HomeMy WebLinkAbout2011-08-01-WALKS-minSidewalk Committee
August 1, 2011
Selectmen's Meeting Room
Minutes
Members Present: John Davies, Bettina McGimsey, Jeanne Krieger, J, Francine Stieglitz, Jerry Van Hook
Members absent: Judy Crocker; Lucy Fletcher -Jones
Liaisons: Hank Manz (Selectmen), Wendy Manz (Planning)
Guests: Richard Canale, Two McGimsey's
The meeting was called to order by Chair Jerry Van Hook at 11 am
The minutes of the June meeting were approved by a unanimous vote.
Guideline and Request Forms for new sidewalk requests —The drafts prepared by Francine Stieglitz
were approved by a unanimous vote. Jerry will seek approval by the Selectmen at their Aug. 1 meeting.
Citizen Questions about Sidewalk guidelines
Erike Nesse at 40 Taft Ave. was concerned about the section of sidewalk in front of her home.
Marc Valenti said that he has added the sections needing repair to the Sidewalk Rehabilitation Contract
for FY2012
Tatiana Koretskaia at 34 Eldred St inquired about having a sidewalk installed on both sides of the
street. Currently a sidewalk runs from Bedford St. to Grove St. on one side only. During the construction
of the new Estabrook School, there will be heavy truck traffic on Eldred St. The resident will be advised
to initiate the Citizen Request process for a new sidewalk and concurrently submit a request to the
Traffic Safety Advisory Committee (TSAC).
Ellen Sklar asked if some of the sidewalk areas could be fixed in conjunction with the
construction project on Marrett Rd. from Waltham St to Mass Ave. – Mark Valenti reported at the June
meeting that sidewalk reconstruction and repair were not part of the state's road resurfacing project on
Marrett Rd.
Crosswalks on Marrett Rd. at Lincoln St. and School St. Rima Pande, a resident of Lincoln St,
west of Marrett Rd., would like a more direct way to cross Marrett Rd. than using the existing
crosswalks. The status of the proposed improvements at this intersection is unknown to Committee
members.
Dick Canale suggested we ask Robert Cohen, Assoc Director Planning MassDOT, to a meeting to
advise us of the state's policy regarding sidewalk and crosswalk improvements on roads maintained by
the state such as Marrett Rd.
Pleasant St Sidewalk –Wendy Pryce Lewis is going to help spearhead the movement to get
sidewalks on Pleasant St. Francine Stieglitz will email Stephanie Lukez, who had written about starting a
petition, and suggest that she contact Wendy Price Lewis and work together to bring forward a proposal
for sidewalks in the Bowman Park area.
Sidewalk projects in progress
Bowman School- complete with exception of signage and installation of signals at Pleasant St.
crosswalk
Pleasant St. — sidewalk installed near Luongo Farms Rd.
Estabrook Task Force
Bettina McGimsey reported two task force meetings have been held. At the second meeting,
the traffic consultant reported that there is significant back up on Grove Street during pick up.
McGimsey noted that this will likely need to be addressed before construction starts. Project design is
expected to be complete by mid January or early February 2012 Access issues will be decided during the
design phase of the project.
State regulations about motorized bikes -- Discussion postponed to a future meeting.
Old Business —Judy Crocker will attend a site visit with Facilities Maintenance and School Administration
personnel August 4 to review progress on access issues at the middles schools. The developer of
Lexington Gardens is required as a condition of his building permit to provide pedestrian access through
the property to Diamond School by August 2012.
Next Meeting: September 12, 2011, 11 am
The meeting was adjourned at 12.05 pm.