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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2021-08-24-TAC-min TRANSPORTATION ADVISORY COMMITTEE Minutes of the August 24, 2021 Meeting Upon notice duly given, a meeting of the Transportation Advisory Committee (TAC) of the Town of Lexington was held on August 24, 2021 via video conference. Committee Attendees: Sara Arnold, Andra Bennett, Sally Castleman, Elaine Dratch, Pamela Lyons, Co-Chair, Nagarjuna Venna , Vinita Verma, Co-Chair Liaisons and Town Staff: Susan Barrett (Transportation Manager), Melanie Thompson (Planning Board), Joe Pato (Selectboard), Sudhir Jain (Council on Aging), Shefali Verma (Student Rep) The meeting was called to order at 7:00 PM. All attendees attended via video conference and it was verified that each person could hear and be heard by each other attendee. The minutes of July 13,2021 were read and accepted. Ms. Castleman commented that she would like to see more detail in the minutes. Pam Lyons reported that the Zoning Board of Appeals (ZBA) turned down the trequest submitted by the developer of 201 Spring St. to stop Transportation Demand Management (TDM) reporting. The ZBA said that they did not have jurisdiction over the TDM process. A discussion ensued about how the Town is using the TDM reports. Is the data being collected as required? Is anyone in the Town reading and analyzing the data? Is feedback being given to the developers? Is anyone enforcing the requirements? Ms. Barrett explained that the Planning Board (PB) and Assistant Town Planner, Sheila Page want to concentrate on the Hartwell Ave. overlay proposal, which was turned down by the Town Meeting. Ms. Barrett said that a larger, structural change was needed to the TDM plan. Ms. Bennett said that this is an opportunity for TAC to educate the PB on TDM. Ms. Thompson will suggest to the PB and Director Amanda Loomis, that TAC give a short presentation about TDM, aiming for before Sept 1. Prior to that, the PB members will receive a copy of the 1998 TDM plan. Ms. Castleman will present. Bus Shelter on Depot Square: Pam Lyons presented her work on this. It is being prompted by the expected move of the MBTA bus stop. It was not originally incorporated into the Streetscape plan, but it is hoped that it can be done. John Livsey, Engineering director says that it is doable, since the project is still open. Approval by two Town Committees is essential- Selectboard and Historic Districts Commission (HDC). Ms. Lyons then presented a design which she felt would be acceptable to the HDC: Midsize, Glass sides, bench, Hip Roof. Cost- about $6200. Funds can come from a number of sources and probably does not require Town Meeting Action. She stated that this shelter comes at the intersection of Climate Change and Social Justice. Lexington High School (LHS) Transportation Survey. Shefali Verma, TAC student Rep presented her draft survey for LHS students. She is hoping to distribute the survey during the second week of school. TAC members offered suggestions on clarification of some of the questions. More discussion revolved around whether it was possible to identify where the respondents lived, but maintain their privacy and ability to quantify responses. Ms. Arnold moved to support the survey, with the suggested edits. Ms. Verma will distribute the survey with the edits. Additional feedback must come from individuals, not as a TAC group, and be consistent with comments made at the meeting so as to comply with open meeting laws. Motion was approved with unanimous support. Liaison Reports. Sudhir Jain, COA liaison reported that Seniors are very appreciative of Transportation Manager Susan Barrett's efforts for helping the seniors. If anybody needs Transport, call her and she solves the problem. Sometimes if seniors are unable to walk a long distance to ride Lexpress, call her and she even deviates the route of Lexpress. Free Parking program for the seniors in Lexington will begin in October. Updates, presented by Ms. Barrett: MBTA Bus Network redesign Meeting- August 25 MBIA- did not add back the "76" /route. The 62/76 Routes will remain combined but the frequency has increased. There is a Lexpresss article in the Colonial Times Mass DOT is funding the Mobility Management Project to educate people about Lexpress. It can be used for a possible video, marketing and outreach. The Town is doing a test of Online Payment Parking. Parking can be paid by phone. There will be no staff at the Kiosk. An APP can be used to pay. The Selectboard has set a goal of downsizing vehicles for fuel economy and efficiency. The does not necessarily apply to Lexpress where larger vehicles may help reduce use of SOVs. Ms. Verma asked again that TAC members volunteer to serve as a liaison with other committees. We would not need to attend every meeting-just keep apprised of issues affecting transportation. Next meeting- September 14, 2021 at 7 PM. Adjourn 9 PM Respectfully submitted, Elaine Dratch. Materials used: Agenda Draft Survey prepared by Shefali Verma Pictures of Bus Shelters.