HomeMy WebLinkAbout2023-06-13-TAC-minJune 13,2023 Minutes
Transportation Advisory Committee
Town of Lexington
Location:Regarding the Open Meeting Law,the meeting was held remotely pursuant to
Chapter 22 of the Acts of 2023 which include an extension until March 31,2025 of Governor
Healey's March 29,2023 executive order.The Zoom teleconferencing session was open to the
public.
Scheduled time:5pm
Members Present:Vinita Verma (chair),Pamela Lyons (co-chair)(joined 5:20pm),Kunal Botla,
Sally Castleman,Elaine Dratch,Mark Andersen,Jonathan Schwarz.
A quorum was present throughout the meeting.
Members Absent:
Liaisons Present:Sudhir Jain,Council on Aging;Nishanth Veeragandham,Student Liaison.
Liaisons Absent:Susan Barrett,Town Transportation Manager;Melanie Thompson,Planning
Board;Suzie Barry,Select Board.
Others Present:Joe Pato,Select Board.
Vinita Verma reviewed the authorization for meeting remotely and noted that the meeting was
being called to order at 5:03 pm.
Vinita Verma confirmed attendance by roll call.
Public Comment
There were no public comments from Susan Barrett.
Kunal Botla mentioned comments received personally about being excited for the $20 pass to
go on sale.
Minutes
Approval of May meeting minutes was postponed to the next minute to make additional
revisions.
Analyze Strategies for Marketing Lexpress,With The New Proposed $20 Annual Pass
Vinita Verma acknowledged Mark Andersen and Kunal Botla’s presentation to the Select
Board.
Sally Castleman presented the currently discussed marketing methods.
Vinita Verma asked about funding and financing of marketing materials.Kunal mentioned that
Susan Barrett and the Select Board seemed to have discussed funding for marketing materials.
Kunal Botla suggested a press release and coverage to convert to sales.
Sally Castleman and Elaine Dratch discussed making the tone of the marketing positive.
Kunal asked if there was anything to market as the primary method.
Pam Lyons mentioned making highlights about destinations through the Town’s weekly
newsletter.Pam mentioned her personal anecdotes about using Lexpress.Lahey Lexington
was noted as a close deviation.
Mark Andersen mentioned the idea of lawn signs,but noted that hosting lawn signs on Mass.
Ave.and other areas that don’t currently have Lexpress service,but potentially could.
Pam mentioned acting like a rep to other committees and groups.
Nishi mentioned using student groups,design contexts,and marketing to students.
Kunal Botla mentioned building a volunteer network for door knocking.
Elaine mentioned delegating and assigning specific tasks.
Pam mentioned that Susan presented ideas to the board and seems to have ideas and
methods to take with the marketing.
Discuss Data Collection Plans For $20 Annual Pass
Sally and Vinita talked about what data should be included and noted that Susan Barrett will
collect the data that’s relevant.
Mark mentioned data being presented to the Committee and how it can be shared with the
committee.Data being shared by street name was considered to be generally acceptable.
Sally mentioned that occupation and age may be good data to include.A motion was made
“that we request the following data be shared with the TAC 1.street name,day of purchase,
and count.2.Aggregate information about ages of people buying,independent of where they
live.3.The planned use of passes in aggregate independent of where they live.”It was
seconded and passed.
Review Format/Initial Setup To Sell $20 Annual Pass
Kunal Botla presented his design for a sticker.Committee members had positive feedback.
Kunal mentioned Susan’s plan to order keychains.People without cards to place a sticker on
were discussed,but a blank CharlieCard or other card was suggested as options.Jain
supported stickers.
Setting a meeting with Susan was mentioned by Vinita Verma.
Elaine mentioned taking a vote in support of stickers and Kunal’s design.Recommend a sticker
as designed by Kunal Botla.Moved a motion all in favor.
Updates on Ad Hoc Transportation Committee &Bike/Ped Plan Advisory Group
The Committee has continued to discuss Lexington transportation and Lexpress.Members are
still discussing methods and transportation options and timeline for recommendations.
Many other similar systems don’t have a or as large a vehicle cost.
Liaison Updates
●Council on Aging,Sudhir Jain:Meeting this morning to discuss the draft senior
parking proposal to the Select Board.Letters of recommendation have been collected
from multiple community groups.
○Pam mentioned the Center Committee’s recommendation acknowledging the
program.
●Students,Nishi:A push is being made towards improving Muzzey St.and getting more
of the word out to students.Car free campus day was noted as a success with the
table,but didn’t have much mode shift.
●Planning Board,Melanie Thompson:Melanie Thompson was not present.
●Select Board,Suzie Barry:Suzie Barry was not present.
Future Meetings
July 11,2023 was set as the next meeting.
Adjournment
The meeting adjourned at 6:42 pm.
Respectfully submitted,
Kunal Botla