HomeMy WebLinkAbout2024-04-16-TAC-min
Town of Lexington
Transporta?on Advisory Commi?ee
th
Minutes for the mee?ng of April 16, 2024 beginning at 7:30 pm, held remotely
via Zoom.
Members present: Vinita Verma (Chair) Kunal Botla, Nishanth Veeragandham,
Sally Castleman, Mark Andersen, Pamela Lyons
Liaisons: Melanie Thompson, Planning Board, Susan Barre?, Transporta?on
Manager Sudhir Jain, Council on Aging
We began with public comments. We received a le?er re: development of 182
Bedford Street. Melanie Thompson indicated that no applica?on has been
received as yet so it won’t come before the Planning Board for some ?me.
The Transporta?on Advisory Commi?ee voted 6 to 0 to approve the minutes for
thth
the mee?ngs of March 11, and February 13, 2024.
The Town received $372,489 from the MBTA for the period of March 2024 to June
2028. This comes to 81k to 90k per year. This is an INCREASE over our last
appropria?on ranging from 55k to 62k per year. We were told we did not qualify
for cash dollars for vehicles. Ironically the feds prefer to fund vehicles for seniors
and people with disabili?es only while the state (and TAC) wants everyone to be
eligible.
Susan Barre? gave the March 2024 Lexpress report.
Kunal Botla confirmed that the $20 annual Lexpress pass will con?nue indefinitely.
Susan Barre? described the RFP process. We need both the vehicles and services
for Lexpress. Fuel might be pulled out as the town has a bulk fuel contract. We
need new vehicles that will go into service on July 1, 2025. Nishi Veeragandham
inquired if the vehicles could be retrofi?ed for LED signage. Susan described an
infotainment system that could be supported by adver?sing. Screen could have
text and audio to indicate bus stop/vehicular loca?on. Mark Andersen asked how
the new vehicles would fit into the town’s fossil fuel policy. Lexington’s policy is
that it is okay to buy standard vehicles is no evehicle is suitable. Susan consults
with Maggie Peard (Lexington’s Sustainability Director) on a regular basis to
iden?fy vehicle candidates. Nothing out there appears to meet our requirements
as yet.
Susan described the Lexington Center Chare?e which would raise the bus lane in
Emery Park. This MIGHT involve moving Lexpress. Or it might now since the lane
would remain. And there’s no other suitable loca?on for Lexpress to go.
New Lexpress passes will be available in June.
Kunal suggested a le?er to the Select Board explaining that no evehicle is available
that meets our needs and does the SB need any further informa?on or has
guidance for us. As usual Pamela Lyons said to keep the le?er short.
Melanie noted that there would be a Planning Board hearing regarding 28
Merriam Street (when?) which will be a mul?-family development.
Sudhir Jain gave the COA liaison report. COA recently visited Brookhaven and the
town communica?ons director is sending out a survey to residents over 60. COA’s
next project will focus on making Lexington a demen?a friendly town.