revised March 2009 Minutes

[Brad Parsons]

Minutes of Watertown Bicycle-Pedestrian Committee

Present: Fred Hewett, Peter Brooks, Mari Ryan, Steve Engler, Maria
Saiz, Brad Parsons


Item: Safe Routes to School

Mari discussed past month activities:
Town Wide Middle School safety meeting organized and facilitated by
Jeannette Belcher-Schepis
Four town councilors, three principles, two WBPC members, two
parents, one crossing guard, 1 school committee member,
and three guests attended
Meeting was poorly attended by parents in spite of two separate
notices, which were sent home as well as district wide connected
messages both before and after the school vacation

Disappointment was expressed that no representation from the police
department was present

Main topics were shoveling snow to clear sidewalks and traffic in
school zones

Walking Wednesdays to resume this Spring

May 6th is the Massachusetts Walk to School Day

Jeannette is in the process of working with the school department to
provide a link to CSRTS Traffic and Safety/ Walkability Survey in
order to get a better sense of where parents stand on issues due to
poor response with the survey via the PTO's.

* Item: Sidewalk Snow removal Ordinance

• Committee discussed letter to be submitted to the TAB voicing our
support of the ordinance
• Committee discussed the following concerns:
o Snow being plowed onto curb cuts makes it difficult for homeowners
to clear the cuts
o Issues surrounding enforcement and potential liability to homeowners
• Ideas for helping seniors connect with people to help with shoveling
included community service requirements for high school students and
postings at the senior center

* Item: Bicycle Friendly Community

• WBPC members designated to the areas of the application
o Engineering is Peter & Steve
o Encouragement is Sheila & Maria
o Enforcement is Brad
• Steve presented spreadsheet that he’s using for engineering and it
can applied to each area
• Steve to post spreadsheet on the google documents
• Brad to begin relationship with Watertown Police Department, to
discuss the Bill of Rights, etc.
• Group discussed hosting another ride this year, Maria will research
• Group discussed ideas for reaching out to the community via a bike
workshop format

* Item: Miscellaneous
• Fred to contact Town Manager regarding open position
• Mari presented proposed Massachusetts legislation that specifically
calls out funding for SRTS
• Mari to put letter together expressing support for the
Transportation Bill
• Members expressed need to invite Town Planner to a meeting so our
views can be voiced before projects are initiated.