[MassHistPres] Sidewalk Materials

[Anne Laurin Eccles]

Hello,

Lexington has been working towards a complete renewal of its Center in the
Battle Green District and sidewalk materials, anticipating new rule-making
on smoothness in ADA, became an issue.  The current material is running
bond brick and the proposed is smoother wire-cut brick in a 90°
herringbone.  PathVu, used to set the new smoothness standards, has found
this material smoother than concrete.  Our Town Meeting just approved this
choice with 76% approval.

During the discourse, an opponent of the new brick referred to lawsuits
experienced by Belmont and 'a few other towns', over sidewalk materials.
We are trying to fact-check this statement.  We have consulted with the
Belmont Assistant Town Engineer, who said they had no lawsuits whatsoever
over sidewalks or surface materials.

Please let us know if you have had any lawsuits over sidewalk materials, in
particular concerning smoothness for wheelchair use.

Best,

Anne Laurin Eccles
*Chair, Lexington Historic Districts Commission*
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