HomeMy WebLinkAbout2013-01-10-LBAC-min,S US Mop
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APPROVED MEETING MINUTES
Committee Name: Lexington Bicycle Advisory Committee
Date, Time and Location of Meeting: January 10, 2013, 7 pm, Room G15,
Town Office Building
Members Present: Peggy Enders, (Chair), Bob Hausslein (FoLB Chair), Stew
Kennedy, John Frey, Marita Hartshorn, George Gagliardi, Mike Tabaczynski,
Patria Lanfranchi, Bob Dangel, Sandra Shaw (Recreation Liaison), Richard Canale
(Planning Board Liaison)
Others Present: Laurel Carpenter, Rohi Sukhia, Dick Brown
Minutes: The November 2012 minutes were accepted as submitted.
Winter Plowing: The Bikeway was plowed on New Year's Day.
December Transportation Forum: Laurel, Stew, and Peggy attended the winter
forum. The purpose of these meetings is to coordinate information among various
town committees and departments that are involved with some aspect of
transportation. Traffic issues and intersection plans for Mass Ave in East
Lexington were discussed. Bedford Street between the Battle Green and the area
beyond the Bikeway will be torn up for work on the water main beginning some
time in May, opening up the possibility for improving bicycle accommodation along
Bedford Street once it is repaved. Sections of the Bikeway will be repaved next
summer. Traffic safety was also discussed at the meeting, including the
information form that residents can fill out to register a concern or complaint.
Laurel said that there is no acknowledgement loop when such a form is filled out,
which is likely frustrating for citizens.
Mass Ave Corridor Workshop: The committee may ask Dave Cannon to talk
about options for the East Lexington traffic improvement program at the future
meeting.
Bike -Walk -Bus Week in Lexington: Peggy confirmed that Lexington will host a
Bike /Walk/Bus week from May 5 to May 11. Staff in the Planning and Human
Services department are involved. Patria, Bob Hausslein, Bob Dangel, Peggy,
and Stew will form a subcommittee to plan a few rides for various cycling abilities.
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In a discussion about the proposal for this year's Bike Corral and Parklet, the
committee voted to request that the opening day of the Corral be in time for
Patriot's Day.
Parker Meadow Accessibility: Stew reported that a citizen has requested to
Conservation that Parker Meadow bridge and boardwalk off the Bikeway be made
handicapped accessible. The Conservation Stewards are discussing this and are
folding the plan into a Notice of Intent being prepared for the structure.
DCR Bikeway Map and Design Status: Peggy will e -mail us when the next
version of the bike map becomes available. Toole Design group received 920
completed surveys from individuals responding to questions about bike path
problems and ideas for improvements. They are also factoring in the inventory
information gathered by bike committee volunteers before making their
recommendations.
Liaison Reports:
Recreation: The Recreation Department is hosting focus group meetings to
gather input on the town's recreation program and possible improvements.
Planning:
Richard Canale talked about a meeting on transportation policy that he
attended with a number of town staff and committee. Project priorities
included: the Mass Avenue Scenic Byway; Hartwell Avenue (may be
funded through Town Meeting); and the Minuteman Connector.
There is legislation in the works to identify Complete Street communities
much as is now done for Green Communities. Richard said that there was
enthusiasm for the idea of Lexington applying for such a designation.
Shade Street has recently been resurfaced. The neighbors would like to
have "bicycle advisory lanes" painted on the street. Such lanes are dotted
lines painted 2 feet from the curb with sharrows in the travel lane and no
center line. Cars may cross the dotted lines when bikes are not present.
Advisory Bicycle Lanes are common in Europe but not here, but Lexington
might consider Shade Street as an experiment.
Rohi Suhkia, a resident living on Brandon Street, talked with the committee about
plowing the Bikeway to make it possible for skiers to continue to use it after it is
plowed. He suggested that the plow deposit all the snow on one side of the bike
path, preserving the opposite side for cross - country skiing. He suggested poles or
signs to mark the ski boundary and that the pilot be between Bow Street and
Maple Street.
The meeting was adjourned at 8:00 p.m.
Record of Discussions of the Friends of Lexington Bikeways
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Treasurer's Report: The treasurer reported donations in the amount of $260.
Garfield Street Access Project: The project has been okayed by the
Conservation Division. Bob Hausslein said the project needs a scout to remove
the PVC pipe at the Garfield Street access point and construct a wooden bridge.
Bikeway Steps to the Town Offices Project: Bob Hausslein said that a Boy
Scout is willing to construct steps from the bike path to the town office building and
that he is waiting for the scout's proposal. We would need to have part of the
guardrail removed. Mike proposed constructing a channel that allows bikes to be
guided down beside the steps.
Community Conversation Sponsorship: The LWV Community Conversation on
February 26 is on Lexington's adaptation to the effects of climate change.
Members voted to donate $50 and become a co- sponsor.
Green Routes Coalition Meeting: Laurel attended a MAPC workshop on Green
Routes. The purpose of the workshop was to share information with other
communities.
Patriot's Day: Marita said the FoLB is approved to march in the Patriot's Day
Parade in partnership with the Conservation Stewards. We propose driving the
tractor, which will pull a trailer and also use the Conservation Commission truck.
Bob Hausslein will buy 20 more reflective FoLB work vests.
Other Business: Peggy thinks that Lexington should apply for designation as a
Bicycle Friendly Community (League of American Bicyclists) and may put together
the application.
The meeting adjourned at 8:30 pm. The next meeting is scheduled for Thursday,
February 14, at 7 pm.
Recorder: Marita Hartshorn
Editor: Peggy Enders