HomeMy WebLinkAbout2010-05-03-WALKS-min
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LEXINGTON SIDEWALK COMMITTEE MINUTES
Monday, May 3, 2010
Attendees
: Jerry Van Hook, Francine Stieglitz, Meg Lotz, Judy Crocker,
Suzie Barry, Elaine Celi, Lucy Fletcher-Jones, Craig Weeks(Clarke
SR2S), Jonathan Wettstone (Clarke Middle School), David Callaghan
(Diamond Middle School), Dave Eagle (C&W Transportation), Pat
Goddard(Facility Maintenance Dept.), Dave Cannon( Engineering Dept),
John Davies, Jeanne Krieger
The meeting was called to order at 11:10 by Chair Jerry Van Hook
Improvements at Clarke MS
–Pat Goddard presented a schematic of a
proposal to improve safety and assure timely departure of school
buses, prepared by an engineering firm based upon discussions with the
school administration. The proposal uses the existing driveway plan,
allows for a slightly greater turning radius at the Stedman Rd.--
Brookside Ave. intersection by moving parking spaces toward the tennis
courts and includes a pathway from the foot bridge to Brookside Ave.
The intent of the pathway is to separate pedestrians from car and bus
traffic.
Several members spoke in favor of opening Stedman Rd, and allowing
buses to either enter or leave through Allen St. This would eliminate
buses circling through the parking area where many students meet their
parents in parked autos. It would also reduce congestion at the
Stedman/Brookside exit where buses must now compete for space with
entering and exiting autos and pedestrians
Dave Eagle will work with the Facilities Department to confirm that
the 35’ turning radius for buses afforded by the proposed plan is
adequate.
After much discussion, the Sidewalk Committee voted unanimously to
support the plan described by Pat Goddard with the understanding that
opening Stedman Rd. toward Allen St. would not be precluded.
Diamond Traffic Issues
Installation of the No Parking signs along the Diamond driveway has
improved pedestrian safety by discouraging cars from parking on the
sidewalk.
Four additional requests were proposed on behalf of SR2S:
1. Divide buses between Sedge Rd. entrance and Diamond Driveway.
School administration and CW Transportation will consider a trial
during last couple of weeks of school year.
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2. Paint crosswalks and ‘fog’ stripe along Diamond driveway to
better differentiate pedestrian pathways. Facilities Maintenance will
include this work in the summer maintenance program, if requested by
school personnel.
3. Widening the Diamond Driveway- This will require approval
from the Conservation Commission to extend asphalt surface adjacent to
wetlands.
4. Improve the turning radius exiting the Diamond parking lot to
the driveway. This too would require Conservation Commission approval.
Jerry Van Hook recommended construction of a temporary path to
facilitate student access to the school during construction of the
development. Several expressed concerns about spending funds on a
temporary measure that would subsequently be abandoned and replaced by
the path promised by the developer.
Bowman Neighborhood Sidewalks
The plans for the proposed sidewalk improvements, funded with federal
SRTS money through MassDOT, will be reviewed at two public meetings,
Tuesday May 4 and a formal public hearing Monday May 24 in the Bowman
cafeteria at 7 pm. It is important that strong support for the
project by voiced at the May 24 public hearing.
The project includes installation of about 5,000 ft. of sidewalk along
Lantern Lane, Dawes Rd., Buckman Drive and onto Locust Ave. as well as
installation of a pedestrian flasher unit at the Worthen Rd.
E--Pleasant St crosswalk and installation of a new crosswalk at the
Worthen Rd E--Phillip Rd intersection. Construction is planned for the
summer of 2011. As proposed, the plan includes 3 minor land takings.
If necessary these can be avoided by eliminating the grass strip in
the impacted locations. Three street trees are proposed for removal
and a tree hearing will be required.
SR2S
Diamond Middle School- Judy Crocker reported on kick-off activities
including good response to the questionnaire, agreement to tally
student participation in the classroom and upcoming programs on safety
and travel routes.
Neither Fiske nor Harrington participate in the SR2S program
New Business
–Judy Crocker reported that the bank proposed for
construction at the intersection of Lowell and Woburn streets will
have 3 drive-through lanes. The proposal will come before the Board of
Appeals (ZBA) Thursday, May 13. Those interested in assuring a more
pedestrian-friendly and bicycle-friendly development should voice
their concerns with the ZBA.
The April minutes were approved as corrected.
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The meeting adjourned at 12:45
Respectfully submitted
Jeanne Krieger