HomeMy WebLinkAbout2021-11-30-TAC-min RECEIVED
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Minutes TAC November 30, 2021
I OWN CLERK
Meeting Held on Zoom
LEXINGTON
Members Present: Vinita Verma, Chair; Pam Lyons, Co-Chair; Sara Arnold; Andra Bennett; Sally
Castleman; Elaine Dratch; Pam Lyons
Others Present: Sudhir Jain, COA liaison;Joe Pato, Select Board (SB) Liaison (arrived late because of a
conflict with another meeting); Susan Barrett,Transportation Manager;John Hilton, Resident
Absent: Shefali Verma, Student representative, Melanie Thompson, Planning Board liaison
Meeting was called to order at 7:05 p.m.
October minutes were approved. VOTE: 7-0
Update on COA Van: Ms. Dratch had written up considerations regarding costs for operating a separate
COA vehicle for Ms. Barrett to use during an upcoming meeting with the Town Manager and Mr.
Martignetti. Mr. Martignetti had requested such services. The meeting, it turns out, had been
postponed from November 22 to December 14. Ms. Barrett will attend and report back to TAC.
Ms. Barrett pointed out that the State wants expanded utilization of vehicles, when possible, rather than
vehicles used for one segment of the population, such as senior citizens only. At state and federal levels
there is movement towards moving away from decentralized and fragmented services. Mr. Martignetti's
concerns relate to difficulties using The RIDE, and he likely speaks for many others also having problems.
Ms. Barrett reported that The RIDE has brought in partners like Uber and Lyft to help alleviate some of
the issues.This program is called RideFlex and includes wheelchair-accessible vehicles. She pointed out
that most Council On Aging (COA)vans do not extend beyond Town borders, except in very limited
situations due to logistics of transporting in this demand-response manner.
Bicycle/Pedestrian Plan: TAC had responded with a letter of support of this plan and now wanted to
send an addendum to include Ms. Bennett's request to reference the importance of safe routes for
students, both as pedestrians and bicyclists. TAC edited a short note that Ms. Castleman had prepared,
and it was voted on and passed. VOTE: 7-0 It is to go to the SB with a copy to appropriate committee
chairs and Town department heads.
Transportation Manager Report: The remainder of the meeting included a very comprehensive update
from Ms. Barrett. Updates were provided on many initiatives,with a key focus being the regionalization
action plan. A framework for regionalization has been developed and work on this continues.This work
builds off decades of studies and demand for regionalization. More information can be found online:
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Visitor John Hilton joined the Zoom meeting to express his hope that there could be better on-demand
service for seniors and the disabled.
Mr.Jain gave a COA report,which mostly focused on housing issues. He added that seniors would like
dedicated parking spaces at the Lexington Community Center.
The Next Meeting was set for Tuesday, January 11,the second Tuesday in the month.
The meeting was adjourned at 8:50.
Respectfully submitted,
Sally Castleman