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MEETING MINUTES
BOARD OF SELECTMEN
Monday, January 12, 2009
PRESENT: Sara A, Mattes (Chairman), Sarah Cannon Holden, Gary Taylor
STAFF: Timothy Higgins (Town Administrator), Debra Parkhurst (Administrative Assistant
Welcome & Introductions: The meeting opened at 7:30 PM. Ms. Mattes reviewed the agenda
Appointments: Roadway Design Committee:
Attendees: Jason Felsch, Beth Ries, Rick Wiggin, Buzz Constable, Ken Bassett
Ms. Mattes explained that the AD Hoc Traffic and Roadway Committee was formed to assist the Town as it moves forward with its roadway improvement project. The Committee was tasked with looking at the impacts of improved roads in light of increasing development on Routes 95/128 and to look for tools to mitigate these impacts while acknowledging Lincoln’s neighborhood interests and aesthetic. The original committee first met in October of 2007. The Chairman recognized the process and wanted to especially thank John Caswell who had to retire from the Committee.
Jason Felsch, AHTR Committee Chairman, discussed the committee’s partnership with DPW Director Chris Bibbo and John Vancor of CEI ( Comprehensive Environmental Inc.). He acknowledged the work of the members of the committee including Beth Ries, Rick Wiggin, Buzz Constable, Ken Bassett, and John Caswell. Mr. Felsch said the process began over seven months ago with a variety of efforts by the Committee, including review of traffic and accident data as well as past guidance documents from the Town. Mr. Felsch said the committee recommends a standing committee to go beyond the scope of the present committee. The roadway project is being split into two phases: the 2009 phase would include Sandy Pond, Baker Bridge, Trapelo, Route 126, and Bedford Road north of Route 2; the 2010 phase would
include route 117, Lincoln Road, and Bedford Road south of Route 2. The Committee reviewed a slate of design alternatives that would enhance both safety and aesthetics. They reviewed items that they could support and some they could not. They are in the process of finalizing and endorsing the draft design to be considered by the Board of Selectmen, so that CEI can begin preparing bid documents for summer construction. A preliminary memo dated December 18, 2008 has been prepared for the Selectmen and items will continue to be updated and reviewed. The Committee will continue to provide support to make sure that what happens in the field is congruent with the plans.
DPW Director Chris Bibbo called the project challenging and rewarding. He said the two elements include basic design and enhanced design. Basic Design Elements include maintaining total pavement width; improving drainage; restoring shoulders (sand clean up , erosion, some new curbing), restoring roadside features (stonewalls, guardrails, fencing), lane striping, and limited dead tree removal. Enhanced Design elements include gateway treatments, some intersection enhancements, crosswalks, speed humps, and other roadside features.
John Vancor of CEI, discussed the pavement rehabilitation. Engineering recommendations are based on testing and analysis taken from the summer of 2008. Two methods include (1) mill & overlay and (2) reclamation. Drainage will be improved where there are failed catch basins and blocked pipes. Locations for the work were identified by the DPW staff, the public and observations in the field and were aimed to address real deficiencies. In some cases, entire drainage systems will be replaced, in others, batch basins are blocked, and buried manholes will be located. Limited plans were available. Several culverts will be replaced. Roadway shoulders will be improved with sand clean up, erosion repair, and in some cases sloped granite
curbing and reconstruction of bituminous berms. For roadside restoration, stone walls will be repaired later in the project. Damaged guardrails will be replaced and coordinated between the Department of Public Works and the Public Safety Department Traffic calming uses the existing road width as well as engineering, education and enforcement. A pilot program for use of speed humps has been proposed. Fog lines will be added to emphasize the narrow road width and to provide some enhanced travel lanes for cyclists, and some turns will be tightened. Roadways will remain narrow and the use of walls, trees, paths and landscape features will preserve local character and maintain safe travel speed. Mr. Vancor also discussed various intersection treatments along Trapelo Road (at Lexington and Old Lexington Road), Baker Bridge Road (near the Carroll School and Lovelane), culvert treatments at Old Concord Road and at the Gas Station along Route
126. He discussed roadside treatments along Bedford Road (new berm from Morningside to Route 2A). Mr. Bibbo is investigating who is responsible for the Bedford Road for the last few hundred feet as it approaches 2A (a State Highway). A traffic island has been requested for Bedford Road in the vicinity of Morningside and is still being studied. The mean speed along Bedford Road is below the posted speed and a traffic island may not be warranted, and could pose a hazard to public safety. Mr. Felsch said that the town is close to its decision point and will go out to bid soon. Discussion turned to the speed humps and cross walks. Each location had a site review. In the Historic District, granite will be added to the traditional crosswalk markings to alert people to the fact that one is entering the Historic District. Discussion turned to speeds along Lincoln and Bedford Road and effective methods for slowing traffic. Stone
walls and fences in the program are in the Right of Way. Mr. Vancor projected that the costs for this phase of the roadway project is 3.6 million dollars.
