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