HomeMy WebLinkAbout2022-04-12-TAC-min Transportation Advisory Committee
Minutes of Tuesday, April 12, 2022
Members Present: Vinita Verma, Chair, Sara Arnold, Elaine Dratch, Pam Lyons. Co-
Chair. Absent: Andra Bennett, Sally Castleman
Staff: Susan Barrett, Transportation Manager
Liaisons: Joe Pato, Select Board , Melanie Thompson, Planning Board, Sudhir Jain,
Council on Aging (COA)
Guest Speaker: Melinda Walker, Raise Up Massachusetts
The meeting was held on Zoom, pursuant to MA Chapter 20 of the Acts of 2021.
The meeting was called to order by Ms. Verma at 7:04 PM.
Minutes
The March 3, 2022 minutes were approved unanimously after a sentence about
responsibility for TDM was eliminated.
Presentation
Melinda Walker of “Raise up Massachusetts” presented information regarding the
Fair Share Amendment, which will be on the November 2022 Ballot. Her
presentation is attached. In response to the discussion, Ms. Walker stated that
the Raise up Massachusetts Committee is looking for endorsements, monetary
support, and volunteers to bring this issue to the public.
Questions identified and subsequent discussion included:
• Whether TAC should write a letter of support: Mr. Pato suggested
that TAC draft a response to the Fair Share questionnaire and submit
it to the Select Board for approval and support. Ms. Verma and Ms.
Barrett will collect input from TAC members to be finalized at our
next meeting.
• How will money generated by the Fair Share Amendment be divided
between education and transit and between roads and public
transit? This has not been determined.
• How does Lexington advocate for local projects and for regional
proposals affecting Lexington that could be funded by the additional
revenue collected? If the Fair Share Amendment is approved, TAC
and the Select Board can lobby our legislators. Possible MBTA needs
include paratransit electric vehicles, debt paydown, and last mile
transit.
Ms. Arnold moved that TAC recommend to the SB that TAC and the SB support
the Fair Share Amendment. The motion was seconded and unanimously approved
by roll call vote.
Bus Shelter Update
Ms. Lyons reported that after having gained tentative approval from both
the Historic District Commission (HDC) and the Commission on Disability (COD)
for a specific bus shelter design, it was found that the design is no longer being
made. Ms. Barrett identified another shelter with attributes important to HDC
and COD. This was passed along to Mark Connor of the HDC. With the help of
Mark Connor, she is pursuing a new design. They are hoping to find something
similar and to get “buy-in” from HDC and COD. The town manager has approved
funding for site design. The hope is that once this decision is made it will serve as
a standard for additional sites in town.
Transportation Manager’s Report
• Ms.Barrett reported that the MBTA has removed the electric trolleys (i.e.
73) from service. Because these buses operate with power from overhead
catenary wires (not tracks) and the buses have reached end of useful life,
new buses need to be purchased. However, the roads that align with the
catenary wires will be under construction for next 5 years, requiring buses
that can operate on different routes, meaning they have to be buses that
don’t rely on overhead power.
• Ms. Barrett is the Town’s representative on the MBTA Advisory Board. The
Board is currently reviewing the 5 year Capital Improvement Plan for the
MBTA and Towns are encouraged to submit related letters. She is drafting a
letter that will either be sent by the Town Manager or Select Board. The
letter will emphasize the value of public transportation; the importance of
electrifying rail systems and reducing fares without negatively affecting
debt Services; Paratransit services; working with MA Health and Human
Services Agency for blending funding and coordination.
• Lexpress – March ridership improved over February. It is still difficult to get
full time drivers.
• The present Lexpress contract will end on June 30, 2023. . Ms. Barrett
requested a “working group” to help with determining service needs and
appropriate community transportation model, drafting a new RFP if
needed, figuring out budget requirements, and determining what kind of
vehicle types should be required. Electric vehicles work better with
garages. We cannot extend the current contract any further, despite
uncertainty about regional needs.
• Ms. Barrett has been receiving updated costs on local microtransit services
and will report out at next meeting.”
• May is Bike Month. There are extra bike – related activities that month and
assistance at events and programs is requested.
• The request to fund a Pedestrian & Bike Master Plan passed at Town
Meeting. The Town will also incorporate a Vision Zero Plan into overall
planning.
Liaison reports
Ms. Thomson: Town meeting is considering several Zoning Articles:
• Article 38: 95 and 99 Spring St.- Update life sciences Buildings
• Article 39: 475 Bedford St.- Has been referred back to the Planning Board
because there is considerable neighborhood opposition.
• Article 35: Open space in residential areas: All developments should offer
sidewalks.
Sudhir Jain COA liaison. At the Community Center some Seniors are having
difficulty parking near the building. So far, the Community Center is not changing
anything. (Covid has kept the traffic low anyway).
Next meeting- Tuesday, May 10.
Meeting was adjourned at 8:40 PM by roll call vote.
Respectfully submitted,
Elaine Dratch
Materials Used during the Meeting:
Agenda
Presentation by Ms. Walker