The Board will vote on the project on January 26. The Board has requested a guidance sheet of general principles, and a decision matrix in Excel format that would also include a rationale for placement of crosswalks and traffic details related to speed and traffic accidents. Mr. Felsch said that each proposed location had site review to determine the location and type of speed hump or crosswalk. He noted that the granite treatment in the Historic District is an aesthetic detail that would be consistent with existing features and would help delineate the district. Discussion followed on the use of electronic speed sign boards, which was found to be effective in certain locations. Speed humps and bumps are also somewhat effective.
The Board asked about other aspects of the project including stone walls and fences. DPW Director Chris Bibbo said the right of way varies, and treatment will depend on whether the features are within the right of way. Mr. Vancor said that savings have been found in some areas, such as drainage, but will increase in other areas. The 3.6 million dollars set aside for Phase 1 does not include the proposed island on Bedford Road, he added. The Chairman asked for a cover sheet of guidance or general principles that would include a rationale for cross walks, including speed and accident information, as well as discussion on landscape designs. Buzz Constable said the committee looked at a potential 30 areas for speed humps and cross walks, but only came up with a few
locations. He said that the proposed new roads will produce smoother driver friendly conditions. The Committee has asked the engineers to look at the designs for Bedford Road, but they are concerned that this particularly significant traffic calming device has not been fully looked at. Mr. Vancor said that there are engineering ramifications to this design that would make it difficult for him to approve it. The island would necessitate widening the road, which is counter to stated general principles, and it is difficult to anticipate how drivers will react. Mr. Vancor did not believe the change was justified. Mr. Bassett asked how they could encourage people to slow down, but not have an unexpected hazard. Mr. Constable asked if he has additional suggestions for modifying driver behavior on Bedford Road. Mr. Vancor said they will take another look at the suggestion this week. Mr. Taylor asked why Baker Bridge Road,
which is narrow and winding, was not due to have a center stripe. Mr. Felsch said striping would be reconsidered. The Board will vote on the recommendations on January 26.
BUDGET DISCUSSION:
Mr. Higgins said that he had asked the Board to come up with their preferences for extra budget consideration in the event that there are additional funds available. He said that based on the forecast and other factors, this is not a year for overrides, but FINCOM said they may be able to increase the base by $70,000 (on all sides: school, library, town). The School is not pursuing preferred budget priorities. The Library only needs $4,000 to keep its Sunday hours. Other additional expenditures include funding for police and fire training and additional administrative staff in the Town Offices. The Board reviewed the “Preferred Budget.” There is a second budget meeting at the Hartwell Building tomorrow night (January 13, 2009) at
7:30 PM.
NURSE DISCUSSION:
The Board discussed the situation. This idea was presented to the FINCOM. Even if the Town Nurse Task Force was to get a grant for one year, it might not be continued through the regular budget process at this time. The Board did not want to create a service that could not be sustained and would like to defer this pursuit into the future when there might be an improved economy. Mr. Higgins said the Task Force would like to present their Report to Town meeting.
The Meeting adjourned at 10:20. Submitted by Debra Parkhurst
Approved September 14, 2009
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