HomeMy WebLinkAbout2017-05-11-LBAC-min
APPROVED MEETING MINUTES
Lexington Bicycle Advisory Committee
Thursday, May 11, 7 pm, Room 221, Lexington Community Center
Members Present: Peggy Enders (chair), Bob Hausslein (FoLB chair) John Frey, Bob
Dangel, Laurel Carpenter, Jennifer Melot, Carolyn Levi, George Gagliardi, Sandra Shaw
(Recreation Committee Liaison), Richard Canale (Planning Board Liaison), Joe Pato (Board of
Selectmen Liaison)
Members Absent: Mike Tabaczynski
1. Bob Dangel volunteered to take meeting minutes.
2. The April 2017 meeting minutes were approved.
3. Updates
Minuteman Bikeway signage will be installed this summer. One bidder; the cost will
be approximately $57K.
Dave Cannon responded to the Committee’s request for a re-evaluation of the 100
per cent design for the Bikeway access ramp at Maple Street.He agreed that the
request for a curb cut closer to the bridge “is a reasonable request and should be
able to be accommodated.” With respect to the request to modify the planting plan
on the Bikeway side of the owner’s fence, he wrote: “…We feel that the will be no
operational or maintenance issues with the plan shown. That being said, the landscaping
can be modified. However the Owner of 11 Byron ave will have to be involved with any
modification.”
4. BWB Week Planning
Lexington Bike Forum (Monday, May 15): Peggy said that Richard Canale will
moderate the evening with Michelle Ciccolo, Pete Sutton, and Richard Fries as
presenters.
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Bike Smart (Saturday, May 13) – Peggy said that 25 4 and 5 graders have already
signed up and there is a waiting list. Carolyn and Sandra are on board to help; two
leaders have been hired (Pat Bibbins and Jared Powell), and two police officers
(Officers Crayton and Hsu) will also help lead the program. A bike maintenance
workshop is on the same day – Galen Mook will again run this program.
The Commuter Breakfast (Friday morning, May 19) will include a lot of good
breakfast treats (including pastries from Artistry on the Green) and information
tables. Bike to Work convoys plan to stop, and Galen Mook will host a bike
maintenance area outside the Depot. Sam Doran will lead a walking tour of
Lexington’s Bikeway and railroad history.
5. Bicycle Accommodations and Paving Plan: David Kucharsky provided the Committee
with the DPW paving plan for this season and recommended bike accommodations.
The Committee agreed to review the proposed plan at another session. The Hayes and
Fletcher Street markings were part of a traffic calming package approved by the TSG.
Jennifer asked about the absence of Hartwell Avenue on the list, as it is a good
candidate for marking maintenance and its popularity as a bike route for commuters.
She said that the problem with potholes continues. Laurel talked about the proposal for
bike lanes on Watertown Street and the concerns of abutters with respect to parking on
that street.
6. Board of Selectmen Goal Setting: Joe Pato explained how the input from committees is
used by the BoS during its goal setting summit, a two- to five-year horizon planning
process. He said that the list of issues “is trimmed before we see it,” that of 150 items
reviewed by Town staff, perhaps 30 are given serious discussion by the Board in their
discussions. The Board ranks the issues in terms of priority.
With respect to LBAC input in 2016 (i.e., asking for a Bicycle Plan as an outcome of any
comprehensive planning process; aspiring toward Silver level Bicycle Friendly
Community status; and approving a DPW line item request for roadway bicycle
infrastructure), Richard Canale suggested the Committee continue to pursue these
themes and to ask the Selectmen to “budget for things we want.” He encouraged the
Committee to reiterate that one outcome of the forthcoming comprehensive planning
process should be an explicit Bicycle Plan.
Since at least one member of the Board of Selectmen would like to strive for Gold Bike
Friendly Community status, the Committee should outline what that would require in
terms of program improvements. For example, any Gold level town needs to have in
place a sustainable bicycle safety education program for children and adults. What are
characteristics of such a program, its scope and budget? What is tie-in with Safe
Routes to Schools?
7. Liaison Reports: Sandra Shaw said that Peter Coleman is working closely with the
Committee to organize the Bike Smart program, being held at the Community Center.
Richard Canale said that an advisory group has formed for the Comprehensive Plan;
the process will be overseen by the Planning Department with help from a hired
facilitator for public outreach. Joe Pato said that the BoS has voted to implement the 25
mph statutory speed limit; signs will be installed starting in September. He also
mentioned that the 20/20 vision plan will be early input to the master planning process.
There was some discussion about the varying speed limits on Spring Street.
8. Other Business: Peggy talked about the map being developed to provide bike route
information for Zagster bike share renters; the 128 business council hired BikAbout to
produce the map. The Committee has been asked to provide input, and Peggy has
asked Mike to lead that process in June.
Richard mentioned that the MMBW extension to Concord is on the TIP for 2022, the
cost is estimated at ~ $3 million, but with addition of Route 62 underpass, has increased
to $7 million and may delay the date further.
The meeting was adjourned.
Record of the Discussions of the Friends of Lexington Bikeways/Bike Lexington
1. The Treasurer’s Report was given. Bob Hausslein also provided snow plowing costs for
this past season ($5400) and compared it with past years ($4000 in 2012-13; $3600 in
2013-14); $9000 in 2014-15; $2100 in 2015-16).
2. Bob Hausslein talked about the Saturday, May 6, Bikeway cleanup and garlic mustard
pull. During the cleanup, it was apparent that a fence is needed west of Bow Street to
retain trash on the upwind side.
3. The Saturday Bikeway count is being moved to Saturday, May 20.
4. Members volunteered to help with Discovery Day on May 17; the Committee will share
a table with GCC. Peggy said that the law firm Breakstone, White and Gluck has once
again donated 80 helmets to give to kids who attend Discovery Day. Jennifer promised
to look into the cost of rear-view mirror stickers.
5. Bob Hausslein said that the Bike Corral will be scheduled on the second Tuesday of
each month for 5 months; coupons will again be provided to bike parkers. It was
suggested that a sign be made that directs cyclists to parking from opposite side of the
market set-up.
Recorder: Bob Dangel
Editor: Peggy Enders