2011-01-10-TAC-min - Laserfiche WebLink

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Transportation Advisory Committee Date:*, January 10, 2011 Members Present: Sara Arnold, Elaine Dratch, Peter Levy, Larry Link, Francine Sti*eglitz Members Absent: Bill Levison, Sally Castleman, Liaisons: Nancy Adler, Council of Aging and Richard Canale, Planning Board Guests: Dawn McKenna of Tourism Committee, Bij*an Afshartous and Maureen Mahoney. Staff: Gail Wagner TAC meeting minutes for December 14, 2010 were voted on and approved with edits. Sunday MBTA Service ➢ Tourism Committee's Liberty Ride runs seven days per week, June through October. MBTA has no Sunday service in Lexington which makes it difficult for those dependent on public transit to access the Liberty Ride on Sundays. ➢ A meeting with Representative Kaufman and a MBTA representative was arranged by Dawn McKenna of the Tourism Committee. The meeting date of January 12 was postponed due to a forecasted snow storm. A new appointment date is pending. ➢ Ms. McKenna extended invites to this meeting to TAC, Gail Wagner, Town of Bedford, Hanscom Air Base and VA Bedford Hospital and Lexington citizens working on a MBTA petition for improved service. ➢ The meeting would initiate a dialogue with the MBTA on service issues. Historically, when service improvements are raised, MBTA financial perils dominate discussion. ➢ If no outside assistance is available, Liberty Ride is committed to run a limited shuttle this summer between Lexington and the MBTA Alewife Station. Data from this service would substantiate level of interest in Sunday MBTA service. MBTA Citizens' Petition ➢ Bi i an Afshartous, Lexington resident who travels by bicycle and public transit, initiated a petition signed by 1,100 residents of Lexington, Arlington, Bedford and Belmont requesting MBTA Sunday service and extended evening hours. ➢ Maureen Mahoney, Lexington resident, is working to improve better MBTA service to the Bedford VA Hospital. Ms. Mahoney had no data regarding unmet VA transit needs. TAC's MBTA Objectives ➢ TAC has MBTA concerns beyond Sunday service, such as Hartwell Avenue. ➢ Sara will contact Rep. Kaufman and Selectman Manz to give an overview of concerns. ➢ Town's Vision 20/20 Transportation Plan was identified as providing a comprehensive view. ➢ What are Lexington's transit goals for the next 5 years and what can be expected of the MBTA? Lexpress Update ➢ December ridership was slightly higher than last year. FYI I had 20 service days in December compared to 22 service days in FYI 0. ➢ Lexpress service was canceled by town officials in anticipation of the Dec. 27 blizzard. ➢ Patriot's Parade will be held April 18. COA and TAC will once again collaborate. ➢ Parade theme is the celebration of the 236 anniversary of the Battle of Lexington. Electric Vehicle Charging Station Grant ➢ February 15 is the grant award date posted by the State. ➢ If awarded, Town has the right of refusal if it cannot enact project.