MINUTES OF ‘MASTER PLANNING TOWN CENTER GROUP’
OCTOBER 27, 2004
ATTENDEES:
Sara Mattes Barbara Myles
David O’Neil Mark Whitehead
Ken Hurd Timothy Higgins
Katy Walker Kevin Mooney
Jack Pugh Arthur Cotoni
Colin Smith Jeff Eaton
Diana Abrashkin
Sara Mattes convened the meeting of the master planning group at 8:05 a.m. Things surrounding solving safety and parking at the library have stalled. Perhaps the group can come up with a way to identify additional parking spaces within a block or two of the library? David O’Neill advised the group that the First Parish Church has authorized an engineering drawing for a parking plan, but it must be reviewed with the neighbors first. The plan would be to begin construction in the spring and would increase the parking hopefully to the low 40’s. The parish committee supports the plan. This is a serious cooperative effort on behalf of First Parish Church to provide parking. Once the plan is reviewed by neighbors, the bid will be done in winter and construction planned for the spring.
Ms. Mattes inquired about public safety issues. Ken Hurd pointed out that Library Lane has been cut back to provide another parking space and additional parking has been added in front of the library along Bedford Road. A cross walk will be placed and angled where the existing curb cut is.
Ms. Mattes pointed out that what was adopted Town Meeting had no specificity. The lighting needs can be determined by the group; the cross walk needs to be adjusted. Mr. Smith advised Mr. Higgins that the second reflector needs to be adjusted since it is shining the wrong way.
Ms. Mattes asked Public Safety to weigh in. Chief Mooney said on the whole things are working well, however the SUV signs do not seem to be doing the job and suggests that a change is needed, possible a modification to the signs. Plowing last winter was much easier; the angled parking has worked better for drivers although Barbara Myles did report there had been some minor incidents. Chief Mooney attributes those incidents to people who are in a rush—he suggests making smaller lines (parking spaces). He suggests before changing anything or doing anything new we need to start with notification and then after that enforcement. Ms. Mattes had mentioned the problem at a recent Selectmen’s meeting stating that the Board would ask the police department to start ticketing drivers who park in the wrong
spaces.
Jack Pugh said the Trustees would urge to have the striping done with the hope of gaining more parking spaces. Mr. Higgins questioned whether the markovers made by striping out would be aesthetically acceptable in the historic town center.
The group has come to a consensus on the issue of the SUV’s, that the No Parking SUV signs will be removed and individual signs will be placed on individual spaces that say Compact Cars Only. Also, it is requested that the Library post a notice on their doors that within two weeks the police will begin ticketing for noncompliance. In addition, Ms. Mattes invited that Barbara Myles come to the November 15th Selectmen’s meeting for a discussion about the change and that notice be put in the paper. Also, by the time the Selectmen meet on November 15th, Kevin Mooney, Mark Whitehead, and Ken Hurd will have met to discuss and come up with a plan as to how to change the striping. Presently there are 8 spaces on Bedford Road, and 22 on Library Lane. Restriping could
gain an additional 1-to-3 more.
TOWN CENTER PLANNING GROUP
OCTOBER 27, 2004 -2-
Mr. Hurd was asked how the ‘cut in’ has worked? He replied it seems to be working good. The reason for making the radius tighter is people park where it is marked not to park and this change allows it to be done safely.
The issue of staff parking has been brought forward—Ms. Mattes feels very strongly that is unfair to ask employees to park somewhere else, even if there were a place for them to do so, however it was agreed that day time staff would be encouraged to use the spaces on Bedford Road. Ms. Mattes asked that First Parish direct people attending functions at the church NOT to park on Library Lane. Mr. O’Neill agreed, saying they are trying to get the word out.
Ms. Mattes asked Mr. Pugh for a status on the reconstruction of the handicap parking space—the library is still working on that.
Ms. Mattes then turned the focus of the meeting to the crosswalks. Currently two exist, the one at the top of Library Lane and the one in front of Bemis Hall. Now that Bemis Hall is open again there is a very valid safety concern and Ms. Mattes is adamant that warning signs be put up at the crossing. Without proper signage we are not going to paint the crosswalk. Mr. Smith asked what is preventing NSTAR from installing the lights at the top of Library Lane? Mr. Higgins will pursue having two admiral hat/lights being placed at either end of the Bedford road parking in front of the library.
Mr. Hurd and Mr. Smith will pursue putting up ‘Entering Lincoln’ signs similar to the one on the Waltham causeway at the other entrances to town.
Action Items :
Barbara Myles will meet with Selectmen on November 15th to discuss striping.
Mr. Higgins will have VHB come and look at the cross walk.
Mr. Hurd and Mr. Smith will pursue ‘entering Historic Center’ signs
Group will reconvene in spring and at that time may also invite Pierce House and Old Town Hall Exchange to attend.
The meeting was adjourned at 9:30 a.m.
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