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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2015-11-12-LBAC-min APPROVED MEETING MINUTES Committee Name: Lexington Bicycle Advisory Committee Date, Time and Location of Meeting: November 12, 2015, 7 pm, Cary Library Members Present : Peggy Enders (Chair), Marita Hartshorn, Bob Dangel, Laurel Carpenter, John Frey, Mike Tabaczynski, Bob Hausslein (FoLB Chair), Sandra Shaw (Recreation Liaison), Richard Canale (Planning Board Liaison) Members Absent : Carolyn Levi, George Gagliardi Others Present : Jennifer Melot, Tom Fortmann, Sgt Paul Callahan (Police Liaison) Committee Photo for Town Report : David Tabeling took a Committee picture on the stairs of the Community Center. Review October Meeting Minutes: The notes were approved as submitted. Arterial Bike Accommodations: Peggy reported that the DPW plans to paint sharrows on Hill and the rest of Massachusetts Avenue near Wood Street before winter. She was told that Concord Ave will be marked in the spring. The repaved section of Waltham Street did not get bike accommodations; only shoulder lines have been painted, although the Committee had requested sharrows and, where possible, bike lanes. Peggy reported that the DPW intends to request a sum in their upcoming budget to provide for new accommodations and to maintain existing ones. Laurel Carpenter stated that the Town should have a transparent process for providing for bicycle accommodations as part of their paving plan. Bob Dangel thought it important to expect the entire bike-marking plan be approved as part of that process, saying that the Committee provided the bicycle network information and recommendations requested by John Livsey several years ago, but was never formally involved after that. Richard Canale noted that our town engineers were present at the Moving Together conference. Master Plan for Bikeway Signage : Sandra Shaw and Richard Canale reported that the CPC approved the request from the Town for Bikeway wayfinding signs and kiosks based on the plan provided by the Toole Design Group. Peggy said that the Committee will be involved at some point to review the plan. East Mass Ave project hearing : Peggy and Laurel each read a statement at the hearing in late October. Tom Fortmann, who opposes the proposed traffic lights on the Mass Ave corridor, brought us up to date on the Battle Road Friends’ support for roundabouts. He and Peter Kelley have hired a consultant to study the proposals, saying that their consultant is optimistic that single lane roundabouts are feasible. The Town has hired the Kittelson group to adjudicate the various positions on roundabouts. Tom urged the Committee to further consider whether bike lanes on Mass Ave should be endorsed, and asked for time on the February meeting agenda to make his case against bike lanes. Moving Together Conference: Jennifer and Laurel reported on the sessions they attended, including one on the Cophenhagen Wheel, one on accident prevention and road design, another on “Park and Pedal” , a program where parking places are reserved for commuting cyclists. A member suggested that a good site would be Hartwell Ave. next to the bike path. Laurel also attended a session on Complete Streets, noting that Waltham is moving forward on steps to becoming certified in order to qualify for state money for implementation. At the time the bar is quite high and may be relaxed so towns can get partial money toward this goal. The Committee agreed that the Town’s first complete street priority should be Lexington Center. Bike Crash Data from TransportationSafety Group : Peggy distributed Town bike crash incidence data assembled by David Kucharsky. The traffic accident report form that the State provides has no check-box for bicycles and at the present time the Town does not log accidents not involving cars, but the Town is in the process of changing its practices. Liaison Reports : Richard Canale said that, at Peggy’s suggestion, TSG is exploring requiring truck side guards on Municipal vehicles and trash removal trucks; the towns of Arlington and Bedford are working on this, as well. He talked about the serious accident on Mass. Ave. in front of Cary Library that stimulated discussion about the location of the crosswalk at this wide span of road. Possible solutions would be bump outs, pedestrian crossing beacons, narrower streets and refuge islands. Sandra Shaw said the CPC approved the purchase of bike racks requested by the Recreation Department for some of the neighborhood parks. The meeting was adjourned at 8:20 PM. Record of the Discussions of the Friends of Lexington Bikeways The Treasurer’s Report was given. Bikeway plowing fund raising, 2014-15 damage, etc : Bob reported that last year plowing costs were approximately $10,000; fund raising will begin in December. The Friends were praised for the timely and thorough plowing efforts last year; the bike path turned out to be one of the only safe areas to walk due to the very large amount of snow. To stimulate fund raising Peggy will use the @bikeminman Twitter, the Friends’ Facebook, and the Bike Lexington newsgroup, and Bob will purchase some new, more substantial signs. Peggy reported that last year the plow did some damage to the guardrails, and the Town has asked her and Bob to record the damage. Mike said it is time to reevaluate the location and purpose of some of the guardrails. Peggy expressed frustration that it is hard to communicate directly with the plowing contractor and will discuss that problem with Peter Kelley. Bikeway access at Munroe Cemetery : Mike and Bob Hausslein met with Karen Mullins to determine the location of the access point. The exact point is yet to be decided. Holiday Potluck: Bob and Evelyn Hausslein have graciously agreed to host. Peggy ad th Marita will work on details and invitations. Time: 6:30 on Dec. 10 . Other Business : Jennifer and Nicole Waxmonsky will offer a session on winter cycling at the Lexington Community Center.Topics will include dress and equipment. Peggy said that she hoped our January meeting could focus on the goals of the Friends of Lexington Bikeways, including volunteers to help with stewardship and education programs. The meeting was adjourned at 8:40 PM. Marita Hartshorn, Recorder Peggy Enders, Editor Upcoming Dates No LBAC/FoLB meeting in December Holiday Potluck, Thursday, December 10 Next LBAC/FoLB meeting: Thursday, January 14, 2016