2010-10-12-TAC-min - Laserfiche WebLink

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Transportation Advisory Committee Date: October 12, 2010 Members Present: Sara Arnold, Elaine Dratch, Larry Link, Bill Levison, Peter Levy, Francine Stieglitz Member Absent: Sally Castleman Liaisons: Hank Manz, Board of Selectmen and Richard Canale, Planning Board Guest: Sean Ma, student attending as a representative of his Boy Scout Troop Staff: Gail Wagner TAC meeting minutes for August 3, August 31 and September 27 were reviewed and edits made. Edited versions voted on and approved. Lexpress Ridership, Pass Sales, Marketing ➢ Ridership for the first quarter of FYI I increased from FYI 0. ➢ Pass revenue is down but tempered by increased fare revenue. ➢ 7 am routes ending at LHS are working well, including Route 2 end stops being completed by Route 4. ➢ Marketing of Lexpress on Facebook or Twitter was suggested by Sean to attract new riders. Concern for potential inappropriate postings was voiced. Selectmen are reviewing social networks for posting town information. Fan page would be a less controversial route as it is more an advertisement than dialogue. ➢ Marketing plan based on local resources and events was preferred to seeking a marketing consultant. ➢ Lexington's status as a MA Green Community should be linked to promoting public transit as a green travel option. Hartwell Avenue TMOD ➢ TMOD document will be discussed on October 27 at a Planning Board Hearing. ➢ Lack of transportation specifics was noted. Based on public scrutiny of infrastructure when specifics were listed, Richard explained the Planning Board aimed for generic. ➢ TAC is appreciative that some of their wording edits have been incorporated in updated TMOD revisions. ➢ TAC will suggest added revised wording regarding TMA services defined by the Town. TMA study to identify relevant services and TMA membership associations is likely to require Town funding. ➢ TAC voted and approved to submit these changes to the Planning Board for the Oct 27 Hearing. ➢ Town funds appropriated at Town Meeting are likely to fund incremental infrastructure improvements on Hartwell Avenue. Electric Vehicle Charging Stations ➢ Town Manager suggested that TAC evaluate grant money from MA Dept. of Energy Resources (DOER) to construct an electric vehicle charging station in Lexington. ➢ Concerns were voiced that current electricity production dependent on coal and fossil fuel produces a larger carbon footprint than would be offset by electric vehicles. ➢ Hank suggested that the Town Energy Conservation Commission be consulted. ➢ Grant application materials have yet to be issued. Gail spoke with the DOER grant administrator. ➢ Costs: $2,500 to $18,000 to construct a station, accessing of electricity big factor. Tracking electricity usage and payment is an added expense.