October meeting minutes

[Sheila Fay]

            Watertown Bi-Ped Committee

                             Monthly Meeting October 5, 2008

 

Minutes of Watertown Bicycle-Pedestrian Committee

 
Present:  Fred Hewett, Peter Brooks,Jeanette Mari Ryan, Janet Jameson, Sheila Fay, Maria Saiz, Steve Engler

 

 * Item: Safe Routes to School

·         Watertown SRS was on MSNBC Nightly News, short spot about SRS programs.

·         Principals of schools want some structure to know the program can keep going after 6 months.  Walk Boston is looking for funds to continue the coordinator position, trying to get funds from sponsors.  Therefore it is important for the Show of Hands at the end of October to show the program is going.  Grant ends now 12/08.

·         International Walk to School Day: Wed. 10/8.  Posters in school, around town, flyers, also in the Tab.  Kids will have signs to carry, Hosmer will have balloons it.

·         On Mt. Auburn St., doing more traffic enforcement, also new electronic speed signs.

·         Jeanette suggests doing a safety meeting for parents- community wise.  Look at doing it 11/19 at the HS or Middle School Auditorium.  Jeanette, Mari & Maria to create subgroup to plan.

·         Challenge in the schools, grades 3-5, track number of steps on chart.  The number of steps will be aggravated by class & grade, charted on map of MA.  Kids will try for Gold, Silver & Bronze.  Starts 10/15.

·         With K-2 kids want to get copies of Henry Hikes to Fitchburg for every classroom.

·         Safety training starts week of 10/15, different days at each school, run with volunteers.

 

* Item: Faire on the Square

·         Raffle:  Gross of $650, some as donations.  Lots of tickets left.  Bike cost $160.  Mari needs receipt from Fred for bike to reimburse him.

·         Drawing won by a grandparent in Watertown.

·         Money to be used with funds from Watertown Community Fund to buy pedometers for people who walk.

* Item:  School Committee Meeting

·         School wants bike racks, and committee voted to go ahead and see if can get some for the HS, middle school and others.  Currently have crummy racks.  We alerted them to the MAPC program and get them for free.  Bike Committee will recommend type and placement.

 

* Item: Miscellaneous

·         Mari suggests do a end of year presentation of our work to the Town Council

·         Steve mentioned thinking that Watertown could work towards becoming a Bicycle Friendly City.

-- 
Dept. of Civil Engineering
Building 1-353
77 Massachusetts Ave.
Cambridge MA 02139
617-452-2482