2014-07-10-AC-min - Laserfiche WebLink

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7/10/14Minutes The balance of $352,717 from theincrease in FY2015 state aid, which exceeded the estimateused in setting the FY2015 budget at the Annual Town Meeting by approximately $890,000. FY15 Reserve Fund Transfer Request: 4.Mr. Valente asked thecommittee to consider a FY15 Reserve Fund transfer to support the Hartwell Avenue/Alewife Station shuttle service, which has recently experienced a significant cut in federal funding. The non-profit 128 Business Council, a local Transportation Management Association, operates the service and guarantees a taxi ride home, if necessary. Passengers from contributing properties pay $1.00 each way; others pay $3.00.Town support of thisservice is part of the Town’s effort to promote business activity on Hartwell Avenueand minimize single car trips.The Council reports that ridership has been exceptionally good for a new service. The program’s grosscostsare$172,000 annually. The Town received afederal grant covering 80% of the costs topilot this service from August 31, 2013 to August 30, 2015. During the first year, four of the seven property ownerson Hartwell Avenue providedmost of the remaining 20% and the Town contributed $3,500. The Town recently learned that the federal grant isbeing terminated as of August 30, 2014, primarilybecause of the federalsequester. The Town is asking the Hartwell Avenue property owners to assume 60% of the next year’s costs with the understanding that the Town will assume 40%, i.e. $69,120. The Town has received a verbal commitment from two of theparticipating property ownersand a written commitment from the other two. One possible source of the Town’s contribution would be the Transportation Demand Management (TDM)Stabilization Fund. Both the BoS and the Transportation Advisory Committee (TAC) supported the use of those funds for this purpose, although TAC asked that this be a one-year-only request. However, becauseTDMfunds are not available withoutTown Meetingapproval,and Mr. Valente needs assurance of available funds by early August, he did not pursue this option. Discussion focused on the value of having this service, the desire for the Hartwell Avenue property owners to contribute as much as possible, and support for having the bus provide service to Lexington residents. Mr. Valente said that the 128 Business Council has been asked to include a Lexington stop during its reverse commute. It was generally agreed that an immediate vote to release the funds would beprematureas awritten commitment has not yet been received from all participating Hartwell Avenue property owners.A motion was made and seconded to indicate the Committee’s willingness to support the 40% funding from the Reserve Fund when the need arises. The motion passed. VOTE: 8-0 Minutes: 5.A motion was madeand seconded to approve the Committee’s minutes for February 26, 2014, March 19, 2014, April 6, 2014, and May 7, 2014.The motion passed. VOTE: 6-0-2. Future Meetings: 6.It is unlikely that there will be an August meeting. Mr. Parker will distribute a Doodle poll for an early September meeting; election of officers will be included on that 3