2010-11-09-TAC-min - Laserfiche WebLink

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Transportation Advisory Committee Date: November 9, 2010 Members Present: Sara Arnold, Elaine Dratch, Larry Link, Bill Levison, Francine Stieglitz Member Absent: Sally Castleman, Peter Levy Liaisons: Nancy Adler, Council of Aging Board Guest: Charlotte Rodgers, Human Services Director Staff: Gail Wagner TAC meeting minutes for October 12, 2010 were voted on and approved. Senior Transportation Field Trip on MBTA to secure Senior Access Cards ➢ Larry developed event flyer. Feedback was given to include COA phone number and list date and time more prominently. Event is December 9 at 1 pm. To compliment the MBTA schedule, meeting time at the COA will be advanced in subsequent listings. ➢ Larry, Bill and Gail will accompany the group. ➢ Sign up is through the COA registration desk. Senior Transportation Survey ➢ Marian Cohen of the COA Board and Brianna Olson, Town Manager intern, compiled the survey. It was tailored to assess unmet senor needs rather than a town wide view. ➢ Lexington's population has remained in the 30,000 range for some years. Senior citizens (over 60) are in the 8,000 range. ➢ Charlotte explained that among seniors the 85+ group is the fastest growing. This segment was described as frail, homebound, and committed to living at home. ➢ Transportation for frail seniors and disabled adults is a primary unmet concern. ➢ The COA board is researching this topic with the help of a student COA intern. ➢ Emerging ideas are: taxi vouchers or a pilot van service. These services could bring homebound residents to special events at the COA. Funding would be through the Friends of the COA. ➢ Gail suggested research include inventory of School Dept. LABB vans and availability when not in use. Hartwell Avenue TMOD ➢ A few of TAC suggestions were included in the TMOD document which was approved by the Planning Board. ➢ Richard Canale at this meeting abstained from voting on the final document, as he felt the process was rushed. ➢ TAC sees the absence of start -up TMA funding as problematic. It was speculated that a Town Meeting Warrant Article may be the eventual funding mechanism. Lexpress Update ➢ Riders on the Route 4 extension, Concord Ave west of Waltham Street, were tracked the last week in October. Riders totaled 34. Most riders on lam and 3pm runs. ➢ October ridership was approximately 200 less than October 2009. Fare revenue was approximately the same. Electric Vehicle Charging Stations ➢ Bill and Peter compiled an energy usage report and submitted it to the Town Energy Conservation Commission (ECC) who will meet on November 10. ➢ State is looking for "shovel ready" projects including partners to assist towns with expenses. State grant per charging station is approximately $2,500.