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Home My WebLink About2024-05-14-TAC-min May 14, 2024 Minutes Transportation Advisory Committee Town of Lexington, Massachusetts Location: Pursuant to the ............ ,!) M.ggL ig,U ��r, the meeting was held remotely by Zoom teleconferencing session open to the public following , , , ,gu, , I; ,,,,,p ,,,,,, ,y , u, , ft,;i, /.\.11.0 r V IgyC�on June 28, 2023. Scheduled time: 7:30 pm Members Present: Pamela Lyons (co-chair), Jonathan Schwarz, Kunal Botla, Sally Castleman, Mark Andersen, Nishanth Veeragandham. A quorum was present throughout the meeting. All votes were taken by a roll call vote. Members Absent: None. Liaisons Present: Susan Barrett, Town Transportation Manager; Melanie Thompson, Planning Board; Sebastian Fairbairn, Student Liaison. Liaisons Absent: Jill Hai, Select Board; Sudhir Jain, Council on Aging. Others Present: None. Pamela Lyons called the meeting to order at 7:32 pm and read the remote meeting authorization statement. Pam confirmed attendance by roll call; all attending remotely. Minutes A motion was made to approve draft meeting minutes for the April 16, 2024 meeting; it was approved with four (4) in favor, one (1) abstaining, and one (1) not present at that point. Public Comment There were no comments made. Goal Setting The Committee discussed a number of goal setting areas. Pam suggested commentary on developments in front of the Planning Board. Kunal suggested increased involvement in revising zoning and parking policies to encourage public transportation use and functionality; in addition to continuing the efforts already being made. Five goals were listed: (1) continue to support public transit, (2) comment on and be involved in new developments, (3) draft way forward to achieve committee goals, (4) work with town and state partners to improve public transit with capital improvements, (5) work with other committees and boards to further above goals. Roles and Responsibilities Following the departure of Chair Vinita Verma, tasks including managing the committee email address, minutes logging, and running meetings were discussed. Selecting a Chair, Vice-Chair, and Secretary was discussed. Pam suggested the committee restructure to be more focused on individual projects in town and follow throughout the process and make a final, brief recommendation. Mark asked clarifying questions about scope and role in terms of commenting to the Planning Board. Pam and Kunal discussed policy changes and catching up with nearby communities. Pam noted the importance and Melanie discussed the areas of projects the Planning Board is considering and potential projects that this method could be applied to. Pam noted commentary on planning projects would be a goal of the Committee with her as Chair. Mark made, and Sally seconded, a motion for Kunal Botla to be Chair, Pamela Lyons to be Vice-Chair, and Nishanth Veeragandham to be Secretary. Jill Hai continues to be liaison from the Select Board and Melanie Thompson from the Planning Board. Transportation Manager Update Susan updated the Committee on sales of the FY24 Limitless Pass, ridership of Lexpress, and the FY25 Pass. Susan discussed potential changes for Lexpress routes, taking effect in the fall. Susan informed the Committee of the Lexpress RFP, a grant of$116 thousand from MassDOT. Susan asked members interested in discussing routes to contact her to get more information; Sally and Kunal expressed interest. Liaison Updates • Select Board, Jill Hai: Jill was not present at the meeting. • Planning Board, Melanie Thompson: Informed the Committee of development currently or soon coming before the Planning Board; a Harwell zoning freeze. • Council on Aging, Sudhir Jain: Sudhir was not present at the meeting. • Student Liaison, Sebastian Fairbairn: Updated the Committee on the new LHS Project. Discussed meeting with the architect of the new high school and suggested public comment from the Committee. Future Meetings June 11, 2024 at 7 pm. Committee members were asked to email items for future agenda items. Adjournment The meeting was adjourned at 9:06 pm by a motion duly made, seconded, and approved unanimously by roll-call vote. Documents Referenced 1. May 14, 2024 Agenda, Transportation Advisory Committee, Town of Lexington o On file with the Town Clerk 2. Draft — Transportation Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes for April 16, 2024 o Attached to these minutes o Approved minutes on file with the Town Clerk Respectfully submitted, Kunal Botla R E C E I V E ID 1134 aii.n, May '1() 2024 ["OWN CLEiRiK Transportation Advisory Committee LEXINGTON MA Tuesday, May 14, 7:30 PM Conducted by Remote Participation* AGENDA 1. 7:30 — 7:40 Remote welcome statement & public comments 2. 7:40 — 7:45 Approve minutes 3. 7:45 — 8:05 Discuss TAC Goal Setting 4. 8:05 — 8:20 Review TAC's responsibilities and assigning chores • TAC email address • Filing minutes with Clerk • Determine minute takers/Secretary • How to comment on future development projects 5. 8:20 — 8:45 Transportation Manager's Update • Lexpress FY25 Pass, Publicity process/updates • Transportation Services updates (ridership, etc.) • Lexpress Route, Schedule updates/process • RFP updates/process • Event & misc updates 6. 8:45 — 8:55 Liaison Reports (Select Board, Planning Board, Council on Aging & LHS) 7. 8:55 — 9:00 Set next meeting date *Remote participation details Please click link to join Zoom webinar https://Iexingtonma.zoom.us/j/82022946063 Or call viaTelephone: +1 646 931 3860 US (*9 to raise hand by phone). Town of Lexington Transportation Advisory Committee Minutes for the meeting of April 16th, 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 Barrett, Transportation Manager Sudhir Jain, Council on Aging We began with public comments. We received a letter re: development of 182 Bedford Street. Melanie Thompson indicated that no application has been received as yet so it won't come before the Planning Board for some time. The Transportation Advisory Committee voted 6 to 0 to approve the minutes for the meetings of March 11t", and February 13t", 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 appropriation 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 disabilities only while the state (and TAC) wants everyone to be eligible. Susan Barrett gave the March 2024 Lexpress report. See attachment here: Kunal Botla confirmed that the $20 annual Lexpress pass will continue indefinitely. Susan Barrett 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 retrofitted for LED signage. Susan described an infotainment system that could be supported by advertising. Screen could have text and audio to indicate bus stop/vehicular location. 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 identify vehicle candidates. Nothing out there appears to meet our requirements as yet. Susan described the Lexington Center Charette 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 location for Lexpress to go. New Lexpress passes will be available in June. Kunal suggested a letter to the Select Board explaining that no evehicle is available that meets our needs and does the SB need any further information or has guidance for us. As usual Pamela Lyons said to keep the letter short. Melanie noted that there would be a Planning Board hearing regarding 28 Merriam Street (when?) which will be a multi-family development. Sudhir Jain gave the COA liaison report. COA recently visited Brookhaven and the town communications director is sending out a survey to residents over 60. COA's next project will focus on making Lexington a dementia friendly town.