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Home My WebLink About1991-04-04-TAC-min.pdf{ Transportation Advisory Committee Minutes - April 4 1991 Present William Mix, Sara Arnold, Carole Sonduck, Nick Santosuosso, Alison Green, Fred Rosenberg, Pauline Burke, John Frey 1 Depot Square Improvements Design Advisory Committee Chairman John Frey addressed the committee relative to possible improvements to the Depot Square/Emery Park area Frey had been contacted by Coordinator Pauline Burke at the suggestion of the Town Manager in order to develop TAC recommendations to possibly use funds left in the FY'91 budget which could reach up to $30,000 to upgrade the LEXPRESS driveway and bench area Frey gave the background on a study done by a DAC subcommittee which was headed by Don Olson While various town boards were sent a questionnaire, TAC apparently did not receive one It was agreed TAC has a definite interest--the LEXPRESS driveway area Frey spoke about the short-term plans (benches, trash receptacles), and long-term plans (design improvements involving creating a sidewalk around perimeter of Emery Park, trees, plantings, etc ) being developed by the DAC, Lexington Center Committee and Friends of Lexington Center Frey indicated if funding was available, we should be able to initiate some improvements Several committee members responded that they could not support politically as this was probably not the year to spend money, if safety issue is involved, could possibly support spending part of funds Aside from spending money, was left that TAC will work with DAC, maybe go to DAC meeting 4/9 Burke to get ideas and cost estimates from DPW 2 Town Meeting Article 4 to be taken up May 20 Bill Mix will be here Chairman's presentation should include cost, ridership and new contractor and be annual report based on what happened past year See minutes of last meeting about Lance's evaluation Don't stress student usage, stress clean air act Don't want to raise fares again, large fare increase last year, however, TAC looking to simplify fare structure Can we charge Senior Citizens more than half regular fare? Burke will check with MBTA and have data for fare structure. Handouts and overheads should be ready for next meeting 3 School Busing Issue Carole Sonduck reported that she, Sara Arnold and Eric Gibbs met with Frank DiGiammarino from the School Department on April 2 There will be a two (2) mile across the board limit for busing next year, K-12 The $200 charge for busing within 2 miles for LHS and 1 1/2 miles for middle schools generated $31 ,000 this past year Next year will be $250 If LEXPRESS try to accommodate additional students, should we try pilot program in the spring? May be pointless because travel patterns already set at beginning of year Who are we targeting? LHS, middle, elementary? T A C Meeting Minutes - April 4 1991 Page 2 Should find out what Selectmen expect Sara A. will talk to J Smith to find out what she has in mind Is she interested in just saving the Town money? Or in just providing more LEXPRESS service? Both? Can we reroute early morning hours to serve schools? Contractor willing to put on extra vehicles Who pays for? No additional funds in budget has to pay for itself Sell new pass just for school busing in morning and tie in with use of LEXPRESS anytime Formula worked out indicated we would have to charge approximately $162 per student to cover cost of extra bus in morning No one addressed what happens in afternoon Committee supported exploring further, including legal issues, MBTA, DPU, contractual 4. Wheelchair Accessibility TAC will not take action until clear cut policy is received from MBTA Burke indicated she will be invited to meeting at MBTA sometime at end of May Committee indicated that was late for any action in FY92 but instructed Burke to attend meeting and get information Keep Town Manager informed about status and TAC's stand 5 Patriot's Day - Monday, April 15 Theme for bus LEXPRESS teaches freedom, independence, responsibility Any ideas and help welcome Only TAC 1 member around is Sara Arnold, Alison Green helping at student food stand, may be available some of time Streamers, balloons, signs Contractor will help 6 Discovery Day, May 25 Contractor will be involved in giveaway or raffle More next meeting 7 Publicity/Marketing Nick Santosuosso and P Burke will work on newspaper article Nick to get quotes from students, Pauline from other passengers Sara will contact Nancy Gordon and Liz Andrews about Letters to Editor 8 Next meeting at end of April 1 PDB