HomeMy WebLinkAbout2008-09-11-LBAC-min
MEETING MINUTES
Committee Name: Bicycle Advisory Committee
Date, Time and Location of Meeting:
September 11, 2008; 7 pm; Rm 111, Town Office
Bldg
Members Present:
Marita Hartshorn, Stew Kennedy (BAC chair), Mike Tabaczynski,
Abe Shenker (FoLB Chair), George Gagliardi, John Frey, Sandra Shaw (Recreation),
Peggy Enders
Others Present:
Rich Spencer, Christine Loken-Kim, Laurel Carpenter, Bob Dangel
Members Absent:
Hank Manz (Selectmen’s Liaison), Richard Canale (Planning), Jerry
VanHook,
Issues discussed
Bikeway Celebration Plans:
Peggy, Marita, Chris and Stew are working on plans.
Will include tables, raffle, rides, bumper stickers, safety checks, trivia test,
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bike stores (Cycle Loft?), refreshments, newsletters
Embroidered shirts with the Minuteman logo are being made for the three
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founders who will attend
Volunteers are needed: members and LHS students
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LBAC picture for Town Report scheduled for 2:15 that day
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Signs to be posted around bikeway, permission will be requested by Stew
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Bike corrals, video taping, A/V equipment, someone to MC will be
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arranged
Minutes: Reviewed and approved July 10 and Aug 14th (as corrected) meeting minutes.
Membership: As Harvey’s resignation from the LBAC opens a position, a motion was
made, seconded and unanimously approved to recommend that Laurel be appointed.
Snow Plowing status: At the Selectmen’s September 8 meeting we presented our
recommendation that the Bikeway be plowed, in a pilot program, this winter. Stew and
the others who attended reported on the meeting. It included the reading of a letter sent to
the Selectmen from the Arlington Selectmen which strongly supports Lexington’s
plowing. No decision was made, although two of the four Selectmen present had voiced
support for plowing. The main issues of concern by the Selectmen seem to be safety at
the intersections when gates are open and bollards removed, and cost of plowing,
including the high costs of clearing around gates and bollards. At our meeting the LBAC
decided to recommend addressing the intersection safety concern by improving signage
to advise cyclists to dismount bikes. We decided Abe will write a letter arguing the safety
and transportation equity issues and George will draft a petition to collect signatures
asking that it be plowed, in case this is needed.
Intersection Problem: Abe reported on the safety problem for bicyclists on the
westbound side of Mass Avenue at its intersection with Marrett Road. The problem
resulted from the lane striping done by the state to create a left-turn lane there. A motion
was approved to bring this problem to the TMG for possible action.
Bikeway Maintenance: Mike, Rich and Stew reported on the recent annual ride with
DPW to identify and list Bikeway maintenance problems and issues. The punch list,
recorded by Mike Flamang has not yet been issued. DPW told us they plan to install root
barriers wherever needed along the entire Bikeway as a first step before repaving the
western half. They are considering what other kind of engineering work needs to be done
before repaving, such as correcting erosion problems, replacing gates, etc. LBAC
recommends the center stripe be repainted along the entire path soon.
Next Boardwalk project: Mike described the next scheduled project on October 11 in
Lower Vine Brook conservation area.
Center Connectivity plan: Stew reported on the plan soon to be implemented near the
Bikeway adjacent to Station Way and behind the Bank of America building. Stew will
email the plan to members and collect comments for forwarding to Susan Yanofsky.
Meeting adjourned.
Record of Friends of Lexington Bikeways discussions.
Treasurer’s Report: Rich reported current balance is $1632.68
Bike to Market Day: Tuesday October 7, 2008. Stew will assign times. Marita, Stew,
Sandra, Rich, John, and George volunteered.
Bumper Stickers: Lexington bumper stickers are in. They cost $64.95 for 50. Marita
will attach them to bollards and gates.
Improving Community Outreach/interface: Laurel Carpenter will head up a
subcommittee to update our e-mail lists and explore ways of improving our efficiency in
communicating. They will look into developing a Lexington Bike Website including a
contact management system to keep the site up-to-date. George and Abe will assist.
Meeting adjourned
Information Distributed:
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Draft minutes from July and August meetings
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Request for use of Minuteman Bikeway and Visitor Center lawn on October 5
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Bikeway celebration list of tasks
Recorders:
Abe Shenker and Marita Hartshorn;Stew Kennedy (editor)
Next Meeting: October 9, 2008, 7 PM, Room 111, Town Office Building