HomeMy WebLinkAbout2011-03-07-WALKS-min
Sidewalk Committee
March 7, 2011
Present:
Members: Jerry Van Hook, Francine Stieglitz, Lucy Fletcher-Jones, Bettina Mcgimsey, Judy Crocker,
Jeanne Krieger;
Liaisons: Elaine Celi (School Administration), Richard Canale (Planning Board)
Staff: Marc Valenti
The meeting was called to order at 11:04
The minutes of the February 7, 2011 meeting were accepted.
Sidewalk Related Public Meetings
Shade St. Neighborhood Traffic Calming Study, Monday, March 14, 7 pm Public Services Building, 201
Bedford St.
Center Streetscape Concept Plan Workshop, Tuesday, March 15, 7 pm Cary Hall Auditorium, 1605 Mass
Ave.
Resident Guidelines for Requesting New Sidewalk Installations
Edits were offered to Draft #2 to clarify that this is one of several ways sidewalk construction is
approved. Sidewalk installations adjacent to commercial areas and associated with developments follow
different processes.
The Guidelines subject to final revisions were adopted unanimously.
The edits will be circulated. The final draft will be reviewed by Marc Valenti and then presented to the
Selectmen for their adoption.
Sidewalk request for Peacock Farms neighborhood
Stephanie Lukez wrote to the Chair inquiring about sidewalk installation on
1)Pleasant St from Luongo Farm Rd toward Bowman and
2)Along Peacock Farm Rd from Watertown St. to Mason St at White Pine Lane.
3)As well as installation of a crosswalk at Pleasant and Mason St. to serve the bus
stops and the Moon Hill path to Bowman.
Item 1) the sidewalk along Pleasant St. is a condition of the sub-division approval and
the Planning Board will pursue completion. The crosswalk (Item 3) is needed, but will require a
traffic study to take into consideration the sight lines and traffic flow.
The committee recommends that Ms. Lukez contact Hilton Pryce who also is interested in
sidewalk installation in this area. A petition indicating broad neighborhood support should be
circulated, signatures collected and the process recommended in the recently adopted
guidelines followed. Since the Moon Hill Rd path connects both the Sutherland Rd and Peacock
Farm. neighborhoods to the Bowman School, these improvements would benefit a large
number of residents.
Website access to the SWC minutes and GIS data access
Lucy Fletcher-Jones reported that the minutes of the recent meetings are now accessible by following
the instructions below
1.
Input this URL: http://records.lexingtonma.gov/weblink8/browse.aspx?dbid=0
2. You will see a list of 6 folder icons. Select the one labeled Minutes - Reports - Committees
3. Find 'Sidewalk Committee-WALKS' and select that.
4. You will then find the minutes organized into 2 folders, ones for 2005-2010 and one for 2011 onwards.
Alternatively, you can go to the Town home page using this link: http://lexingtonma.gov/
1. Select 'Online Services', then 'Public Records portal'
2. Follow steps 2-4 above.
.
The Committee requested that the map showing plowed sidewalks be included on the website.
Marc Valenti is working with staff to ensure the GIS files are merged and will report on progress.
Safe Routes to School
Bowman School held their Spring kick-off at which walking routes were discussed and carpooling
encouraged.
Judy Crocker will be presenting at the State forum on Safe Routes to School.
Elaine Celi described the survey on school bus usage sponsored by Lexpress, the Sidewalk Committee and Safe
Routes to School and the Lexington Public Schools. 1000 replies were received within the first week, a high
response rate. Preliminary analysis of the comments indicates reasons for not using buses include the high price
and students staying for after-school activities. To be cost effective, increasing bus ridership at the High School
is of primary importance.
Fines for dumping snow
Marc Valenti suggested that more structure be added to Chapter 100.3B, the Town bylaw governing
snow removal, so that home owners could be fined for putting snow back on public ways that have been
cleared. Jeanne Krieger will talk to Norman Cohen to learn what options are available. Changes in the by-law will
likely require approval of Town Meeting.
Other Business
Article 42 of the Annual Town Warrant addresses acquiring a sidewalk easement leading to the Fiske
School over the Fiske Common condominium property. The SWC has gone on record in favor of this action, for it
would facilitate walking and bicycling to Fiske. The SWC should speak in favor of the Article at Town Meeting
The meeting was adjourned at 12:50
Respectfully submitted
Jeanne Krieger