2012-02-27-TGC-final-rpt - Laserfiche WebLink

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Recommendations Dissolve the Traffic Mitigation Group (TMG) The TMG was intended to fulfill two functions: a) Coordinate review of traffic related issues resulting from new development and b) Recommend and administer traffic mitigation projects. The TMG never functioned as intended, largely because as a committee of volunteers it lacked the expertise to fulfill the charge and was set up with more responsibility than authority. Aspects of the TMG role are conducted now by the Selectmen. TMG did attempt to identify and address broad transportation issues. There continues to be a need to coordinate and communicate transportation initiatives. Establish a Quarterly Transportation Review Conduct three or four meetings of all the Boards, committees and staff, including public safety, involved in transportation planning and implementation to review programs and match objectives against the Transportation Element of the Comprehensive Plan. Improved communication from these sessions should reduce redundancy, identify synergies among the committees and align priorities. As common goals are identified, the benefits of joint meetings and consolidating committees may be recognized. By sharing information broadly, pressure on liaisons and staff to serve as conduits will be relieved and the need to attend regularly scheduled meetings reduced. A suggested schedule of reporting is attached (Appendix iv). Given the volume of information, each group will be asked to present their programs twice during the year. Timing of these presentations should be planned to coincide with the budgeting and funding cycle to assure that initiatives are aligned with available resources. All transportation related committee members should be encouraged to attend these review sessions to ensure that information is broadly shared. Other town committees e.g. Tourism, Historic Districts Commission (HDC), Economic Development Advisory Committee (EDAC), may find the topics covered in the review sessions relevant to their missions. Reporting data at these sessions will measure progress and support prioritizations. A few metrics to be reported are suggested in Appendix iv, assuming collection of this data does not provide an additional burden to staff. Other metrics may be identified by the group. Attention should be given to the interface between the public and the various committees and staff functions, perhaps through clarification of roles on the Town's website and related publications. It is difficult for the average resident to know where to go or how to start getting transportation related concerns addressed.