HomeMy WebLinkAbout2023-10-17-TAC-min
October 17, 2023 Minutes
Transportation Advisory Committee
Town of Lexington
Location: Estabrook Hall. In person.
Scheduled Time: 7pm EDT
Members Present: Sally Castleman, Vinita Verma, Mark Andersen, Pam Lyons, Kunal Botla
(arr. 7:40pm)
Members Absent: Jonathan Schwarz
Liaisons Present: Sudhir Jain, Council on Aging; Nishanth Veeragandham, Student Liaison;
Susan Barrett, Town Transportation Manager;
Others Present: Sebastian Fairbairn, Elaine Dratch, Joe Pato (arr 7:49pm)
Meeting was called to order at 7:35pm EDT when quorum was present.
Transportation Manager’s Update: Susan Barrett summarizes slides provided to the
committee. Susan having conversations with MassDOT for regional coordination of Council on
Aging. MassDOT is working on a system map of all transportation systems, public and
private. Shared at last Boston MPO working group.
Stats on Lex-Connect shared. At this point, fewer trips in the first months of 2023 than all of
2024.
More parent coordinators needed for Safe Routes to School. Many bike events cancelled due
to rain this year.
Minutes Approval:
June 2023 approved unanimously
July 2023 approved subject to spelling corrections and update to open meeting law stipulation
for Zoom meetings unanimously
Marketing Plan:
Members did not have marketing plan from earlier work in spring 2023 at hand. Susan shared
that she has a marketing plan, and Sally plans to obtain Kunal’s list and correspond with groups
in town about the Lexpress system and the new passes.
Liaison Reports:
Sudhir Jain, Council on Aging - director of human services departed, October 11 was the last
day. Senior parking stickers process is on, previous passes valid to October 31. New passes
arriving by post. List of goals to Select Board - affordable housing and support for seniors to
remain in their home. Third goal is making Lexpress accessible for seniors to engage in town
activities, and safety of seniors on walking and biking path. Lexpress is not the only solution -
and may not help those who are off the route. One concern is distance to Lexpress route, a
second is the end of the day when Lexpress stops, and a third is weekends.
Nishanth Veeragandham, Student Liaison - There is a half-day this Friday and ridership on
Lexpress could be promoted. Nishanth suggested connecting with contemporary events such
as a new Taylor Swift album. Kunal mentioned that there was a precedent in that the MTA had
some success for a similar event on the ferry.
Separate conversations around marketing will occur between Sally and Kunal offline, and then
come back to the committee to report on marketing.
Next meeting is scheduled for November 14, 2023
Meeting adjourned at 8:08 pm.