HomeMy WebLinkAbout2017-03-09 LBAC-min
APPROVED MEETING MINUTES
Lexington Bicycle Advisory Committee
Thursday, March 9, 7 pm, Room 221, Lexington Community Center
Members Present: Peggy Enders (chair), Laurel Carpenter, John Frey, Bob Dangel, Jennifer
Melot, Carolyn Levi, Richard Canale (Planning Board Liaison), Sandra Shaw (Recreation
Committee Liaison)
Members Absent: Mike Tabaczynski, George Gagliardi, Bob Hausslein
The January 2017 meeting minutes were approved as submitted. Bob Dangel again
volunteered to take meeting minutes. (A regular scribe is needed now that Marita is no longer
on LBAC.)
Minuteman Bikeway Signage (update): Peggy said that David Kucharsky would be
presenting on March 13 to the Board of Selectmen the current plan for signage. A meeting
with town staff about kiosks and interpretive signage is scheduled on March 14; Peggy will
attend that meeting.
FY ’18 Budget:The Program Improvement request from the DPW for bike pavement
markings was approved by the Board of Selectmen and will proceed to Town Meeting for a
vote. Peggy said that since so many residents don’t seem to know what sharrows mean, she
hopes some signage (e.g., “Bikes May Take Full Lane”) might accompany the new markings.
Speed Limits in Lexington:Peggy mentioned that the Transportation Safety Group plans to
recommend to the BoS that the Town adopt a universal regulatory speed limit of 25 mph, as
many other towns are doing. This local change would not affect statutory posted limits on
state roads in town. The Committee discussed the actual benefit of speed limits versus other
ways (and the need) to calm traffic, including painting double yellow lines on residential streets
(and the value of side fog lines).
Spencer Street Access to Bikeway: Peggy said that she had been in touch again with
various town staff, but there remains a problem with the closure of the Spencer Street access
point. There had been some talk about an access point at the other end of Spencer Street.
Neighbors have been complaining about increasing cut-throughs.
Minuteman Bikeway: proposed access ramp from Maple Street:The Committee
reviewed a letter to the DPW drafted by Bob Dangel describing the Committee’s position with
respect to the changes appearing in the 100% design plan for the new Maple Street ramp.
The Committee also reviewed the on-site meeting with Dave Cannon where concerns were
raised about the trees along the ramp, the bench and sign location, and a possible curb cut on
the sidewalk. Bob will prepare a second draft of the memo. Some members remain
concerned about the proposed guardrail (i.e., is it really needed). There was a brief
discussion regarding some continuing concerns about the East Mass Ave Corridor Project and
whether bicycle lanes will be given sufficient width from parked cars in the sections where the
roadway is narrow.
Support for Lincoln Street sidewalk and bike accommodations: The Committee agreed
that it supports such projects on principle but declined to endorse any one sidewalk proposal
over another.
Minuteman Bikeway Extension Support: The Committee agreed that Peggy could submit a
letter to MassDOT expressing LBAC enthusiasm for the proposed extension to Concord.
The meeting was adjourned.
Record of the Discussions of FoLB/BikeLexington:
The Treasurer’s Report was given.
Snow Plowing: February was a busy month for the plows.
Bike Safety Flyer and Tax Bill: The Friends approved support for printing the Bike Flyer to
be mailed at the end of March along with the tax bill. There were some concerns about the
draft version.
Bike Walk ‘n Bus Week:Peggy said that Patrick Bibbins has found a co-leader to help with
Bike Smart on May 13; volunteers are needed to help the leaders. The proposed forum on
bicycling needs someone to organize it; the group said they hoped this would be a “public
statement” on bicycling and the need for the town to step up and take ownership of some of
the key issues.
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25 Anniversary of the Bikeway: Peggy said she had been in touch with the Town Manager
and the BoS chair in February to inform the Town about Arlington’s plans for a number of
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events to celebrate the 25 anniversary of the opening of the Bikeway. She asked whether
Lexington wanted to charge a committee similar to the one that is working in Arlington and has
town staff support.
Recorder: Bob Dangel; Editor: Peggy Enders