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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2010-10-04-WALKS-min Lexington Sidewalk Committee Minutes Monday, October 4, 2010 Attendees: Jerry Van Hook (chair), Wayne Brooks (DPW), Elaine Celli (LPS Transportation), Judy Crocker, John Davies, Lucy Fletcher-Jones, Jeanne Krieger, Francine Stieglitz, Marc Valenti (DPW) Guests: Sergio Dermango (Engineering), Pat Goddard (Facilities), Bettina McGimsey, Wendy Price-Lewis The meeting was called to order at 11:05 by Chair Jerry Van Hook The September 13, 2010 minutes were accepted. Transportation Improvements at Clarke Middle School Using a large overlaid map, Pat Goddard and Sergio Dermango reviewed the results of their August meeting with the Conservation Commission regarding improving school bus turning radius and creating better pedestrian access away from vehicular traffic at Clarke. With the aid of Dave Eagle of C & W Buses, suggestions include relocating the curb line away from the wetlands on Stedman Rd and slight expansion towards the tennis courts and along the school-side of the center, brook-side parking lot. Pedestrian improvements include constructing a pervious path from the tennis court area along Stedman and then paralleling the brook. The path will end near the present footbridge, which shall have improved grading according to ADA and Disability Commission standards. The Clarke Improvement Plan will be introduced into the Capital Plan for 2011. It has been reviewed by Engineering and priced at $110,000-$120,000. If approved by Town meeting, the project will take place in the summer of 2011. Transportation Improvements at Diamond Middle School The topic of sidewalk connectivity at Diamond involving the right side of the end of the access road with the newly constructed pathway from the Lexington Gardens property as well as the possible expansion of the bus lane area sidewalk between the existing sidewalk and the conservation path were discussed. Pat Goddard reported that the former issue was slated for 2012 and that he had not received recent communication with Diamond regarding the latter issue. Elaine Celi said that C & W Buses would like to have 3 buses use the Sedge Rd entrance but that the school felt it did not presently have the manpower to supervise school bus activity at both entrances. Judy Crocker offered to contact Mr. Gallagher at Diamond. Mr. Goddard offered an update to the pedestrian path at Fiske. The money for improvements is being held from the original school construction. However, an easement is needed from a private abutter in order to properly complete the steps near the bottom of the steeped path. That abutter is currently selling the home, so negotiations are on hold until the new owner can be approached. The Disabilities Commission would also like to have signage on both entrances to the path indicating its steep grade. Citizen Petitions for New Sidewalks Wayne Brooks and Mark Valenti introduced two draft documents whose purpose is to better explain to the citizenry the involved and lengthy process required for requesting the construction of new sidewalks. Emphasized was the need for public support, a petition in order to support a feasibility study, public meetings, and funding restrictions. They request that the Committee forward their comments to them. Jeanne Krieger explained the high costs of major projects (millions of dollars) will likely entail a debt exclusion to raise the needed funding versus betterments. Wendy Price-Lewis spoke on behalf of the Pleasant St/Watertown St area. She listed the narrow roads, excess vehicular speed, location of snow banks makes for poor winter walking, problems for users of the #76 MBTA bus stop, and line of sight issues due to horizontal and vertical grades. She has visited the Lexington Police Dept who responded by temporarily erecting its flashing speed limit sign. The Committee discussed how connectivity of Bowman area with the bus stop on Watertown St and also along Pleasant St to Wilson’s Farm would be ideal. Also, having sidewalks on both sides of Pleasant St would alleviate the line of sight issues with crosswalks. The Committee mentioned that this area and its multitude of issues are well-known and have been discussed at length, but without significant funding the town does not have the resources to undertake such improvements. Bettina McGimsey and fellow residents are working on a petition for the creation of a new sidewalk on Hill St. Update on Safe Routes To School th International Walk Day is October 6 and the event will be the kick-off for the Lexington SRTS program. The SRTS Bookmarks have been distributed in all of the elementary schools. The SRTS school representatives met in September in order to lay the groundwork for the year. We welcomed new chairs for the Bridge and Hastings programs. Estabrook is currently without a Committee Chair and is recruiting. Hastings will host Children’s Hospital’s Helmet Safety at its all-school assembly on October 15. Involvement in Lexington’s 300 Celebration was enthusiastically discussed. Membership Bettina McGimsey from Hastings has accepted a position on the Committee. Judy Crocker pitched SWC membership at the SRTS rep meeting and will do the same at the PTA President’s meeting on Nov 3. Master List for Sidewalk Repairs and for New Sidewalks The question of whether modifying the Master List by creating a new column for new versus repaired sidewalk surfaces was discussed. The Committee voted to leave the Master List format as is. Wayne Brooks added that the list can be expanded to include school district, replacement, repaired or new using the new GIS system. The GIS list is also close to completion. It will list all streets with sidewalks and those streets with anticipated sidewalks. Other Business The July Massachusetts state ruling that property owners are now liable for snow- related injuries, whether due to nature or snowplows, was raised. The use of reasonable care was indicated and this new law puts Massachusetts in line with other states. Wayne Brooks reported that Town Counsel is presently reviewing the recent ruling. The meeting was adjourned at 12:45. The next meeting will be on November 1, 2010. Respectfully submitted, Judy Crocker