HomeMy WebLinkAbout2017-04-04-TAC-min
Transportation Advisory Committee Minutes
April 4, 2017
Lexington Community Center
Members present: Sara Arnold; Sally Castleman; Elaine Dratch; Hank Manz, Co-Chair
Members absent: Bill Levison, Co-Chair; Susan Barrett; Su Shen
Staff: Charlotte Rodgers, Human Services Director; Jeanette Rebecchi, Transportation
Manager; David Kucharsky, Assistant Planning Director
Liaisons: Nancy Adler, Council On Aging; Michelle Ciccolo, Board of Selectmen
Visitors: Laurel Carpenter, member of the Bicycle Advisory Committee; Francine Stieglitz
member of the Commission On Disability; Philip Groth, MBTA
The meeting was called to order at 7:20 PM when a fourth member of the committee arrived.
Minutes:The minutes of the March 13, 2017 meeting were approved by unanimous vote of
those present. Vote: 4-0-0.
MBTA bus stop evaluation: Using large detailed maps showing all stops in Lexington, stops
suggested for elimination by the MBTA, and changes already suggested by the Town, as well
as that same map projected, along with the draft memorandum detailing the Town response to
the MBTA, each stop in the removal memorandum was presented by Jeanette Rebecchi and
David Kucharsky. It was noted before the discussion began that the survey of bus stops is
being done system-wide. It was also noted by David that he will be making other presentations
including one at the meeting this week of the Commission On Disability. The suggestions for
changes at this meeting were:
There was a general feeling that all stops should be retained until improvements mentioned in
the draft memorandum are actually made.
There was questioning about why so many inbound stops on Wood Street were closed. It was
pointed out that there is no sidewalk on that side of the street and that the stops were
problematic with respect to safety. The MBTA representative suggested that one way to avoid
having to cross the street was to wait on the safer outbound side, pick up the bus and then ride
it the very short distance through the Lincoln Lab stop and return. This would work Monday
through Friday, but not on Saturday. One person felt that riders would be unlikely to ride the
wrong way even for a short distance.
Consider keeping Old Mass Ave at Bonair Avenue.
Keep Bedford Street outbound at National Guard at least until improvements are made and the
question of having to cross the Jughandle without protection is answered. Exactly how the
intersection will be improved and made safer was questioned with the crossing of the Jughandle
of particular concern. It was not clear to the group how that crossing could be made safe.
For Watertown Street opposite Pleasant Street, a suggestion was made to move the outbound
stop closer to Mason and eliminate the opposite Luongo Farm stop.
That the Winter Street outbound stop should be retained even if the inbound stop is removed
since that stop serves the neighborhoods around that stop. It was agreed that the inbound stop
could be replaced by the nearby stop at the medical center, but on the outbound side, the
concerns about crossing the Jughandle and the somewhat convoluted path to that stop would
present a danger to riders.
Given the time crunch, the Committee approved the sense of the draft memorandum
unanimously with the understanding that there may be some changes, based on information
from this and other meetings, before it is actually sent. Vote: 4-0-0.
MBTA representative: Philip Groth informed the committee about service plan updates.
Pending final approval from management, a system-wide process may start as early as 2018 to
solicit feedback from the public. He also mentioned that the MBTA may be able to contribute to
the funding of some improvements for bus stops and other amenities. In response to a question
he said that he did not yet know what level of response there had been from the signs posted at
each of the bus stops which might be eliminated. In response to another question he said that
the MBTA is aware of Lexpress.
Ride Premium Service Area: The service is being studied by the Fiscal Management Control
Board. Not much amplifying information is available at this time. According to Philip Groth,
there has been a great deal of pushback on the initial word that the service might be eliminated.
A letter to the MBTA concerning the Ride, with support for continuation of the service, will be
drafted by Jeanette.
Other Business: It was suggested by Sara Arnold that Jeanette Rebecchi and David
Kucharsky be thanked for their very quick and very thorough response to the MBTA letter. Hank
Manz said that he had written such a letter to Charlotte Rodgers, Aaron Henry, and Carl Valente
immediately after the last meeting and would share it with the Committee at the next meeting.
Jeanette Rebecchi requested that the next meeting of TAC be moved one week to May 15,
2017.
Jeanette also requested help with the Middle School Learn Lexpress Event, a program to
teach middle school students how to ride the Lexpress bus. It will be held on Wednesday, May
17, 2017 from 3-5 PM.
The meeting was adjourned at 8:40 PM.
Materials presented at the meeting:
Agenda
Map showing all bus stops in Lexington with those to be eliminated, plus suggested
changes to that plan by Lexington, highlighted
Middle School Learn Lexpress Event flyer (draft)
Approved ______________________