HomeMy WebLinkAbout2012-02-06-WALKS-minLexington Sidewalk Committee Meeting Minutes
Monday, February 6, 2012, 9 AM
Room G 15, Town Office Building
Present: Judy Crocker, Lucy Fletcher- Jones, Bettina McGimsey, Francine Stieglitz, Jerry Van
Hook (Chair); Liaisons: Elaine Cell (Transportation), Hank Manz (Board of Selectmen),
Wendy Manz (Planning Board), Marc Valenti (DPW)
The meeting of the Sidewalk Committee (SWC) was called to order at 9:08 AM.
1. Review of SWC position concerning Center Streetscape plan in light of LBAC's position:
Jerry Van Hook asked that the SWC consider whether or not there should be a traffic study
of the Town Center before it is determined whether there should one or two lanes of traffic
in either direction. He noted that earlier the SWC had agreed that members liked the
Center Streetscape plan but that they had never had a vote as to whether such a study was
needed. In light of the LBAC's vote to ask for such a study, he asked members to consider
their position on such a study. No second to his motion was made, so no vote was taken.
2. Mr. Van Hook raised the issue of MBTA proposed cuts to bus routes that serve Lexington.
He presented a letter to Jon Davis of the MBTA opposing said route eliminations as well as
the MBTA subsidy for Lexington's Lexpress minibus service. This letter was approved by
the SWC.
3. The January minutes were approved as amended.
4. Update on Safe Routes program: Judy Crocker noted that the art and slogan contest to
promote bus ridership will be rolled out this week with an article in the Minuteman.
5. Update on the Estabrook School Transportation task force: Ms. Crocker noted that the
DPW, the Police Department, and the Fire Department are making public safety
recommendations for a sidewalk on Robinson Road from its intersection with Turning Mill
Road to its end at the edge of the Estabrook School property. Hank Manz noted that the
Board of Selectmen find it a priority to include a sidewalk on Robinson Road as well.
6. Update on the Lexington School Transportation and Safety study group: Ms. Crocker
noted that the school bus contract request has just been sent out for bid. The study group
will also do a survey of parents to determine their reactions to adjusted service parameters.
She noted that the study group had discussed the importance of improving "school zone"
signage. Marc Valenti noted that sign placement follows codes from the Manual on
Uniform Traffic Control Devices. He also noted that DPW will do a sign inventory in the
near future and that the department has been upgrading signs around town, including the
pedestrian crosswalk signs.
7. Correspondence log on sidewalk issues: There has been no correspondence this month.
8. Progress on Winthrop Road proposed sidewalk project: Francine Stieglitz will contact Jill
Hai to determine where the Winthrop project is in the process in terms of meeting with the
Board of Selectmen and abutters.
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9. Public meeting on Concord Ave sidewalk project on Feb 9 at 7 PMat Brookhaven: Jerry
Van Hook noted that said meeting will take place, and that he and probably Peggy Enders,
the LBAC chair, would attend in support of the proposed new sidewalk plan.
10. Other business: Jerry Van Hook raised the need to increase the number of SWC members.
Currently there are six members regularly attending meetings. This is just barely over the
quorum of five members needed to conduct any business or take votes, as the committee is
supposed to have nine members each with a three -year term. Various members noted that
they would contact potential nominees for membership.
The meeting was adjourned at 10: 14 AM. The next meeting will take place at 9 AM on March
5, 2012, in the Selectmen's Meeting Room at 9 AM.
Respectfully submitted,
Bettina Mc Gims ey