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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2007-07-12-LBAC-min MEETING MINUTES Committee Name: Bicycle Advisory Committee Date, Time and Location of Meeting: July 12, 2007; 7:00 pm; Rm 111 Members Present: Stew Kennedy (BAC chair), Harvey Bingham, John Frey, Marita Hartshorn, Hank Manz (Selectmen), Jim Wichmann, Mike Tabaczynski, Others Present: Bob Dangel,Peg Enders (FOLB), Carolyn Siccama Members Absent: Richard Canale (Planning), George Gagliardi, Sandra Shaw (Recreation), Abe Shenker (FOLB Chair), Rich Spencer (FOLB), Jerry Van Hook Record of Votes taken and issues discussed. Minutes from the June meeting were reviewed and approved as corrected. Bike Racks by the Depot Building: Stew told of an informal meeting last week with Susan Bennett at which she said the HS is counting on John Frey handling the HDC approval process for (re)placing the two bike racks near the Depot building. John had been surprised upon learning this, but has agreed to handle the approval request. Representing the BAC, he will see if both racks, or at least the one rack being put back under the canopy, can be approved at the HDC meeting later tonight. Globe article and letters about “Bikeway Rage”: After discussion of the unfortunate photo article in the July 1 Boston Globe and the subsequent letters about it, it was agreed that signage about sensible usage and education of users of the Bikeway are our most effective ways of influencing safety and harmony on the Bikeway. Jerry had already written a good letter to the editor of the Minuteman. Peg will write an article addressing proper Bikeway etiquette to submit to the Minuteman. Request for permission to take survey of Bikeway users: Stew related the request from the Harvard School of Public Health (HSPH) for permission to conduct a survey of Bikeway users in late summer or early fall. Ours was selected as one of the ten popular recreational greenways in to be included in this study being conducted by Dr. Anne Lusk of the HSPH. The objective of the study will be to better understand environments that encourage people to bicycle, jog, walk and in-line skate for their health. The request was unanimously approved, and the committee will be interested in hearing any conclusions about the Minuteman. Stew will report this to the Selectmen. Hartwell Ave. / TMG / Sidewalk Committee report: Jerry not being present, Stew told of the TMG meeting planned for July 17, at 8:30 AM, at which a preliminary report of the traffic study conducted by BSG will be presented. Jerry and Stew will plan to attend. Trail project leadership training: Mike described the meetings he has set up to give field training for project leaders. This is an attempt to better spread Mike’s knowledge around while better conserving his time. The sessions will be on July 22 and July 28, both from 9 AM to noon. Location signs on Bikeway: Jim told of the confusion he saw over location of a reported accident along the Bikeway, where emergency responders thus had trouble finding the accident. We discussed pros and cons of various signage and pavement paving ideas. It was agreed the existing granite mile markers are inadequate: they are not universally understood, and they don’t define which town one is in. Peg related how such safety related issues were seen in a clearer light where she worked at MIT, following the shootings at Virginia Tech. At the least, a good idea would be to erect town boundary identifications. And there was agreement that clearer mile markers should be posted, each identifying the town in which they lie. It was also agreed that the marking should be done uniformly in all the Minuteman towns. Marita thus agreed to send a letter to the Arlington and Bedford bike committees, discussing these ideas and getting their thoughts. Other Business: Harvey reported getting chastised by an abutter for trimming a tree that was obscuring a Bikeway warning sign on Revere Street. Harvey had reported this to Dave Pinsonneault who calmed him down and then got the trimmings picked up. Meeting adjourned. Record of Friends of Lexington Bikeways votes and discussions. Treasurer’s Report : New balance of $1,9031.30 reported after $100 donated to Fern’s Bathroom project. Bike to Market Day: Carolyn Siccama explained her ideas for promoting the idea of more bicycling to the Lexington Farmers’ Market. The resulting publicity will also advance our goal of encouraging more bicycling and walking in general in town. The Bikeway Source has agreed to bring panniers and racks for display, to show people how easily groceries can be carried on a bike. $2 coupons will be handed out to all people arriving by bicycle. As parking of bikes will be an issue, Mike suggested setting up – for this special event – valet bicycle parking. Hank then suggested the portable barriers the town purchased might fill the bill for this purpose. Volunteers to help with bicycle parking will be needed, and members were encouraged to get in touch with Carolyn if they can help. The Farmers’ Market on August 7 was chosen for this event. Clarke Middle School bridge: Peg reported on her progress so far in gathering available information on the school bridge repair project and her plan to talk to those who have had an oar in the water on this. So far she talked to Abe and Stew, and now will talk to Mike, Hank, and Steve Kropper, and others as necessary. Hank mentioned the idea of possibly requesting CPA money, if the repair looks expensive. Mike mentioned the probable need to look into accessibility issues (per ADA) as this goes forward. MAPC Bike Racks: Marita reported that Lexington’s request has been submitted (in time.) Hank will report this back to the Selectmen to make sure they are aware of the program. Paper Streets: Marita and Marianne Lazaras are working together on this project to identify paper streets that can be used by pedestrians and to get their status clarified. They will make their report to the Sidewalk Committee. Miscellaneous: Stew reported talking to Dave Cannon about the area around the ramp leading from the Bikeway to the exit from the new “NSTAR” parking lot in the center. Dave had agreed that there will be adequate room left, with handicapped parking on both sides of that ramp terminus, for a bike rack. This would be a prime location for a rack to serve the Bikeway and the center shopping area. Meeting adjourned at 8:30 PM. Information Distributed: Draft minutes June 2007 meeting Recorder Name: Harvey Bingham (scribe); Stew Kennedy (editor) Next Meeting: August 9, 2007, 7PM, Room 111 in Town Office Building