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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2018-01-18-HATS-min Hanscom Are Towns Committee DRAFT Meeting Minutes January 18, 2018 Attending: HATS Selectmen: Suzie Barry, Lexington, Jonathan Dwyer, Lincoln, Steven Ng, Concord, Mike Rosenberg, chair, Bedford Other HATS members. Cindy Barbehenn, Bedford Planning Board,Peter Braun, Lincoln, Margaret Coppe, Lexington. Others in attendance: Jessica Casserly, Public Affairs, Hanscom Air Force Base; Stephanie Cronn, executive direct, Middlesex 3 Coalition; B.J. Dunn, superintendent, Minute Man National Park; Alison Felix, Metropoli- tan Area Planning Council, Anthony Gallagher, community relations, Massachusetts Port Authority; David Ku- charsky, Lexington assistant planning director, Marcia Rasmussen, Concord planning director, Scott Sheehan, environmental engineer, Hanscom AFB. Local and regional transportation round table: Ms. Felix said among MAPC's areas for consideration are autonomous vehicles and transportation network companies The council hosted a workshop on autonomous vehicles and is anticipating testing in the metropolitan area. She also mentioned MAPC programs that can up- grade technologies on municipal fleets, including hybrid vehicles, anti-idling, fuel efficiency and charging sta- tions In answer to a question, she said initially autonomous vehicles are expected to be shared and not managed by individual owners. Ms. Cronin said Middlesex 3 is a regional economic development organization with nine participating munici- palities and some 90 businesses, as well as hospital and educational institutions. Middlesex 3 addresses business development concerns, and transportation is largest The group is working on transportation management asso- ciations, carpools, shuttles and emergency rides home. Ms. Cronin pointed out the demand for getting workers from the Lowell labor pool to job opportunities in the southern part of the region. Middlesex 3 is exploring short-, medium- and long-term goals to improve transportation in the corridor "We can't rely on the state to solve all of our problems," she said. Mr. Sheehan noted that Hanscom Air Force Base is centrally located but poorly served by public transportation. Employees number around 12,000 A vanpool program originally was abetted by stated, federal and MIT subsi- dies, making it virtually free for employees. The number of vanpools peaked at 52, saving hundreds of vehicle trips on Routes 4-225 and 128. The goal was 100 by the end of 2017, and the office was working with the Bed- ford VA Hospital and the Army Corps of Engineers in Concord to set up programs. In the summer of 2016 the state subsidy ended and the vanpool number dropped by 60 percent Now about half of the federal workforce is on flex time, working nine days over two weeks. The base is also encouraging ways to work from outside the installation Mr Rosenberg called for the return of the state subsidy Mr Kucharsky cited the growth of the Hartwell Avenue shuttle service sponsored by the Route 128 Business Council. There are efforts to fill the two empty buses when they return to Lexington Center from Alewife Sta- tion. A recent community compact grant will foster sharing of transportation services as well as local improve- ments. The MBTA and the own are assessing the impact of proposed bus stop reductions. He noted that the mu- nicipal transportation safety group meets monthly. Ms. Olson noted that Bedford has finished executing a state Safe Routes to School infrastructure grant and Community Health Network Alliance planning grant. A community survey indicated priorities of mitigating traffic congestion and increasing transportation options The response was a pedestrian and bicycle master plan Ms. Olson also described DASH, the town's 16-month-old pilot transportation project. It features door-to-door shuttle service, a particular benefit to residents worried about aging in place. There are also regular trips to con- tiguous towns Demand incudes passengers going to medical appointments and young people Ms. Rasmussen mentioned progress on the Bruce Freeman Rail Trail. She said the town's comprehensive long- range planning process focuses on how to require attaching to the Cross Town Connect transportation manage- ment system. It is now serving a new development in West Concord.Another priority is connecting neighbor- hoods through village centers and to the MBTA. Cross Town Connect serves seven communities in the Route 495 corridor It is primarily for commuters,but during the day it is used by young people for transport to activi- ties or jobs. Mr. Braun asked about the trend of a younger workforce and its priorities. Mr. Kucharsky acknowledged that the corporate office park format is not as appealing to younger workers. The Hartwell Avenue environment could be reinvented Ms Rasmussen noted that new businesses are locating in West Concord in proximity to the commuter rail station. Ms. Felix said the MAPC advocates maximizing mixed use around stations. Residential density can eliminate the need of owning a car, Ms. Coppe said. Ms. Felix said Uber and Lyft are becoming ubiquitous and MAPC is looking into dockless bicycle sharing programs,based on Hubway's success Mr. Braun asked how the younger demographic will change the area's life style patterns. Mr. Ng said this may call for creative thinking Selectman Rosenberg said the communities will continue to be popular with families as long as public education is high priority.Selectman Ng asked if autonomous could serve as a distraction to regional transportation initiatives It was noted that some studies have shown that these vehicles will exacerbate traffic congestion. Ms. Felix said there are pros and cons,but this is the time government has to shape its future landscape Municipal highlidhts:Selectman Rosenberg reported that a consultant for the Bedford selectmen recommended that Old Town Hall is the best choice for a town museum. Selectman Ng said three or four petitioner articles are expected on the Concord town meeting warrant. Selectman Barry said the 47 Lexington town meeting articles include 10 from petitioners She added that four candidates have secured nominating petitions for state repre- sentative. The incumbent, Jay Kaufman, is not seeking re-election. She also said signalization of Hartwell Ave- nue and Maguire Road will be delated because the Air Force needs to reinforce the sewer main under Hartwell. Selectman Dwyer said Lincoln town meeting preparation continues, focusing on construction of a new school and community center. Mr. Gallagher noted that the Massport Community Advisory Council is seeking a funding increase It also ap- proved an aircraft routing study for Logan International Airport Ms Casserly said Hanscom Air Force Base will be hosting emergency scenario exercises through Feb. 9. The next meeting, on Feb. 22 or March 1, will focus on municipal and regional energy sustainability efforts. Mr. Gallagher said Dr. Thomas Glynn, Massport chief executive officer, is planning to present at the May HATS meeting The minutes of the Nov 30, 2017 meeting were approved, 4-0 The meeting was adjourned at 9:09 p.m.