HomeMy WebLinkAbout2014-11-13-LBAC-min
APPROVED MEETING NOTES
Committee Name: Lexington Bicycle Advisory Committee
Date, Time and Location of Meeting: Thursday, November 13, 2014, Parker Room,
Town Office Building
Members Present:
Peggy Enders, (Chair), Marita Hartshorn, Laurel Carpenter, Bob
Dangel, John Frey, George Gagliardi, Bob Hausslein, Mike Tabaczynski, Richard
Canale (Planning Board Liaison), Sandra Shaw (Recreation Committee Liaison)
Members Absent:
Carolyn Levi
Others Present: Jennifer Melot, Sgt. Paul Callahan, Howard Cloth
October Meeting Notes
: the October notes were approved as amended.
Grain Mill Alley
: Melisa Tintocalis reviewed the design plan for the proposed Grain Mill
Alley project, saying the goals are to improve the vitality of the center and encourage
people to explore, create a gateway to and from the bikeway, and educate users with an
information kiosk. For instance, she said, information about alternative transportation
might be presented there. Three hearings have been held and as a result of the
hearings and survey information, the committee feels that there is no need to emphasize
the history of Lexington but rather to provide a more contemporary and inviting outdoor
space. Melisa has talked with the HDC three times, two informally. There was also a
petition before the CPC. Sandra Shaw a member of the CPC committee questioned the
appropriateness of the expenditure in terms of it not being housing, recreation, or
conservation. She also questioned the estimated cost of $450,000 when there is already
an adjacent park. Members discussed various aspects of the plan, including ways to
make the crossing safer from the Bikeway to the alley space.
Hartwell Ave Roundabout
: Richard Canale said that the Planning Board has not
reviewed the plan in two years. At that time, he said, they favored a bike route along
Hartwell and as of today have not weighed in on the current design. In the meantime
Mass DOT has updated their roundabout evaluation tool; the current design would
probably not pass current guidelines. In a roundabout one lane is safe for cyclists but
two lanes are problematic. Peggy said that John Livsey is arranging a meeting with
Bicycle Committee representatives.
Lexington Bike Flyer
: The committee reviewed and fine-tuned the draft; the Board of
Selectmen will review it next Monday for consideration as part of the spring tax bill
mailing.
Minuteman Bikeway Signage
: Bob Dangel invited members to ride the Bikeway with
him to determine types and locations of signs.
Moving Together Conference
: Jennifer and Laurel attended as well as many staff
people from the town of Lexington. It was mentioned that attendees from a number of
other towns were impressed by Lexington’s progress in improving bicycle
accommodations.
Liaison Reports
:
…Sandra Shaw encouraged members to attend the Open Space and Recreation Plan
workshop as well as to take the survey on the web before the workshop. She said the
CPC will recommend paving the Vinebrook Bike path.
…Richard Canale mentioned he was pleased about Charlie Baker’s appointment of
Chelsea Town Manager Jay Ash to be housing and economic director; Jay was past
president of MAPC. Richard also said that if Mass Ave is not reduced to three lanes that
the Planning Board recommends sharrows be painted in both lanes to convey to drivers
that bikes are vehicles and have the right to be in these lanes. Peggy mentioned that the
town has painted double sharrows at the Bedford/Worthen Road intersection.
Other Business:
…Peggy reported that Dave Pinsonneault will install our Bike Friendly signs at each end
of the bikeway. The Bikeway between Woburn and Seasons Four will be closed for
repairs starting in late November. The Tophet Swamp area on the Bikeway will be
repaired soon; and the Camilla Place culvert will be repaired next spring. The Town has
painted bike boxes on Bedford Street at Revere along with the new bike lanes between
the Bikeway and Worthen Road!
…Laurel Carpenter mentioned that she has distributed a resident-initiated petition for a
sidewalk on Pleasant Street.
… Peggy asked Sgt Callahan whether it would be possible to increase police patrolling
of the Bikeway, on the busy weekends at the very least; Sgt. Callahan replied that there
is no longer the grant money that used to make regular patrols possible. He said that
some of the new officers do not have the COBWEB training (Cops on Bicycles With
Education for Bicyclists, since the program is offered only at some policy academies.
Sgt Callahan said he plans to improve monitoring next summer. Peggy also asked Sgt
Callahan whether a more formal system of reporting accidents – on roadways as well as
on the Bikeway -- involving cyclists could be arranged between the Bicycle Committee
and the Police Department.
The meeting was adjourned at 8:45 pm.
Record of the Discussions of the Friends of Lexington Bikeways
Treasurer’s Report:
We estimated plowing will cost about $4,000 this winter, using
Jimmy McLaughlin once again. The town will open the gates for the season and place
the barrels. We will request permission from the Selectmen to approve signs for
reporting “hazardous conditions” via the Minuteman Bikeway email
(mmbikeway@gmail.com).
We will have our Pot Luck Holiday Party at Bob Hausslein’s house on December 18.
The December LBAC/FoLB meeting is cancelled.
2015 Bike Walk 'n Bus Week
. The week will be set once we know when Bay State
Bike Week is scheduled. Peggy hopes that more committee volunteers will join the
effort.
Marita Hartshorn, Recorder
Peggy Enders, Editor
Upcoming Dates
South Lexington Transportation Final Public Meeting:
Tuesday, November
18;
Open Space and Recreation Plan Public Forum:
Thursday, November 20
Bike Committee Potluck, .
Thursday, December 18, 7 pm
LBAC/FoLB meeting:
Thursday, January 8, 7 pm, Cary Memorial Library Small
Meeting Room