HomeMy WebLinkAbout2008-03-13-LBAC-min
MEETING MINUTES
Committee Name: Bicycle Advisory Committee
Date, Time and Location of Meeting:
March 13, 2008; 7:00 pm; Rm 111
Members Present:
Harvey Bingham, Peg Enders, John Frey, George Gagliardi, Stew
Kennedy (BAC chair), Abe Shenker (FoLB Chair), Mike Tabaczynski,Jerry VanHook
Others Present:
Carolyn Siccama, Bob Dangel, Rich Spencer
Members Absent:
Richard Canale (Planning), Marita Hartshorn, Hank Manz
(Selectmen), Sandra Shaw (Recreation)
Record of Votes taken and issues discussed.
Minutes
from the February meeting were reviewed and approved as submitted.
North – South Bike Route: Abe and Peggy have not met since the last meeting. In
Burlington, Jim Nevins and Mildred Nash are knowledgeable about Burlington paths, and
should be contacted. We discussed a general approach to identify a route and then
suggest improvements for a longer-term. It was pointed out that the Planning Board has
actively shown interest in and promoted cycling and pedestrian activity in the past. The
Transportation Element of the Comprehensive Plan, produced by the Planning Board in
2003, may have ideas for possible N-S routes.
Tri-Town Meeting:
Marita reported (in absentia) that she has action items from the last
Tri-Town meeting to do after she returns from vacation.
TM Warrant Articles: We discussed Town Meeting Article 59, regarding proposed
zoning changes for office building parking, and whether we should take a position on it.
It was suggested that some of the wording on bicycle parking is unclear and needs to be
improved. Given that this article’s main effect is to change the required number of motor
vehicle parking spaces, we also discussed if we should instead put forth (in a future town
meeting) an article of the position of the BAC regarding bike parking specifically.
Approved Motion: Should the opportunity come up at this town meeting to comment on
bike parking or access, the bike committee would comment that we'd like to see bike
planning and parking be part of all appropriate zoning laws and development plans in
Lexington. Stew then reviewed the warrant articles that deal with parcels potentially to be
purchased for conservation.
2008 Trail Project Plans: Mike distributed a schedule for trail building days this year.
Other items:
??
The Minuteman Bikeway has been selected by the Rails-to-Trails Conservancy
for induction into its Hall of Fame. It will be the fifth trail receiving this
recognition. This will mean special award signage, media outreach, distinction on
the Rails-to-Trails website, and a story in the Rails-to-Trails magazine for the
Minuteman. We’re told we’ll hear more about this in the coming months.
??
George reported he sent a letter to the Concord Journal as an abutter to the
Minuteman, supporting the Bruce Freeman Rail Trail.
??
George commented on the status of project to have signs placed on the Rte 95
overpass of the Bikeway. The job will be expensive due to installation costs, as
the highway right lane will need to be closed during installation. He is working on
a cost estimate.
Meeting adjourned.
Record of Friends of Lexington Bikeways votes and discussions.
Treasurer’s Report: Rich reported $2078.75 in the treasury.
MAPC Bike Racks:
Post office approved the racks via email. DPW requested it in
writing. A bike rack is in the process of being installed in the parking lot behind the
electric building. This rack is one-sided to allow room for wheelchairs and avoid snow
plow damage.
Clarke Bridge project: Peg reported she had talked to Steve Flynn and learned the target
is to have a bridge completed by the end of the spring.
Farmers’ Market:
Carolyn described a concept floated in town committees for a regular
Green transportation day in Lexington. As parking is a big issue at the Farmer's market,
that committee hopes to promote clean transportation (walking, biking, etc.) on Tuesdays
– Farmers’ Market days. Thus Bike to the Market could become a regular feature. See
cambridgegreeninitiative web site for ideas.
Annual Bikeway Cleanup and Trail Count:
As the MPO selected May 3 for the first
trail count day – the same day we’re doing the Bikeway cleanup, we decided both
activities could be supported on the same day: they are not conflicting and even could get
double duty from some volunteers. We agreed to ask the DPW to sweep the path as soon
as the remaining ice clears as there is a lot of debris on the path.
Other business: Stew described the program Marjorie Nickels has initiated to have
Lexington’s Stop & Shop sell portable, personal shopping carts for people to bring with
them to the market. This will be one more step in making it easier for people to leave
their cars at home.
Meeting adjourned
Information Distributed:
Draft minutes for February 2008 meeting
Email message from MPO with details on 2008 Trail Count plans
Ltr from K. O’Brien, Arlington PB Director, on R-t-T Hall of Fame
Lexington OSRP Forum announcement
Recorder(s):
Abe Shenker; Stew Kennedy (editor)
Next Meeting: April 10, 2008, 7PM, Room 111 in Town Office Building