HomeMy WebLinkAbout2022-03-08-TAC-min
Transportation Advisory Committee
Minutes for the meeting of Tuesday, March 8, 2022
Members Present: Vinita Verma, Chair, Sara Arnold, Andra Bennett, Sally Castleman, Elaine
Dratch Absent: Pam Lyons, Co-Chair
Liaisons: Joe Pato, Select Board, Melanie Thompson, Planning Board, Susan Barrett,
Transportation Manager Absent: Sudhir Jain, COA, Shefali Verma, Student Representative
This meeting was held on Zoom pursuant to Massachusetts Chapter 20 of the Acts of 2021.
Committee Chair Vinita Verma called the meeting to order at 7:00.
** Assistant Town Manager for Finance, Carolyn Kosnoff, attended the start of the meeting to
bring TAC up-to-date on the TDM fund and the TDM process. Ms Kosnoff entertained
questions and discussion, as well as welcoming any additional/future questions or suggestions.
The status of some of the earliest agreements was discussed but not resolved.
** Andra Bennett expressed concerns about what happens if regional plans don't solve or even
help. As well, how do we improve youth ridership in town? The Comprehensive Plan also
targets transportation but what are the milestones we might be tracking?
Susan Barrett responded that it's very frustrating that things take so long but she now has a
better understanding of why: there are so many services and so many places and it’s very
difficult to even know them all, let alone coordinate them. A great many people in Lexington
want to travel outside Lexington and once an hour service is not frequent enough; regional
projects offer partners that could help offer more service and more connectivity. However,
there are lots of players, lots of politics, and not lots of money! Transportation funds usually go
to roads or one time costs. Funds for annual operating costs are limited. So, Susan continued, a
possible resource for other funding is to partner with other communities and, if possible, with
private players as well.
** Update on transportation services.
- Other communities have been calling for information about running Lexpress-type
service. Ms Barrett has recently received inquiries from Arlington, Concord, and even Winchester
about restarting such a service. Even Brighton is considering an in-town service.
- Regionalization is being talked about on many levels, for more efficiency and less
money, but entails many internal meetings and external meetings to keep everybody updated
on everything.
- Lexpress ridership continues to go up as COVID numbers go down, but there is still a
driver shortage. Masks are still required on all public transportation. New GPS systems are
being installed on all vehicles because of 5G. A new video has been completed about how to
ride Lexpress. “The Riders of Lexpress” series continues on Twitter and Instagram.
- Slowly things are moving forward on a bus shelter. There is a $12,000 model that looks
promising, and the Town Manager asked TSG for the funds. Ms Barrett has been talking with
the landscaper.
- Reduction of MBTA fares is going into effect for people needing financial assistance.
The T would like to make further fare cuts as well as enhance bus service, but it needs to find
other sources of funding.
- Lexington’s new Comprehensive Plan draft is finally out – and feedback is needed by
March 11th. TAC members should give comments to Susan to pass on.
** Minutes The minutes from the February meeting were approved. Roll-call VOTE: 5-0
** Development There are two new building projects that are going through the permitting
process to be considered at Town Meeting: 475 Bedford St and 95 Hayden Avenue and 128
Spring Street (also referred as 99 Hayden Avenue). TAC discussed how it can be included in
the process because agreements with developers sometimes include transportation
commitments made by the Town – and sometimes TAC needs to confirm that these
commitments can be fulfilled. Mr. Pato suggested that we give our overall policy suggestions to
the Select Board, informing them of what we think would be useful in MOUs with developers
going forward. He also suggested that we look at the 1050 Waltham St. MOU and compare it
to the two new ones; 1050 is being used by the Town as a sort of template.
** Planning Board Report Planning Board liaison Melanie Thompson reported that there's a
public hearing Wednesday evening at 6:00 PM about 475 Bedford St, and at the same meeting
the Select Board will be speaking with the Planning Board about the MBTA community vis-a-vis
housing.
** Next Meeting The next meeting is scheduled for April 12nd.
The meeting was adjourned at 8:45.