidewalks in Lexington outside the town center.
Jerry said that Francine received an email questioning whether bicyclists should be
allowed to ride on the sidewalks. Jerry said that bike riding on sidewalks in the town
center is definitely not allowed, and concluded that it probably is not allowed in the rest
of the town. John asked whether that wasn't established law. Jeanne said people need to
use common sense and that children should be on sidewalks. Suzie reported that at
Estabrook, it was common practice for bikers and pedestrians to share the sidewalk, but
that bikers should have bells or give warning of their approach. We agreed that although
pedestrians have the right of way, the sidewalks can be shared if everyone uses common
sense and courtesy.
4) Jerry asked whether the Sidewalk Committee should become involved in non-sidewalk
issues, especially those related to crosswalks such as the flag carrying project of East
Lexington's Safe Mass Avenue Committee or the Hancock St. Rotary near Diamond
Middle School. Jerry wondered if the Sidewalk Committee should be promoting the use
of flags in other parts of town. Both Officer Mazerall and Jeanne stressed that the East
Lexington flag project was in its earliest stages and that the sidewalk committee should
wait until its effectiveness is known before advocating the use of flag carrying at
crosswalks. Officer Sargant added that the flashing green light on East Mass Ave will be
changed to flashing yellow, meaning drivers slow down. (Flashing green means that the
light is pedestrian activated!)
Lucy noted that crosswalks are a SR2S issues and that help in crossing East Mass Avenue
was a priority of Bowman School SR2S. Because SR2S representatives from all over
town attend the Sidewalk Committee, crosswalks, in Judy's opinion, are in the
provenance of the sidewalk committee. Judy added that the SR2S safety kits are in and
that these should help to standardize the SR2S approach to crossing at crosswalks. One
important point is that crosswalks are not protected by force fields and that the pedestrian
needs to cross with care. Officer Sargant added that pedestrians need to make eye contact
with the drivers before crossing roads and crosswalks should be used where available as
these have been determined by the police to be the area with the best sightlines. Jeanne
added that since crosswalks are extensions of sidewalks, that the Sidewalk Committee
should play a role in teaching how to use them safely.
The Hancock St. Rotary was also discussed. Meg raised the point that it is unusual for a
rotary to be transected by crosswalks, since traffic circles are usually installed to aid
traffic flow, not slow it. Jerry received an email from Peggy Enders in regards to a
proposed sidewalk on Hancock St to be located along the length of the new development
on the old Lexington Garden property. The bike committee asked that the crosswalk on
Hancock St. be installed at the end of the new sidewalk farthest from the school entry.
Officers Sargant and Mazerall replied that the site would have to be analyzed according
to a formula that determines if there are proper sightlines and stopping distance for cars.
The Sidewalk Committee once again expressed their wish that a professional opinion
could be given as to how to reroute cross walks in the area. Jeanne replied that the town
has no money to re-engineer the circle, nor does the developer have any obligation to do
so. Wayne suggested that the Sidewalk Committee send a letter to John Livsey requesting
a plan to improve the intersection
Jeanne mentioned that the town periodically sets aside funds for traffic management
studies and improvements, and that the way to approach improving pedestrian safety
would be for the SWC to submit a list of its top 5-10 most dangerous
intersections/roads/crosswalks to the BOS. The SWC list should include overall traffic
issues as well as sidewalks, as these issues overlap. Jeanne stressed that the SWC, not
TSAC or engineers, needs to identify and advocate the areas that it collectively feels pose
threats to walkers.
5) Safe Routes to School (SR2S)
Judy has received the public safety sheet from Sergeant Chris Barry and she would like to
alter it a bit before she sends them out. She has also received pedestrian safety kits for the
elementary schools from Mass Rides. Superintendent Ash approved the new SR2S
bookmarks, which have all the walk days for the school year printed on them. The
principal at Bowman would not allow them to be given out until the disclaimer was
added that the walks were PTA-sponsored events.
Meeting Adjourned
Minutes submitted by Margaret Lotz