HomeMy WebLinkAbout2007-03-08-LBAC-min
MEETING MINUTES
Committee Name: Bicycle Advisory Committee
Date, Time and Location of Meeting:
March 8, 2007; 7:00 pm; Cary Hall
Members Present:
Stew Kennedy (BAC chair), Harvey Bingham, John Frey, George
Gagliardi, Marita Hartshorn, Abe Shenker (FOLB Chair) Mike Tabaczynski, Jerry Van
Hook
Others Present:
Rich Spencer (FOLB)
Members Absent:
Richard Canale (Planning), Hank Manz (Selectmen), Sandra Shaw
(Recreation), Jim Wichmann
Record of Votes taken and issues discussed.
Minutes
from the January meeting were reviewed and approved. Minutes from the
February meeting were reviewed and approved as corrected.
Woburn Street:
In light of news from Engineering that redesign of Woburn Street is in
planning, the Bikeway crossing and other features relative to bicycling on the street were
discussed. It was agreed that we would like to be involved as options for safety
improvements are considered. Of particular interest is the design of the intersection with
Mass Ave. Also of interest is whether pavement widening to allow room for bicycle lanes
is possible. Stew will convey our interest to Dave Cannon.
Snow pile on Bikeway at Center parking lot:
Hank Manz’s proactive work to get the
inevitable snow piles not put there in the first place and then promptly removed was
reported. Kudos to Hank!
West Lexington Greenway project status:
Mike reported that the project plan
continues to receive helpful exposure at public meetings, and invited members to attend
the upcoming TMMA information session on March 14 and the Town Meeting session
on a date not yet certain.
MassHighway talk on trail surfaces:
The invitation we received to attend a talk by
George Batchelor of MassHighway on alternative path surfaces was discussed. The talk
will be March 12 at the Bruce Freeman Trail Friends Group meeting in Sudbury. We
agreed it is important to have representation there, but no one committed, as there are
conflicts for many that night.
Hartwell Ave. / TMG / Sidewalk Committee report:
Jerry brought us up to speed on
his recent liaison activities. He reported on the MPO (Metropolitan Planning Office)
meeting he attended in Waltham at which the MPO 10-year transportation plan was
discussed. It was encouraging to see that bicycle / pedestrian paths are included. He will
explore availability of the MPO report. The Design Advisory Committee, in seeking to
expand business activities along Hartwell Ave and thus increase tax revenues, are
considering mixed zoning, including retail businesses. Jerry spoke with Colin Smith, an
architect and head of that committee, explaining our interest in better bicycle and
pedestrian access. Mr. Smith seemed in agreement with the proposal for bike lanes.
Center Safety signs:
Stew explained the incorrect information he had presented at the
February meeting which was based on his misunderstanding of the proposed plan. After
discussion of the actual plan, as approved recently by the Selectmen, the committee
agreed that the approval voted last month is still appropriate. Stew agreed to recommend
to Dawn McKenna and Carl Valente that we be involved in deciding on the placement
near the Bikeway of the additional Center Safety signs and to notify them that Marita has
the template that was used for the existing HDC-approved signs.
Route 128 overpass signs:
George reported progress on the effort to gain approval for
placing signs on the overpass identifying the Minuteman Commuter Bikeway to
motorists. He has found to whom the request should be addressed at MassHighway and
drafted a letter, sent by Stew this week, requesting the necessary application.
Bikeway Safety:
Abe reported on discussions he had with emergency responders in the
fire and police departments regarding the possibility of tracking ambulance data for
bicyclists involved in accidents in town. Currently there is no way to do a coded search of
the records, selecting for bicyclists. Thus there may be more accidents than we are aware
of, including along the Minuteman, because the records of them are not readily available.
Access to such data would be helpful in our mission of improving safety for bicycling in
town. Abe agreed to draft a letter to the appropriate authorities, requesting the needed
record-keeping change.
Emergency Vehicles on Bikeway:
Abe reported that the emergency people he talked
with at the Fire and Police Departments expressed dismay at the lack of understanding
people have about emergency vehicles needing to use the Bikeway in responding to
accidents or other calls for help along the Bikeway. On most such calls they usually
encounter rude behavior from someone along the way. We discussed the need for
education of Bikeway users to be respectful – dare we say even helpful – when
encountering emergency vehicles on the Bikeway. Harvey agreed to send a message to
MassBike about this, and Stew agreed to do the same for the Charles River Wheelmen. A
letter to this effect in the Lexington Minuteman also might help.
Meeting adjourned at 8:40 PM
Record of Friends of Lexington Bikeways votes and discussions.
Treasurer’s Report
: Balance unchanged at $2,031.30.
MAPC Bike Rack Program:
Marita reported on the status of Lexington’s application
for these free bike racks. Dave Pinsonneault is coordinating the application and is
combining our recommendations with those from the Recreation Department.
Lexington’s cap will be approximately $7000 worth of racks. So far the need for $5817
worth has been identified. A problem will be how to pay for the racks up-front. (MAPC
reimburses the Town’s cost after they have been installed.) The Rec Department reports
they have no funds available. The Blossom Fund has been suggested as a possible source.
Newsletter Mailing:
Not yet done.
Spring Cleanup:
Saturday, May 5, between 9 am and noon, was confirmed as date and
time for the spring cleanup of the Bikeway. Stew reported that the Arlington Friends of
the Bikeway intend to do their cleanup at the same time as ours again this year (the
coordinator in Arlington is Ron Sender); and all four Starbucks stores in the two towns
(two in each town) intend to join us. They plan to do a better job in advertising and
coordinating their efforts this year. Stew will be meeting with the Starbucks managers
and Ron Sender to help coordinate.
Lexington GWAC offer for discussion:
It was agreed that rather than have GWAC
come and do their presentation at one of our meetings, we find out when the presentation
will be made at other venues that we can attend individually.Stew will contact GWAC
with that decision.
Other Business:
Harvey announced that the Historical Society has accepted our offer
for the loan of Marita’s collection of railroad depot photos with delight and has planned a
display around it.
Abe announced he had finally heard back from Steve Kropper about the repair of the
bridge at Clarke School. Unfortunately, it appears that the project still seems to be
dormant.
Meeting adjourned at 9:06 PM.
Information Distributed:
Draft minutes from January 2007 meeting
Draft minutes from February 2007 meeting
March 5, 2007ltr from S. Kennedy to MassHwy Director requesting application form
Recorder Name:
Harvey Bingham (scribe); Stew Kennedy (editor)
Next Meeting: April 12, 2007, 7PM, Room 111 in Town Office Building