HomeMy WebLinkAbout2012-10-10-TAC-minTransportation Advisory Committee (TAC)
Minutes — October 10, 2012
TAC Members present: Sara Arnold, Francine Stieglitz, Peter Levy, Sally Castleman, Bill Levison
TAC Members absent: Marty Cohen, Elaine Dratch, Larry Link
Staff: Jeanette Rebecchi, Charlotte Rodgers
Liaisons: Nancy Adler, Council of Aging; Hank Manz, Board of Selectmen
Guest: Michael Boudett
1. Review of Previous Meeting Minutes
• Minutes from the June 13 TAC meeting were approved unanimously.
• Minutes from the September 19 TAC meeting were approved unanimously.
2. Transportation Forum Update
• Bill Levison attended the Transportation Forum, shared handouts from the meeting and
reviewed the discussions with TAC.
3. Proposed Revision to the Charge for the Transportation Advisory Committee (TAC)
• Bill's proposed revisions to the Charge for the Transportation Advisory Committee were
discussed briefly. Minor edits to wording were made.
• The proposed Charge was unanimously approved by TAC members for submission to the
Board of Selectmen for approval.
4. FY 2014 Transportation Services Budget
• TDM Accounts
• Bill reviewed his spreadsheets showing TDM contributions from Lexington
businesses, current balance, and calculation of the minimum TDM contribution to
the Transportation Services Budget for FY2014.
• The TAC members voted 4 -0 (one abstention) to support Bill's proposal for
withdrawal of $86,000 [rounded up from the minimum calculated amount of
$85,618] from the TDM stabilization fund for FY2014.
Draft Budget for Transportation Services
• Jeanette distributed the first draft of the Transportation Services Department
budget for FY 2014.
• There is no specific "Marketing" line item in the Transportation budget. Low -cost
activities such as flyers and schedules are covered under "printing /forms" and
"office supplies"
• Service improvements that require significant additional funding, such as
automatic fare collection, need to be planned and proposed for inclusion in the
budget.
• A future meeting agenda item is to develop list of potential initiatives for funding
in FY2015. Justifications for funding these initiatives in FY2015 need to be
developed by June 2013.
5. Town Report
• A number of minor edits to the Town Report for FY2012 were suggested by Sally.
• TAC members unanimously approved having Sally and Sara finalize the report
(incorporate proposed edits) and submit the finalized report.
6. Draft Resolution from the Town of Lexington to the MBTA
• The MBTA Advisory Board drafted a resolution for consideration by the cities and towns
that are served by the MBTA. It is a call for the Legislature and Governor to address
operating and maintenance issues negatively affecting the state's transportation systems
and infrastructure.
The TAC membership unanimously approved asking the Lexington Board of Selectmen
to send a Resolution to the Legislature and Governor on behalf of the Town of Lexington.
Bill and Sara will revise some of the wording of the Resolution and Bill will write the
cover letter to the Selectmen.
7. Mid -Day Fare Decrease for Seniors and Disabled Passengers
• Jeanette proposed a reduction in fare for Seniors and disabled passengers during the
hours when ridership on the Lexpress buses is low (between 9am and 2pm).
• TAC discussed eliminating the fare (rather than reducing it to $0.25). The TAC members
voted unanimously in agreement with proposing a trial period for this concept (no fare for
Seniors and disabled passengers between 9 and 2) from January through June of 2013.
Ridership data will be collected to see if we can determine the impact of eliminating the
fare.
• Jeanette and Bill will prepare talking points about this proposed program for presentation
to the Selectmen (by the November 26 meeting).
Materials Used at the Meeting: Transportation Forum Handouts, Proposed Revision to the Charge for
TAC, TDM Account Calculations, Draft FY2012 Town Report for TAC, Draft Resolution from the
Town of Lexington re Transportation Infrastructure
Recorder: Peter Levy
2