HomeMy WebLinkAbout2022-06-21-TAC-min
Minutes
Transportation Advisory Committee (TAC)
[June 21, 2022]
Place: The meeting was held remotely pursuant to Chapter 20 of the Acts of 2021 and its
extension according to provisions of Governor Baker's March 12, 2020 Executive Order. The
Zoom teleconferencing session was open to the public.
Scheduled time: 7:00 p.m.
Members Present: Vinita Verma, Co-Chair; Pamela Lyons, Co-Chair, Sara Arnold*, Sally
Castleman, Elaine Dratch *Ms Arnold, who is in the process of resigning from TAC, left
shortly after the meeting began
Member(s) Absent: Andra Bennett
Liaisons and Town Staff: Susan Barrett, Lexington Transportation Manager; Joe Pato, Select
Board (did not arrive until 8:50, as he had another meeting as well); Sudhir Jain, Council on
Aging (COA); Melanie Thompson, Planning Board
Liaisons Absent: Shefali Verma, Student Representative
Others Present: Kunal Botla, who has applied for membership on TAC
Ms. Lyons reviewed the authorization for meeting remotely and noted that the meeting was
being called to order at 7:05 p.m. on June 21, 2022. Ms. V. Verma confirmed attendance by roll
call.
Public Input
There was no public input. However, Ms Arnold informed us that the Open Meeting Law
instructs us to include in our minutes absent members and absent liaisons, and as well as a list of
materials used at the meeting. Copies of materials should also be given to the Transportation
Manager to keep in the file. Ms Arnold will provide a template for future minutes. Ms Lyons
suggested that we put votes taken in bold.
Ms Barrett informed us that when we communicate with one another, we should also include the
TAC email address. Also that we need someone to retrieve messages from that address. Ms
Verma said she has tried to contact IT for the method for retrieval but has not heard back.
Minutes
A Motion was made and seconded to approve the May 10, 2022 draft Minutes. In a roll-call
vote, the motion passed unanimously.
Agenda Item: Transportation Manager’s Update
A. Comp Plan. The latest version of the Comprehensive Plan is online. TAC should send
feedback. Plan should be finalized in the fall of ’22. Ms Dratch suggested that we discuss
our comments as an agenda item at next meeting, so we can give input as a committee.
B. Regionalization Update. (1) Plans are moving but very slowly. (2) Ms Barrett is
looking at Burlington and Waltham for participants. (3) She reports that everyone is
excited until they hear the cost! (4) Looking at fixed vs demand system. Micro-transit
can accommodate an average of only 3 rides/ vehicle hour, which cannot work without
additional vehicles. (5) It would be best for a regional transit authority to run a
regional system, but none in this region is willing to add more service at this time.
TMAs are the next best answer. The MBTA Bus Network Redesign public
meeting for the Minuteman area, which includes Lexington, will be tomorrow, June
22. The Town of Lexington has submitted formal feedback with its suggestions. These
suggestions include: keeping the 76 all day, but re-routing to go up Hartwell and
continue to go through Center and by high school and to extend the 77 to Lexington
Center.
C. Lexpress Update. (1) Ridership is slowly rising but is not back to pre-COVID levels,
as with all transit systems, everywhere. (2) Ms Barrett is considering changing Route
C, which has the lowest ridership, to a demand system for the whole town, as a trial.
(3) The Town will need a new Lexpress contract in 2023. (4) It will also need a new
taxi contract for Lex=Connect in 2023.
D. Upcoming Grant Opportunities. There are a number of grant opportunities the
Transportation office will apply for: Community Transit Grant for vehicle acquisition,
MassDevelopment Taxi grant for the taxi program, then farther down the road the
Community Connections grant (for transit tech and operating) and another Community
Transit Grant for operating support.
E. Upcoming Events. Several bike events are planned, including the Bike Rodeo, Family
Friendly Group Bike Ride, Smart Cycling Teens, Smart Cycling Youth & Parents, and
Smart Cycling (ages 16+)
F. Burlington Mall Bus Stop. The Mall management relocated the stop to in back of
buildings. Problems, as we see it: no shelter, near dumpsters, near loading docks for
large trucks, difficult to cross to a mall entrance, not where the T and LRTA will be,
even though Mall wanted it as a “transit hub.”
Ms Lyons suggested getting Committee on Disability to weigh in.
Mr. Jain suggested COA register their objections.
Ms Castleman suggested a letter from the Select Board, citing all these issues,
would carry the most weight.
Mr. Botla suggests a letter that says since the T and LRTA will not be using the
spot, and since Lexpress needs only a small spot, for only moments each hour,
perhaps they can leave the Lexpress stop at its current location.
Agenda Item: Liaison Report
A. Select Board Liaison Joe Pato informed us that the liaisons are frequently switched
and that Suzie Barry is the new TAC liaison. Mr. Pato added that he will continue to
stay in contact with us also, as many of his other assignments and interests relate
closely to transportation issues.
B. Ms Barrett asked the committee’s ideas or feedback on the regionalization efforts.
1. Mr. Botla believes a strong PR campaign is needed to sell the concept, the
importance, and the advantages to the population.
2. Ms Barrett intends to hold stakeholder meetings.
3. Ms Barrett also said that since more money is needed for a more holistic system,
TDM agreements must keep this in mind. (There was not follow up or
suggestions to this suggestion.)
Ms Barrett again stressed the probable need for a TMA to “run” a regional system. (Ms
Castleman is concerned that the TMA headed by Monica Tibbets-Nutt is excellent and has strong
leadership but not sure what might happen after she steps down.)
Future Meetings
Ms Verma will not be in town for a July meeting but the committee agreed to meet on July 12
just the same.
Adjournment
The meeting adjourned at 9:47 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Sally Castleman