HomeMy WebLinkAbout1991-08-08-TAC-min.pdf Transportation Advisory Committee
Minutes
August 8 1991
Present W Mix, S Castleman, S Arnold, L Andrews, C Sonduck, P Burke
E Gibbs, B Ossman
1 Emery Park Improvements Members met in LEXPRESS driveway to see present
conditions and discuss proposed changes Viewed benches and trash receptacle
being recommended by Lexington Center Committee(LCC) , presently on Mass Ave
sidewalk
At Town Office Building, LCC member Bob Ossman gave Committee an overview
of how he came to work on proposal , described present conditions at Emery Park
LEXPRESS safety concerns, looked at overall use of Depot Square and Emery Park,
and talked about preliminary long range plans for improvements to area
LCC is recommending four benches, two trash receptacles and brick sidewalk
set in stonedust so the brick can be relocated if necessary to conform with
future changes to the park Bench waiting area will be situation to left of
present benches toward center of driveway curve The plans recommended by LCC
and Design Advisory Comm include removal of large hemlock tree (to free up view
of Depositor's Trust Building from Mass Ave ) and relocation of ballards and
chains to the rear perimeter of sidewalk waiting area Labor will be performed
by DPW Before any work can be done, a survey will he done and construction
drawings completed by Town engineers
Proposal needs to be approved by Historic Districts Commission B Ossman
and P Burke gave informal presentation to HDC on August 7 and requested that
TAC's application for changes to Emery Park be on the formal agenda for their
September 4 meeting Plans and specifications of actual materials to be used
(including sample of brick) will be necessary
Committee members asked questions about ballards and chains By removing
to behind benches, were we cutting LEXPRESS waiting area off from rest of park
LEXPRESS is
part of Town and waiting area should be integrated with park not
separated Ossman suggested maybe we could remove chains from ballards and leave
in present positions
What about shelter over new benches? One that holds 6 people? No present
provision for this Maybe something to work for in future plans
Several members questioned removal of hemlock tree Would it be removed
if LEXPRESS not doing improvements? Ossman explained how tree is considered out
of place in area, probably planted as Christmas tree years ago Way out of scale
for trees in park and blocks view of building considered focal point for Depot
Square, the bank or former railroad depot
Question about cost of trash receptacles and why not less expensive ones
It was agreed that this question had been discussed thoroughly by various Town
N
T A C Meeting Minutes - August 8 1991 Page 2
people before LCC came up with this model to match the benches Ossman explained
the mounting of the base is appropriate Agreed not to pursue
There was some discussion about process of presenting to Selectmen, etc
Committee approved spending FY91 funds to proceed with plans as soon as possible
P Burke was advised to notify Town Manager of TAC's recommendation to expend up
to $8,602 50, representing 4 teak benches $1 ,800, 2 trash receptacles $1 , 102 50,
Boston City Pavers bricks $4,200 and concrete mix $1 ,500
2 Marketing P Burke will be working on school class schedules for LHS and
middle schools School calendar wallet cards also C Sonduck to investigate
cable advertising Direct mail coupon--P Burke to get data on previous
campaigns and have for next meeting Contractor's presentation--see separate
sheet attached
3 School busing Little can be done to accommodate students until school bus
routes are finalized at end of August P Burke reported School Dept expects
approx 1000 students to buy bus tickets P Burke to follow up
4 Waltham Bus Connection Contractor reported MBTA may give funds through
experimental program, Waltham will match it, possibly Belmont, Bentleys, Fernald
E Gibbs will put together two options one simple, one complex S Arnold
indicated she would drive route with E Gibbs on Saturday to get and give input
5 Vehicle Update Contractor indicated recurring brake problems with this
model Also, had to replace two transmissions S Castleman suggested letter
go to manufacturer from town or committee
6 Accessibility Recommendation from Town Counsel expected soon
7 New Chairman Nominations were opened up and Sara Arnold was elected new
chairman W Mix offered to serve as co-chairman
8 Condolences A card was circulated for late member Bill Murphy's family
A donation will be sent to the Am Cancer Society in his name
9 Next meeting A meeting is scheduled for August 26 particularly to discuss
school busing, Waltham connection and marketing
P Burke
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A - CONNOISSEUR TRANSPORTATION SERVICES
NOBODY CAN DO BETTER WHAT WE DO BEST
800-283-2282
LEXPRESS
MEETING NOTES
RIDERSHIP
1 Current
2. Past
3.What type of future
4 Pass vs. Fares
II. COUNCIL ON AGING
1 Should go and speak with them regularly.
2.We donate a bus for 4 trips a year 2-5 hours to help introduce service.
3.Give flyers at lunch program and leave in Center
4. In Senior Section of paper place ad :Picture of bus driver says next stop seniorlunch
III. SCHOOL DEPARTMENT
1 1 See map of busing limits
2. Pass sales are up 56%, before all the monsters return from summer.
3. Route 6
4 Put a map in the paper of the schools and highlight the bus used.The parents can
see the options and the Town offers an alternative to the nightmare created.
5.Additional morning and afternoon service/refund passes purchased????
6. Late bus alternate
IV. BUS REPORT
1 Operating,length,time and other concerns
2.Maintenance
3. Inspections
4. Handicap
V. FUEL CHARGES
1 Cost per gallon
2.Allowed tax credit per gallon
3.Actual cost
4.Added usage with extended routes
' d
A - CONNOISSEUR TRANSPORTATION SERVICES
NOBODY CAN DO BETTER WHAT WE DO BEST
800-283-2282
LEXPRESIi ,,
MEETING NOTES k,
VI. MARKETING
1 Community awareness/Ridership
2.Rider of the week (free ticket)
3.Why I like to ride LEXPRESS contest(Community involvement)
4. Extra service for Concerts and community events
5. Give LEXPRESS a try BANNERS for the buses
6. Saturday service in senior villages:Announce
7 Promote local center business usage and special pass
8. Lexpress ticket as Gifts for Birthdays, Holidays and other
9. Good will gestures to the riders.They will pass along how wonderful and calfric.'.
10. Promote pass/ticket sales to business for transportation to work
11 Raffle:Lexpress ticket, Pauline will dean your house,and many more ,
12. LEXPRESS THEME DAY
VII. ROUTE 7
1 Reason for new routes
2.Places the new routes will open up
3.How it will impact the current system
4 Options for the routes
5.Towns involvement
6. Funding
7 Administrations u.
8. Fare collections
9. MBTA -'
10.Waltham 4-4
11 Belmont
12. DPU
13.Starting date - l
14 Times of Routes,days
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