HomeMy WebLinkAbout2011-12-05-WALKS-minI
Lexington Sidewalk Committee Meeting Minutes
Monday, December 5, 2011, 9 AM
Room G 15, Town Office Building
Present: Judy Crocker, John Davies, Lucy Fletcher- Jones, Bettina McGimsey, Francine
Stieglitz, Jerry Van Hook (Chair); Liaisons: Marc Valenti (DPW), Elaine Celli
(Transportation); Guests: Dave Cannon (DPW), John Livsey (DPW), Jill Hai (Winthrop
Street), Ronnie Skerker (Winthrop Street), Bonnie Brown (Estabrook neighborhood)
The meeting of the Sidewalk Committee (SWC) was called to order at 9:30 AM.
1. Discussion of the proposed Concord Ave sidewalk project: Prior to the convening of the
SWC, members of the SWC and the Bike Committee heard a presentation regarding
Concord Avenue. Three plans for a new sidewalk and bicycle accomodation were
presented. Two of the plans called for a sidewalk on either the north or the south side of
the road, as well as sharrows (a contraction of "share arrows"), symbols painted on the
roadway surface, indicating that motorists should expect bicyclists and should share the
roadway with them. The third plan called for a sidewalk on the south side of the road with
dedicated bike lanes.
2. Update on the proposed Winthrop Road sidewalk proposal : Jill Hai reported that, since
last meeting with the SWC, she and her committee have contacted all houses on Winthrop
Road except for two. As of December 5, 2011, two abutters oppose the sidewalk. In
addition to most of the abutters, many neighbors from the adjoining streets are interested in
the sidewalk. The next step will be for representatives from Winthrop Road to go before
the Board of Selectmen with their petition.
John Livsey noted that there will need to be a study to determine which side of the road the
sidewalk should go. To get the funding for this preliminary study, Ms. Hai will need to go
to the Town Manager, Carl Valenti, to request this funding. Once the preliminary study has
been done, an article for Town Meeting for a survey and conceptual design needs to be
developed which will be presented at Town Meeting in March of 2012.
Dave Cannon noted that the Winthrop Road sidewalk would be an ideal project to
piggyback on to the redo of Waltham Street. This comment led to a discussion of
crosswalks on Waltham Street. It was noted that a crosswalk on Waltham Street in the
vicinity of Winthrop Road is necessary regardless of what happens with a sidewalk on
Winthrop.
3. Mark Valenti noted that he and his crew have completed the sidewalk at 201 Bedford
Street and that they have also been working to alleviate trip hazards on the brick sidewalks
downtown. Francine Stieglitz observed that the disability commission is not pleased with
brick sidewalks. Judy Crocker noted that they are new bike racks downtown which were
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put in by public grounds. Lucy Fletcher -Jones commented that the Pleasant Street
pedestrian flasher was not working.
4. Safe Routes to School (SRTS) update: Judy Crocker reported that the November Turkey
Trot was quite successful. In January SRTS will roll out a slogan and art contest to try to
get more children to take the bus to school.
5. Ad hoc committee on school transportation: Judy Crocker reported that most members of
the committee have been identified and placed. The goal of the committee is to change
behavior in a timely manner. At issue is public safety.
6. Report on ad hoc Estabrook School Committee: Judy Crocker noted that the construction
access plan for Estabrook has been endorsed by the ad hoc Estabrook School Committee.
Vehicles will be using the main entrance off of Grove Street. Robinson road will serve as
an emergency access point only during construction. The committee is currently working
on post - construction access plans. Nothing has been decided as to whether free busing
will be provided to Estabrook students during the construction phase.
7. Vote on proposed Concord Avenue project: The SWC voted for the plan for a single
sidewalk on the south side of Concord Avenue with share rows for bicycles.
8. Transportation Governance ad hoc Committee: Jerry Van Hook asked the present
members of the SWC whether the committee had adequate representation from the Town
Administration. The SWC thought that the representation was fine.
9. The minutes of the November SWC meeting were approved.
The meeting was adjourned at 10:50 AM. The next meeting will be on January 9, 2011, in the
Selectmen's Meeting Room at 9 AM.
Respectfully submitted,
Bettina Mc Gims ey