HomeMy WebLinkAbout2011-10-03-WALKS-minLexington Sidewalk Committee Meeting Minutes
Monday October 3, 2011 at gam
Present: Jerry Van Hook (Chair), Judy Crocker, John Davies, Lucy Fletcher- Jones,
Hank Manz, Bettina Mcgimsey, Francine Stieglitz
Liaisons: Elaine Celi (LPS Transportation), Marc Valenti (DPW)
Guests: Jill Hai
1. The September meeting minutes were approved.
2. Proposals for New Town Sidewalks
a) Jill Hai from Winthrop Rd presented an updated community petition with over 70
signatures for the installation of new sidewalks along Winthrop Rd and a missing
sidewalk gap at Winthrop /Highland Ave. A crosswalk will also be necessary for
Waltham /Winthrop St intersection. Originally presented nearly one year ago, this
petition has additional signatures and all abutters have now been contacted from
this community group. According to Ms. Hai, only two abutters voiced opposition to
the plan. A copy of this amended petition was given to the Committee.
The Committee reiterated that it does not choose a side of a road for sidewalk
installation. Engineering determines this recommendation based on the location of
the right -of -way, safety issues, and the location of Vine Brook along with
Conservation. Engineering did conduct a walk - through of the area with Ms. Hai but
now needs funding to perform an Engineering Report.
Other pertinent connectivity points that would benefit from this new sidewalk
include the Farmer's Market (Mass Ave /Winthrop), LHS and its playing fields
(Waltham /Winthrop ST), and the Percy Rd resident facility (Highland /Mass Ave).
The Committee advised Ms. Hai to ask to make a presentation to the Selectmen, after
which Engineering can meet with the Sidewalk Committee.
b) Ms. Stieglitz received an email expressing concern of the sidewalk at the
intersection of John Benson Rd and Winter St. Mr. Valenti will investigate.
3. The Safe Routes To School(SRTS) update included:
a) SRTS will be working with Dave Pinsoneault from DPW on securing a MAPU grant
for bike racks.
b) October 11 at 9:30am will be the Ribbon Cutting Ceremony celebrating the
completion of the Bowman SRTS- MassDOT infrastructure grant. All are welcome!
c) The Estabrook Tsk Force heard a report from Beta Consultants regarding the
length of proposed parent vehicle queue space necessary based on Estabrook School
car counts. This was compared to schools in the surrounding area.
d) SRTS has new or re- established PTA Committees at Fiske, Estabrook, and
possibly Harrington and Clarke, in addition to Bowman, Bridge, and Hastings. The
theme will be the Year of the School Bus, where in January the program will hold a
slogan and art contest emphasizing safety and how it is cool to take the bus. The
MassRides state rep attended our first SRTS -PTA rep meeting.
e) From the School Transportation Report 2011, the thought of forming a
community -based committee to oversee and advise on the report's proposed action
items will be asked of the School Committee and Selectmen. SRTS feels that the
proactive suggestions should be more bi- partisan than emitting from only one
committee.
f) The League of Women Voter's Community Forum was very successful and a
number of school and town -based transportation issues were tabled.
g) Met with Lt Mazerall from the LPD regarding traffic calming measures, school
zone signage, and moving violators in and around the schools. SRTS will take an
inventory of the town's school zone signage.
h) SRTS met with members of the Harrington school community who had concerns
about pedestrian safety on the Lowell St crosswalk near the school entrance. The
proper process and a synopsis of town departments /committees were explained.
The group seeks to move the present crosswalk to its previous location near
Peartree Dr. The group has a petition with which it can submit to TSAC with its
application.
i) International Walk Day on October Sth kicks off this year's SRTS Walking
Wednesday program.
j) The problems with Diamond persist in that the promised extension of the
dedicated bus lane fence at the front entrance has yet to materialize. After Elaine
Celi and Judy Crocker were assured on August 4 by Pat Goddard, Sergio
DeMangoand Jonathon Wettstone that the fence would be installed, it appears that
the Diamond administration has changed its mind and prefers not to install the
fencing. Unfortunately, this change of opinion was not communicated to the SWC or
LPS Transportation until the SWC took the time to investigate the projects' lack of
progress.
4. Update on the Center Streetscape Planning
Mr. Van Hook reported that he attended the Selectmen's meeting where the primary
objection to the plan involved the proposed median strip. It would serve to increase
the safety for pedestrians and it is felt that it is necessary to define the way in cars
merge on the roadway. The visibility of the median strip and choice of materials will
be discussed by the Disability Commission and Bicycle Committee.
The installation of electric car stations along Mass Ave was also mentioned as a
pedestrian hazard for, unlike conventional vehicles, these cars are quiet so it is more
difficult for a pedestrian to know one is approaching unless one sees it.
S. Transportation Governance Committee being Established
The streamlining of the town's 17 committees and departments that deal with
transportation issues is being undertaken. The SWC is asked to name one liaison.
Mr. Van Hook volunteered with Ms. Stieglitz being his alternate.
6. Update from DPW
Mr. Valenti reported that a section of sidewalks on Bedford St would not be rebuilt
until next year, due to future water main installation. The section of roadway
includes includes Revere St to the bikepath.
Conversations were also held with Karen Simmons (Recreation) and Karen Mullins
(Conservation) regarding the walkway from Middleby Rd to Lincoln St. There exists
an order of conditions for Conservation to perform the necessary prep work before
work can be initiated. It is planned to reconstruct approximately 600ft of the path
going uphill towards Lincoln St. in October. Due to the expanse and expense of the
pathway's repair, the path will have to fixed in phases.
7. Discussion of New Meeting Time and Membership
It was agreed to maintain the new meeting time of gam versus 11am in the hopes of
making the time slot more attractive for prospective new members.
The next meeting will be on November 7, 2011 at gam in the Ellen Stone Room,
located on the first floor of the Cary Memorial Building.
Respectfully submitted,
Judy Crocker