HomeMy WebLinkAbout2010-01-10-WALKS-min
Members present: Jerry van Hook, Lucy Fletcher-Jones, Francine Stieglitz, Judy
Crocker, Jeanne Krieger, Wayne Brooks, Elaine Celi
The meeting was called to order at 11:05 am.
The minutes of the December 2009 meeting were approved.
Wayne Brooks on Sidewalk issues.
A discussion was had concerning sidewalk obstructions
which constrict the width of a sidewalk such that the sidewalk plow can not pass. A 48inch
wide space is required for the plow. Obstructions include trees, poles, ledge, and driveway side
mounds of removed snow.
One example is the School St/Roosevelt Rd intersection where ledge behind a
telephone pole constricts the sidewalk width enough to interrupt the sidewalk plow. The
opening is less than three feet wide and thusly the plow does not fit. In the spring, Mr.
Brooks said that a cost could be determined which would be needed to rectify the spot.
It presently can only be manually shoveled.
Another sidewalk obstruction on Adams St, where the guardrail is located below the
East St intersection, was also mentioned as not plowable due to the width constriction
caused by the proximity of the guardrail and the location of two telephone poles. The
length is too long to be manually shovel and is on the service obstruction list.
Ms. Krieger suggested creating an adoptive obstruction program, whereby community
members take charge of such situations. She mentioned that the SWC should ask
LexCable to film DPW plowing our sidewalks and follow-up with a newspaper article
explaining the hazards and difficulties of sidewalk obstructions.
Mr. Brooks mentioned that the GIS and master list of sidewalks are being worked on by a
contractor and is managed by the Engineering Dept. Also, the Hancock St rotary near Diamond
Middle School needs an engineer to determine its reconfiguration.
SRTS
proudly announced that the committee has received written word that the Bowman
School will receive a grant worth $455,000 for infrastructure improvements! This is nearly
double the amount indicated earlier in the fall by MassDot. Improvements include the addition
of a passive pedestrian crossing signal and sidewalk connectivity at Phillip/Pleasant Sts and an
expansive length of sidewalk leading from Phillip though to Locust/Follen Rd. The first
meeting with MassDOT is scheduled for early Jan2010. SRTS also welcomed Clarke Middle
School as a MassDOT partner school, thanks to the efforts of Craig Weeks.
Maryann McCall-Taylor from the Planning Dept discussed the proposed Stedman Rd
improvements.
Located off of Clarke Middle School access road near the tennis courts,
construction of a new house on the existing gravel pedestrian path poses the question of how to
best create the transition between the road with the new driveway and the path. The lower part
of Stedmen from Brookside Ave to the new home will be paved for vehicle access, but above
this point there is a steep and eroded section of the existing path between the new driveway and
Farmcrest Ave. The contractor might be asked to help improve through drainage control and
other measures. Used by students and those using the playing fields, this path connects to
Marrett Rd.
Discussion also focused on the possibility of connectivity between Stedman Rd and Allen St
for the purpose of alleviating traffic congestion for the school. In particular, making this a
dedicated bus route would help with the school’s logjam at dismissal. Ms. McCall-Taylor
suggested asking LPS and its principal, for Planning Dept did not know why this connection
could not be made.
Elaine Celi of the LPS Transportation office discussed the Fairview St bus stop.
Working
on a suggestion from a parent and consulting with C & W buses, the bus stop for this location
will shift during the winter months only from Wood St across from Wildwood to the Wood
St/Fairview Ave intersection. This is in response to safety issues caused by the winter snow.
Regarding Town Meeting, Mr. Brooks reports that the SWC still has $200,000 assigned
to its budget.
A capital request from the Engineering Dept has requested funds for a feasibility
study of a sidewalk installation on Concord Ave. from Waltham to Spring St.
The Sidewalk meeting was adjoined at 12:35pm.
Respectively submitted,
Judy Crocker